Is It Holy Spirit - or Is It Your Heart?
For quite some time, Holy Spirit has been prompting me to write about the dangers of self-prophesying, or as some call it, ‘soul prophecy’, which I will soon begin writing, but for now… this.
There is a very gray area with prophesying over ourselves and not holding the word up to others for counsel and accountability. Why? Because sometimes it’s honestly hard to know if what we are hearing for ourselves is Holy Spirit or the desires of our soul, thus ‘soul prophecy’.
We are warned in Jeremiah that the heart is deceitful above all things… [17:9]
In Mark 7, Jesus tells us what comes out of a person is what defiles them because it comes from the heart - "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man." [Mar 7:21-23 NKJV]
As followers of Jesus, we know that our hearts/inner man is being renewed every single day through the revelation of Him – as we get to know Him through the power of Holy Spirit; but I will say this, just because we feel, sense, or hear something in our inner man, doesn’t mean it is Holy Spirit speaking. There are a lot of fleshly desires woven within as we grow spiritually. This is why we have accountability in our lives.
This morning during my study in Jeremiah, a phrase jumped out at me and Holy Spirit then led me to search it out. I believe this is just another confirmation in what He has been telling me.
The phrase was:
“each one follows the dictates of his own evil heart…”
I followed the scripture prompts in my study Bible and realized Jeremiah said this often…
“…they follow the dictates of their own evil hearts” [3:17]
“…we will walk according to our own plans, and obey the dictates of our own evil hearts…” [18:12]
“…walks according to the dictates of his own heart…” [23:17]
“…who follow the dictates of their hearts…” [13:10]
“…followed the counsel and dictates of their own evil hearts, and went backward and not forward…” [7:24]
The dictates of their own evil hearts? What exactly does this mean?
Dictates is the word sherirut in Hebrew, meaning:
· Imaginations/Intent
· Lusts
· Twisted thoughts
· Stubbornness and hardness of heart
· Rigid, resistant, and unyielding
This describes a person whose inner will has become fixed in its own direction and understanding.
Sherirut is not just bad thoughts and imagination; it is an unyielding inward disposition producing a CHOSEN course of action.
Sherirut is not just determination; it is a determination governed by the self-directed heart rather than a heart submitted to YHWH.
This is a very dangerous position to be in. We are warned throughout Scripture that we are NOT to follow our heart. Let’s take a look:
He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But whoever walks wisely will be delivered. [Pro 28:26]
There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death. [Pro 14:12]
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But he who heeds counsel is wise. [Pro 12:15]
A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;
He rages against all wise judgment. A fool has no delight in understanding,
But in expressing his own heart. [Pro 18:1-2]
Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety. [Pro 11:14]
And it (a tassel with blue thread reminding them of their covenant with YHWH) shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after. [Num 15:39]
In Deuteronomy 29:19, Moses warns about the person who hears God’s covenant words yet blesses himself in his own heart and effectively determines, “I will have peace, even though I follow the dictates of my own heart…” Following our ‘heart’ can give us a sense of false peace; this is why all things must be filtered through the Truth of the Word, the fire of Holy Spirit, and wise counsel.
As the Body of Christ, the ambassadors of Jesus Christ on this earth, the ONLY ONE we are to follow is Holy Spirit, Who was sent to guide us…
John 16:13; Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:25 (and many more)
Lastly, let’s look at the consequences or the fruit that comes with following our own heart:
· His grace lifts [Ps 81:12]
· We fall into covenant rebellion [Jer 11:8 – this is self-government apart from divine government]
· We walk in false peace [Deut 29:18-19]
· We become foolish [Prov 28:26; 12:15]
· Destructive outcomes [Prov 14:12]
· We will fall [ Prov 11:14]
· Plans will fail [Prov 15:22; 19:20-21]
· We become spiritually unfaithful [Num 15:39]
· Self-deception becomes our portion [Jer 17:9]
“Walking this way brings on a false confidence and pride that says, “I know better…””
Prov 3:5-8 tells us:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.
We must learn to take our personal will, what we hear, sense, feel, and desire to Him. This is our own understanding, the dictates of our own heart, what our flesh desires to follow. We must CHOOSE to lay it on the altar – let Him put His hands into it and in that sacrifice, He will direct us. This is to walk in the fear of the Lord.
I love that we have the promise that when we follow His lead instead of our own heart; that choice becomes health and strength in our bodies, not just our spirit man.
Here’s the bottom line:
I am not at all condemning having desires, instincts, ideas, or conviction. What I am saying is that there is a great danger when our heart becomes the final authority in our lives. When “this is what I feel/want/think” becomes stronger than “What has YHWH said, and am I still willing to be corrected?”
I want to encourage you today…
Allow Holy Spirit to lead you. Listen to the voice behind you saying, “This is the way; walk in it”.
Allow wise counsel in your life. Not counsel that you think will agree with you or be your “yes to all” person… I’m talking wise, spiritual counsel that will hold you accountable to THE WORD, not their opinions.
Seek first the Kingdom of YHWH; when you do, your heart will be led by His Spirit and your paths will be straight.
Remember, we are never told in the Word to follow our hearts; we are called to give YHWH our hearts and to follow Holy Spirit.
Time to Reflect
Where might I be allowing what I want, feel, or believe to become the final authority instead of submitting it to Scripture, Holy Spirit, and wise counsel?
Is there something I believe God has spoken to me that I have been unwilling to let trusted, spiritually mature people examine or challenge? Why?
What would it look like for me to place my desires, plans, and personal “words” back on the altar and genuinely pray, “YHWH, correct me if I have heard You wrong”?