Wicked Hearts

Today's devotion comes from a concept we talk a lot about on the football field. We live in a world that will continuously tell us that our feelings are always valid and that we need to follow our hearts (feelings). The Bible says otherwise!

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?" -Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV

Your feelings and your "heart" are going to point you to what is comfortable and safe, dare I include that your heart will guide you toward sin. I know mine does. Feelings and desires on their own will lead to your destruction. On the football field it's like this: Human nature is to avoid danger and conflict. Football is full of both so, we must train ourselves not to listen to our feelings or allow our feelings to dictate our next action. We teach our athletes to be strong and courageous.(Joshua 1:9)

Off the field it is like this: As a husband and father, I have responsibilities to provide and protect my family. There are days, even seasons, where I'd rather focus on myself. The world often tells us to do this very things. The Bible contradicts this in 1 Timothy 5:8 saying "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."

Above and beyond just the basic necessities of life, I believe we are called to much more and given this encouragement by the Apostle Paul. "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him [Christ Jesus] who loved us." (Romans 8:37 NKJV). We should be conquering each day instead of just surviving or just getting through it.

When faced with worldly "wisdom" to follow your heart, pause and reflect on these verses. We'll continue this discussion tomorrow with some more practical steps and verses to guide us despite our wicked hearts.