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Don't Follow Your Heart: God's Ways Are Not Your Ways
“Follow your heart” is a creed embraced by billions. It’s a statement of faith in one of the great pop-cultural myths of our day — a gospel proclaimed in many of our stories, movies, and songs. Until you consider that your heart has sociopathic tendencies. Our hearts were never designed to be followed, but to be led. Our hearts were never meant to be gods in whom we believe, but to believe in God. This book contains 31 meditations for recalibrating your heart. It is a collection of helps for common heart problems. Because your biggest problems in life are heart problems. Jon Bloom will help you follow Jesus by resisting your heart’s errant predilections and directing it to do all God’s will.
196 pages, Paperback
First published November 6, 2015
122 people are currently reading
777 people want to read
About the author
Jon Bloom
18 books110 followersI serve as Author, Board Chair, and Co-founder at Desiring God and find it a great joy to help others believe and delight in Jesus Christ. I am deeply in love with my wife, Pam, adore my five children and most of the time feel affection for my naughty dog. We make our home in Minneapolis.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
March 29, 2017
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It is ironic how this book's title is in opposing with what our society teach us. Just by looking at TV or reading a book the main theme is follow your heart but the bible teach us that our hearts are deceitful. You will argue with me that this are just words in an old book but the truth is that our heart is full of bad thoughts . Whether if you judge a person in your heart or just have a selfish thought proves that your heart is dirty . If one of you say that is not true then my friend you are lying or you walk with Jesus in grace because we do alone do not have the control of changing our hearts.
This book is about how our heart can deceive us and how we can have a new heart. Only the ones that give their heart to God will find the true meaning of happiness.
It is ironic how this book's title is in opposing with what our society teach us. Just by looking at TV or reading a book the main theme is follow your heart but the bible teach us that our hearts are deceitful. You will argue with me that this are just words in an old book but the truth is that our heart is full of bad thoughts . Whether if you judge a person in your heart or just have a selfish thought proves that your heart is dirty . If one of you say that is not true then my friend you are lying or you walk with Jesus in grace because we do alone do not have the control of changing our hearts.
This book is about how our heart can deceive us and how we can have a new heart. Only the ones that give their heart to God will find the true meaning of happiness.
May 30, 2024
One of the best devotionals I’ve read. My favorite quotes from the daily meditations were:
“God designed your emotions to be gauges, not guides. They’re meant to report to you, not rule you. The pattern of your emotions will give you a reading on where your hope is, because they are wired into what you believe and value—and how much”
“His answers frequently do not at first look like answers. They look like trouble. They look like loss, disappointment, affliction, conflict, sorrow, and increased selfishness. They cause deep soul wrestling and expose sins and doubts and fears. They are not what we expect, and we do not see how they correspond to our prayers… if we ask God’s nearness because we believe that it is good for us to be near to God, what should we expect to receive? Answers that break our hearts, for God is near to the brokenhearted.”
“God designed your emotions to be gauges, not guides. They’re meant to report to you, not rule you. The pattern of your emotions will give you a reading on where your hope is, because they are wired into what you believe and value—and how much”
“His answers frequently do not at first look like answers. They look like trouble. They look like loss, disappointment, affliction, conflict, sorrow, and increased selfishness. They cause deep soul wrestling and expose sins and doubts and fears. They are not what we expect, and we do not see how they correspond to our prayers… if we ask God’s nearness because we believe that it is good for us to be near to God, what should we expect to receive? Answers that break our hearts, for God is near to the brokenhearted.”
January 6, 2023
Very convicting. Overall an enjoyable read - I often read a few at a time rather than one ‘devotion’ at a time, which is how I think it’s meant to be read. Found the chapter on what to expect when we ask for things the Bible promises a helpful reminder.
The chapter on the priceless grace of pressure was helpful, but felt a little unbalanced (how much pressure is too much? When to say no/when might we be thinking it all relies on us?)
The chapter on the priceless grace of pressure was helpful, but felt a little unbalanced (how much pressure is too much? When to say no/when might we be thinking it all relies on us?)
March 24, 2016
I got this ebook for free from www.desireGod.org <3
Don't Follow Your Heart according to Jon Bloom is a book to help you with heart problems because your biggest problems in life are heart problems.
Which is totally true.
At first I was kind of expecting that this is just a book about the worldly love or something but it isn't. It tackles mostly about our deepest life problems like uncertainty, grumbling, painful circumstances and many others.
Jon Bloom had this way of writing to communicate with the present modern generation. His points are easy to understand but I know that it will take some time to apply.
It's a good read. If you want to know more about God then I recommend this book to you.
Don't Follow Your Heart according to Jon Bloom is a book to help you with heart problems because your biggest problems in life are heart problems.
Which is totally true.
At first I was kind of expecting that this is just a book about the worldly love or something but it isn't. It tackles mostly about our deepest life problems like uncertainty, grumbling, painful circumstances and many others.
Jon Bloom had this way of writing to communicate with the present modern generation. His points are easy to understand but I know that it will take some time to apply.
It's a good read. If you want to know more about God then I recommend this book to you.
August 27, 2016
First sentence: Follow your heart is a creed embraced by billions of people. It's a statement of faith in one of the great pop-cultural myths of the Western world--a gospel proclaimed in many of our stories, movies, and songs.
Premise/plot: The premise of this one is simple: The Bible is clear: we must follow God's heart, not ours. It may be a simple premise, but, it probably won't be popular. This is a book of thirty-one devotions urging you to follow Jesus and die to self. A book reminding us that we have a BIG, BIG sin problem, and that our hearts are not trustworthy and honest.
My thoughts: I am not a big devotional reader. Usually. But now and then I come across one I can't help recommending. This is one of those meaty devotionals packed with meditations that will help you to preach the gospel to yourself daily.
It was a well-written book that made me think.
Premise/plot: The premise of this one is simple: The Bible is clear: we must follow God's heart, not ours. It may be a simple premise, but, it probably won't be popular. This is a book of thirty-one devotions urging you to follow Jesus and die to self. A book reminding us that we have a BIG, BIG sin problem, and that our hearts are not trustworthy and honest.
My thoughts: I am not a big devotional reader. Usually. But now and then I come across one I can't help recommending. This is one of those meaty devotionals packed with meditations that will help you to preach the gospel to yourself daily.
It was a well-written book that made me think.
What are the satanic strongholds that spiritually imprison people, the strongholds that we seek to destroy? Arguments and opinions? Where is the battle raging? In our thoughts.
When we are angry, discouraged, depressed, anxious, self-pitying, fearful, or irritable, it is likely because we are believing something very specific. To battle sin is to battle unbelief--or destroy arguments.
Meaning comes from God, and we receive it through his word.
The gospel we need won't be viewed in our mirrors. For that, we need to look through a window. And that's what the Bible is. The Bible is not a mirror; it is a window. It is through the Bible that we come to see reality.
July 19, 2019
I rarely read devotionals, and even more rarely do I find them to be helpful. But this book is quite effective in communicating its intended message. Its daily readings are specific, to the point, and scripture based. Best of all, it avoids the trite christianisms that so often plague devotional writings. So, while this is no A.W. Tozer or Thomas Watson, it certainly deserves a place on the same shelf.
May 6, 2020
Great insights about very real things Christians feel during their everyday walks with God. I appreciated the author's bluntness, the copious Scripture references, and how he confronts the lie that following your heart will lead to lasting joy.
April 19, 2021
a simple, fairly brief read that covers many practical aspects of christian living. not a deep dive into one particular topic, but still helpful w/ lots of scripture references. also not a spoiler, but one of the earlier chapters references captain jack sparrow and pirates of the caribbean lol.
February 22, 2023
Thought-provoking and wonderful. Would read again and again, and definitely should.
October 10, 2023
Pretty solid, nothing was mind blowing but was filled with biblical wisdom and encouragement.
December 20, 2018
I received this as a gift and was skeptical as I don't typically enjoy devotional reading, but this was very, very good. Solid truths mined from Scripture and worth rereading and relating to oneself.
August 7, 2021
This was an excellent devotional book with many useful insights. It was straightforward and informative.
January 29, 2020
Thirty-one meditations directed towards "resisting your heart's errant predilections and directing it to do all God's will." Short but meaty chapters that really challenged me. I felt discipled by the content.
March 29, 2016
One of the best and most helpful devotionals I've come across.
Could not highly recommend it enough.
Could not highly recommend it enough.
January 11, 2016
"No, our hearts will not save us. We need to be saved from our hearts."
August 16, 2020
“...[W]e are often unprepared for the answers we receive from God. His answers frequently do not look at first like answers. They look like problems. They look like trouble. They look like loss, disappointment, affliction, conflict, sorrow, and increased selfishness. They cause deep soul wrestling and expose sins and doubts and fears. They are not what we expect, and we often do not see how they correspond to our prayers.”
This is one of those books I’m a little bit sad to have finished. It has provided such encouragement in the midst of the most loss I’ve ever experienced. To be continually reminded that God is *for* us - and for our sanctification - has been so necessary. Bloom is not unclear that this world is not our home, nor is he unclear that our hearts are deceitful and broken. Keeping these two truths at the forefront of our decision-making changes absolutely everything.
This is one of those books I’m a little bit sad to have finished. It has provided such encouragement in the midst of the most loss I’ve ever experienced. To be continually reminded that God is *for* us - and for our sanctification - has been so necessary. Bloom is not unclear that this world is not our home, nor is he unclear that our hearts are deceitful and broken. Keeping these two truths at the forefront of our decision-making changes absolutely everything.
May 26, 2018
An excellent devotional meant to anchor you in truth above the passing whim of feeling - yet he does this without denying the role that emotion plays in life. I really enjoyed each of these devotional days because he accounts for an validates emotion, yet anchors each emotion in scripture and truth. Would recommend if you’re looking for a 1-month devotional that helps you become aware of areas where your emotions are reality instead of Truth, yet emotion is still validated as vital to our lives.
January 30, 2019
An awesome book which I have pretty much just devoured. I love the way Jon Bloom opens up the wonderful truths of the gospel, and being a regular reader of his Desiring God blog, I was looking forward to reading my first of his books. I have not been disappointed! This is a rich and encouraging book despite the fact it doesn't mess about in reminding us of both the benefits and challenges (from an earthly perspective) of seeking to follow God's heart rather than than our own. Definitely one I will go through again soon at a more reflective pace.
May 15, 2020
"If our hearts are compasses, they are Jack Sparrow compasses.1 They don’t tell us the truth; they just tell us what we want."
Loved it! Our hearts can truly make us go on a path that is the opposite of what God would rather have us do. It's easier to follow our hearts because God has placed it in us anyway and Jon talks about how tempting it can be to use it as a guide instead of it as a guard. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because I was put off by him ridiculing Atheists' worldview. There's a kinder way to do that without dragging their beliefs through the mud.
Loved it! Our hearts can truly make us go on a path that is the opposite of what God would rather have us do. It's easier to follow our hearts because God has placed it in us anyway and Jon talks about how tempting it can be to use it as a guide instead of it as a guard. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because I was put off by him ridiculing Atheists' worldview. There's a kinder way to do that without dragging their beliefs through the mud.
December 31, 2017
Easy read, i usee it like a devotional.
The chapters were short enough to read as part of my morning personal devotion. I specifically liked the chapter on when God's will isn't clear (chapter 22). It helped me answer a number of questions I have had over the years and shed some extra light on one of my favorite verses, Romans 12:2. I will continue to read portions of it in my devotions as it adds extra insight in understanding the word of God.
The chapters were short enough to read as part of my morning personal devotion. I specifically liked the chapter on when God's will isn't clear (chapter 22). It helped me answer a number of questions I have had over the years and shed some extra light on one of my favorite verses, Romans 12:2. I will continue to read portions of it in my devotions as it adds extra insight in understanding the word of God.
September 9, 2019
Great book! Really helpful and edifying material. Will probably refer back to it sometime in the future. The last few chapters were most helpful for me. Without giving too much away, it was about how this world can never satisfy because we are not made for this world. It is also about how we have an eternal hope, so we mustn’t lose heart.
Well worth a read! Plus, it’s free on the DesiringGod website too!
Well worth a read! Plus, it’s free on the DesiringGod website too!
March 10, 2021
This is an excellent read for a young Christian person venturing out into the world for the first time. I'd also recommend it for parents to read with their older teens. There is no "preachiness" here. The author simply reveals how culture is counter to the way God calls Christians to live, then gives practical ways to walk that out. The chapters are short and topical, so the book works well as a devotional.
June 21, 2017
An excellent little devotional full of helpful challenges and reality-checks.
I read it like a book, it would probably have been better read devotionally over a month of so. It's the sort of pithy laconic writing that can be read fast, but has more benefit to be read slowly. Jon Bloom knows how to turn a phrase, make a point, and then move on to another point. This is how it should be done.
I read it like a book, it would probably have been better read devotionally over a month of so. It's the sort of pithy laconic writing that can be read fast, but has more benefit to be read slowly. Jon Bloom knows how to turn a phrase, make a point, and then move on to another point. This is how it should be done.
December 5, 2019
This was one of my favorite books of the year. I read it as a daily devotional for a month as suggested in the introduction. It was a not a light and flaky daily read; sometimes it was hard and hit exactly what my life experience is currently. I love how it points to scripture in almost every paragraph. Don’t follow your heart. Follow Jesus.
September 4, 2021
There's a lot of tools that help you stay on track, in the right direction and reflect. I would revisit this book when my heart feels lost and needs a heart-check, more like a "check yoself before you wreck yoself" moment.
Filled with bitter medicine- hard to swallow but good for the soul.
My favorite chapter is 31. Might even print and frame it- its that good and sobering.
Filled with bitter medicine- hard to swallow but good for the soul.
My favorite chapter is 31. Might even print and frame it- its that good and sobering.
August 4, 2017
Probably the best book I've read this year (so far). Insightful, challenging, and concise. Favorite chapters: 1, 9, 18, 27, 28 & 30.
Written as a devotional with super brief chapters... but feels more like a discipleship appointment.
Written as a devotional with super brief chapters... but feels more like a discipleship appointment.
June 13, 2017
I have been slowly reading through this and chewing through the richness of it. Read it.
July 18, 2017
Excellent, succinct, imaginative, grace-filled, reorienting meditations on the dependability and supremacy of Christ.
August 1, 2017
So good I'm gonna start it again tomorrow.
March 8, 2018
Great little devotional. I have really enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews