Trust your heart.

     People are encouraged all the time to follow their heart.  There used to be a PBS public service commercial that reminded kids, that no matter where you are, there is always someone you can trust.  Yourself.  When we follow our heart, many times we are acting upon emotions.  When have we ever made good choices when deciding with our feelings? Anger, envy, lust, these things come forth from the heart.  Matthew 15:19 states, "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:"   Jeremiah would add to this, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9)  If we can't trust our own decisions who can we trust?  The answer is found Jeremiah 17:10. "I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins . . ."  We can trust the LORD and His Word!
     But let's be honest, how many times do we ask God for direction when we make our choices?  Most of the time we try to run our lives without giving one thought to what God would want.  People make life altering choices that can impact them for the remainder of their earthly life without consulting the One who gave them that life! And then, when we find ourselves in a mess we want to ask, "WHY GOD?!"
     Let me give you an example:  Today is "Super Tuesday."  All across this country people are heading to the polls to vote for a presidential candidate.  Some are going to vote for a candidate because they are angry at Washington.  Some are going to vote because they feel their selection is the most compassionate.  Before you cast that vote on an emotional foundation, can I encourage you to ask, "What would God think about me and my reasons for voting for this person?"  Will you consider Biblical principle before you cast your vote? (For help, note Psalms 12:8 "The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.")
     But this doesn't just apply to presidential elections!  Christian, before you get that tattoo (which will remain with you for life!)  have you consulted God?  Accountable adult, before you take that next social drink, have you considered what God has to say on the subject?  Young person, before you give in to the emotion of passion, have you considered God's plan for sex?  Too often we follow the urges of the heart and not the Scripture that God has given to us.  Remember, God is not trying to take away from you wonderful experiences, He is trying to help you live a full life, and then welcome you into eternity. (Which can only happen if you are a child of God through the Blood of Jesus Christ - see earlier post on Find your own way to God.)
     I guess, to sum this all up; before you decide to do ANYTHING, see what God has to say about your choice.  If you aren't reading your Bible and consulting the LORD, you may find yourself in a heap of trouble! Don't follow your heart, follow God!