Guarding Your Heart: Seeking God's Guidance Over Feelings
Summary
### Summary
Today, we began a new series called "Bad Advice," and we tackled the common yet misleading advice of "Follow your heart." While this phrase is often portrayed as wise and empowering, it can be dangerous when applied to significant life decisions. The Bible tells us in Jeremiah that the heart is deceitful above all things. This means that our feelings, which are part of our heart, can lead us astray. However, the Bible also emphasizes the importance of guarding our hearts, as everything we do flows from it.
We explored the concept of the heart in biblical terms, which encompasses our mind, desires, and will. While feelings are not inherently bad, they are not a fruit of the Spirit. Instead, self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, and it is crucial to exercise it over our feelings. We looked at the life of David, a man after God's own heart, who was deeply emotional yet always turned back to God with a "yet"—acknowledging his feelings but reaffirming God's sovereignty.
David's example teaches us that it's not about denying our feelings but about placing them in the right context. We must acknowledge our emotions but also remember that God is enthroned above them. This leads us to the idea of not following our heart but seeking to have a pure heart, one that aligns with God's will. To achieve this, we need to guard our hearts by being selective about who and what we allow to influence us. We also need to find the heart of God, which often involves embracing brokenness and humility.
In conclusion, the key to navigating our feelings and making wise decisions is to put our faith in God above all else. By doing so, we can live a life that is stable and grounded, even when our emotions are turbulent.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Deceitfulness of the Heart: The Bible warns us that the heart is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9). This means our feelings can lead us astray, especially in significant life decisions. Instead of following our heart, we should seek God's guidance and wisdom. [02:33]
2. Feelings vs. Fruits of the Spirit: Feelings are not a fruit of the Spirit, but self-control is. While emotions are a natural part of our human experience, they should not dictate our actions. Exercising self-control helps us align our decisions with God's will rather than our fleeting emotions. [05:07]
3. David's Example of Emotional Honesty: David was an emotional person who often expressed his anguish and doubts to God. However, he always followed his emotional outbursts with a "yet," reaffirming God's sovereignty and goodness. This teaches us to be honest about our feelings but to place our trust in God. [08:58]
4. Guarding Your Heart: Guarding your heart means being selective about who and what you allow to influence you. Not everyone should have a backstage pass to your life. Trusted voices, guided by the Holy Spirit, should be the ones that speak into your heart and life. [17:01]
5. Finding the Heart of God: To keep a pure heart, we must seek the heart of God. This often involves embracing brokenness and humility. When we are broken, we are more open to God's shaping and molding, allowing Him to create something beautiful out of our lives. [22:31]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:14] - Worst Advice Ever
[02:33] - Follow Your Heart: Good or Bad?
[03:53] - Biblical Perspective on the Heart
[05:07] - Feelings Aren't a Fruit of the Spirit
[06:19] - David: An Emotional Man After God's Heart
[07:44] - David's Emotional Honesty
[08:58] - The Power of "Yet"
[10:23] - Acknowledging Feelings but Trusting God
[11:46] - Following the Heart of God
[13:16] - Replacing Feelings with Faith
[14:27] - The Role of Worry and Success
[15:45] - The Rollercoaster of Emotions
[17:01] - Guarding Your Heart
[18:17] - The Pancake Story: Guarding Against Unwanted Opinions
[19:45] - Trusted Voices vs. Unwanted Opinions
[21:09] - Finding the Heart of God
[22:31] - Embracing Brokenness
[23:58] - Spiritual Maturity Through Brokenness
[25:35] - Prayer and Invitation to Accept Jesus
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Jeremiah 17:9 - "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?"
2. Proverbs 4:23 - "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."
3. Psalm 51:10 - "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Jeremiah 17:9, what is the nature of the heart, and why is it considered deceitful?
2. In Proverbs 4:23, why does the Bible emphasize guarding your heart, and what does it mean that everything you do flows from it?
3. How does David express his emotional honesty in Psalm 22, and what does he ultimately reaffirm about God? [08:58]
4. What does Psalm 51:10 reveal about David's desire for his heart, and how does this align with the sermon’s message on seeking a pure heart?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the sermon suggest that "follow your heart" is bad advice, especially in significant life decisions? [02:33]
2. How does the concept of self-control as a fruit of the Spirit contrast with the idea of following one's feelings? [05:07]
3. What does David's use of the word "yet" in his psalms teach us about handling our emotions and faith? [08:58]
4. How can guarding your heart help in making wise decisions, and what practical steps can be taken to achieve this? [17:01]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when following your heart led you astray. How might seeking God's guidance have changed the outcome? [02:33]
2. Identify an area in your life where feelings often take precedence over self-control. What steps can you take to exercise more self-control in that area? [05:07]
3. Think about a recent emotional struggle. How can you incorporate the "yet" principle, acknowledging your feelings but reaffirming God's sovereignty? [08:58]
4. Who are the trusted voices in your life that help guard your heart? How can you ensure that these voices align with God's will? [17:01]
5. What are some practical ways you can guard your heart from negative influences this week? Consider both people and media. [17:01]
6. Reflect on a moment of brokenness in your life. How did it bring you closer to God, and how can you embrace brokenness as a path to spiritual growth? [22:31]
7. How can you actively seek the heart of God in your daily life? Identify one specific action you can take this week to align your heart more closely with His. [21:09]
Devotional
### Day 1: The Deceitfulness of the Heart
Description: The Bible warns us that the heart is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9). This means our feelings can lead us astray, especially in significant life decisions. Instead of following our heart, we should seek God's guidance and wisdom. Our hearts, which encompass our mind, desires, and will, can often be swayed by emotions that are fleeting and unreliable. This is why it is crucial to seek God's wisdom and guidance in our decisions rather than relying solely on our feelings. [02:33]
Bible Passage: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 'I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.'" (Jeremiah 17:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent decision you made based on your feelings. How might seeking God's guidance have changed the outcome? What steps can you take to seek His wisdom in future decisions?
### Day 2: Feelings vs. Fruits of the Spirit
Description: Feelings are not a fruit of the Spirit, but self-control is. While emotions are a natural part of our human experience, they should not dictate our actions. Exercising self-control helps us align our decisions with God's will rather than our fleeting emotions. The Bible emphasizes the importance of self-control as a fruit of the Spirit, which helps us navigate our emotions and make decisions that honor God. [05:07]
Bible Passage: "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." (Titus 2:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where your emotions often take control. How can you practice self-control in this area to align your actions with God's will?
### Day 3: David's Example of Emotional Honesty
Description: David was an emotional person who often expressed his anguish and doubts to God. However, he always followed his emotional outbursts with a "yet," reaffirming God's sovereignty and goodness. This teaches us to be honest about our feelings but to place our trust in God. David's life shows us that it is not about denying our emotions but about placing them in the right context, acknowledging them while reaffirming our faith in God's sovereignty. [08:58]
Bible Passage: "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God." (Psalm 42:11, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by your emotions. How can you follow David's example by acknowledging your feelings but reaffirming your trust in God?
### Day 4: Guarding Your Heart
Description: Guarding your heart means being selective about who and what you allow to influence you. Not everyone should have a backstage pass to your life. Trusted voices, guided by the Holy Spirit, should be the ones that speak into your heart and life. By guarding our hearts, we protect ourselves from negative influences and ensure that our decisions and actions are aligned with God's will. [17:01]
Bible Passage: "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." (Proverbs 4:23, ESV)
Reflection: Consider the influences in your life. Are there any that you need to distance yourself from to better guard your heart? How can you invite more trusted, godly voices into your life?
### Day 5: Finding the Heart of God
Description: To keep a pure heart, we must seek the heart of God. This often involves embracing brokenness and humility. When we are broken, we are more open to God's shaping and molding, allowing Him to create something beautiful out of our lives. Seeking God's heart means aligning our desires and will with His, often through a process of humility and surrender. [22:31]
Bible Passage: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." (Psalm 51:17, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt broken or humbled. How did this experience draw you closer to God? How can you continue to seek His heart in your daily life?
Quotes
1. "Follow your heart. That sounds like good advice, doesn't it? Sounds like, oh, that's so sweet. Follow your heart. I love that advice. I'm here to tell you why this is actually really bad advice. In fact, let's look at this. Okay. This is what the Bible, because we always going to start at the Bible, right? What does the Bible say about this? This is what the Bible says about the heart. You want to read this with me? This is exciting. In Jeremiah, it says, the heart is deceitful, deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? So in a world where we're being taught, follow your heart. The Bible says the heart is deceitful. Can anybody relate to that? The heart can kind of lead you astray a little bit." [02:33] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Feelings aren't a fruit of the Spirit. Okay, what do I mean by that? I mean that there's fruits of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, right? Feelings, not on there. You know what is on there? Self-control. Okay, your feelings are great sometimes, and yet feelings can be deceitful. Feelings can lead you astray. Feelings can take you the wrong direction. So I want to struggle with this today and talk about this with you. This has been such an interesting thing for me in my life. I would call myself a recovering emotional addict, okay? So I used to feel like if I felt it, it might not have been the right thing for me. And I'm like, it must be true, so I got to go with it." [05:07] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "David cries out to God. He says, my God, why have you forsaken me? But then read what he says in the next verse down, still in Psalm 22. It says, You are enthroned as the Holy One. Pause there. Enthroned, meaning sitting on the throne, meaning I feel these things, but they're not on the throne. You are. God, you are sovereign. My feelings aren't a fruit of the Spirit. My feelings are just indicators, but you are the one that sits in the throne of my life. You get the driver's seat. Yet, you are the one Israel praises. In you, our ancestors put their trust. They trusted and you delivered them. To you, they cried out and were saved. In you, they trusted and were not put to shame. Yet. Yet. Yet." [08:58] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The goal isn't to not feel, but to remember the yet in the midst of the feelings. What does that mean? That means go ahead and acknowledge it. I feel this way. I'm disappointed. God, I feel like I'm in anguish. God, I don't understand why you would let me go through this yet. Your ways are higher than my ways. Yet you are God and I am not. Yet you are good. That makes the difference. That's how we can become a person that has the heart of God. Don't deny those feelings, but find the yet." [10:23] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Faith isn't even faith until it has to be. What do I mean by that? Well, it doesn't take a lot of faith for me to walk on this stage and believe it's going to hold me. If there's one or two more hurricanes and I keep eating the way I did, I don't know. But for now, okay, I walk on this stage knowing it's going to hold me. That's not a big stretch of faith. But it does take faith to look at a circumstance that does not seem like it's going to work out and say, I still put you above my feelings, God. If the diagnosis is as bad, if the job falls through, if the relationship falls to the pits, to still say, but God, you are first. That's putting feelings behind faith where they belong." [14:27] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Worry is just as much of a self-focus issue as pride. And worry puts feelings in the place of faith. Again, we're not denying things can be scary, but it's putting me at the center of that. Worry can be hard in those situations. I was also going to say that sometimes when we're successful, that might be just as hard because you get a false sense of security, don't you? Anybody living in this day and age can know that. Things can change on a dime, right? You don't know. And there's nothing to put your trust in except the word of God." [15:45] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "The second thing is this. We acknowledge the places we put feelings in the place of faith. The second one is this. You got to guard your heart. We read this already. Guard your heart, right? Guard your heart. What does that mean? What does that look like? Well, a lot of times I think for us, it can look like, allowing certain people to have access to our heart that were never meant to have access there. What do I mean? I mean, it's okay for everybody to have a ticket to the show, but not everybody gets like a backstage pass. What do I mean? I mean, you get to choose and sift the voices that get residence in your head." [17:01] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "I don't want you to mistake this message and think, well, those feelings I have, are those bad? No, there's some feelings you're feeling because your spirit is being touched to do something, to see something, to find the heart of God and to make a difference. How do we discern those things? Well, if I do these things that I feel, is it going to make my life better? Or is it going to make others' lives better? I can make my life better. I can make a litmus test for that, right? We find the heart of God. What does David further say in Psalm 51? I love this because we could take so much from this. It says, my sacrifice, oh God, is a spirit, a broken and contrite heart. There's that word again. You, God, will not despise." [21:09] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "See, being broken isn't bad. Being broken is the start of healing. Scripture says, a broken spirit, a contrite, a broken heart, God will not despise. One of my spiritual mentors used to say, you know, I think when we talk about spiritual maturity, we think of it as levels. Like I'm going to get more spiritually mature. And then I know more scripture. And then I'm better at not sinning. And then all these things. He goes, getting closer to God is getting more broken. Why? Because when I get closer to God, how can I bring anything? How can I compare except to see that he is holy and I am not? He is God and I am not. He is powerful and I am not." [23:58] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "The broken things in your life, you've despised them. No, those may be the very things God is going to use to make a difference in your life and in others' lives through you. Sometimes the greatest breakthroughs I've had have come on the other side of pushing through pain when he was all I had, he was my reality, he was my very next breath. We have to guard our heart, not feel our feelings, but to live in the yet. To pray, God created me a clean heart. I want you to use me. And I know in my sinful self, you can't, but he can shape broken things. He is the potter, right? What does a potter do? He shapes the clay into something beautiful. He can do that in us. He can do that through us." [25:35] (64 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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