Notes
But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!
John 15:7
This is what the Lord says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord. They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land. “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things,and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?
Jeremiah 17:5-9
“Follow your heart” is one of the most common pieces of advice we hear, but Jesus never said that. What He actually said was to deny yourself and follow Him. The heart, when left to its own desires, can lead us astray. But when we remain connected to Jesus, He transforms our hearts and gives us direction. Jeremiah warns that when we rely on our emotions, we end up in dry, hopeless places. But when we trust God, we’re like trees planted by water–rooted, steady, and fruitful even in hard times. To learn how to follow Jesus rather than your heart, do these three things:
1) Learn to Study the Word
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Hebrews 4:12
God’s Word is our foundation. It teaches us truth and shows us when our feelings or choices aren’t aligned with God’s will. If we don’t know the Word, we can be tempted to believe in a version of Jesus created by culture or tradition instead of Scripture. Let God’s Word shape your life, not your feelings or preferences. Let Scripture renew your mind and transform your heart.
2) Align Yourself With God Through Prayer
Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.” When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open. So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again. Then he came to the disciples and said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Matthew 26:36-45
Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.
Matthew 6:9-13
Prayer is about more than presenting a list of requests. It realigns us with God’s will. Even Jesus, in deep anguish, prayed, “Not my will, but yours be done.” When we come to God with open hearts, prayer positions us to hear from Him and obey–even when it's difficult.
3) Get Involved With God’s Purpose
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2
God’s will isn’t discovered through feelings or instinct. It’s revealed through surrender–through giving our lives to Him, being transformed by His Word, and participating in His work. When we serve in the Church, live in community, and stay rooted in the mission of God, our hearts become aligned with His. God transforms us–not just for our sake, but for His glory and the good of others.
Group Questions
- In what ways have you heard or believed the message to “follow your heart”?
- Is there a verse or passage that has corrected or redirected you lately?
- How might God be calling you to realign your heart with His through prayer?
- Are you involved in God’s mission through the local church? If not, how can you begin?
Prayer
Thank you for being our anchor in a world that often tells us to follow our feelings. Help us to follow you instead. Teach us to love your Word, to hear your voice in prayer, and to find joy in your purpose. Shape our hearts to look more like yours each day.