THE FOOLISHNESS OF FOLLOWING YOUR HEART
Read Proverbs 28:15-28
This morning let’s take a look at Proverbs 28:26, "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered."
Two related but different thoughts are at hand. The initial statement, "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool..." speaks to a fact that is often contradicted in the society in which we live. I don't know how many times I have heard people give this advice, "Just follow your heart." That is a frightening piece of advice in light of the words found in Jeremiah 17:9, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it." The heart is the seat of our mind, our emotions, and our will, each of which has been greatly skewed by the inherent sinfulness which resides in every person. To trust your own heart is foolish, and frequently will lead to disaster.
Rather, what we should do is found in the latter portion of the verse, "...but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered." Godly wisdom comes from a mind directed by and surrendered to the principles found in God's Word. If you have a choice to make, depend upon the Lord to lead you in the process. James 1:5 states, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." There you have it! To trust your heart is foolish, to lean upon God's Word is wise. To order your life according to God's Word will deliver you from many pitfalls.
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
MEDITATIONS
1. Why is it improper to advise someone to “simply follow your heart”?
2. How might one’s heart deceive them?
3. How does one walk wisely?
4. What steps might you take in order to gain wisdom that you currently do not possess?