I wrote this a few months ago and it was pretty life-changing. I had never studied or done research for fun before and it really taught me how to use my brain for more than just school. Some of the wording and overall opinions shared aren’t necessarily how I would word or give my different opinion now. But, that just means that I’m growing as a writer, and that’s a good thing. So, with all that being said, I hope y’all enjoy my piece on head versus heart.
Surely, if you are a living, breathing human being, you have struggled with the issue of head versus heart. The age-old struggle of “my head says one thing, but my heart says another.” Otherwise known as “being torn.” But what you may not know is that people in the Bible also struggled with the matter of head versus heart.
Let’s start with the very first people who lived on earth, Adam and Eve. When God first created Adam, He only gave him one rule:”but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die (Genesis 2:17 NASB).” When Eve was created she got that same command. Now, you would think that not eating from one tree, would be easy, in fact easier than easy because, there were hundreds of trees in the garden. You could eat from a different tree for every meal and still never eat from all of them! But, Eve disobeyed and convinced Adam do the same. When Eve was tempted by the Serpent, she knew in her heart AND her head that she was not to eat of that Tree, yet the Serpent got into her head and said, “You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day which you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good from evil (Genesis 3:4-5 NASB).” And she listened. And if that wasn’t enough, she gave to her husband. Adam knew it wasn’t right. Adam knew in his his head and his heart he shouldn’t do it, yet he let her influence his thoughts actions. She let her head be influenced and as a result, she lost living in the most beautiful place she ever could all because, she let her head make the decision rather than her heart.
What about Abraham and Sarah? Now this story of head over heart is just understandably mind-boggling. So Abraham and Sarah had picked up, moved away from their family, and had basically become nomads until God brought them to Canaan, which would be their new home. They had both trusted in God through every single step of the way, yet when Sarah was told that she be a mother in her old age, she laughed and didn’t trust what the Lord had told her. She wanted Abraham to be a father. “So Sarai said to Abram, ‘Now behold, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go in to my maid; perhaps I will obtain children through her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai’ (Genesis 16:2 NASB).” When Hagar got pregnant and had a son, no one was surprised. Sarah was even happy about it! But when Sarah got pregnant and had a son, no one was more surprised than she herself. There is not a doubt in my mind that Sarah knew she should trust what God had told her. Not one doubt. What I wonder is how she could trust God to carry them through to safety in a new home and then laugh when God said that she was to have a child. Her head full of “reason,” took over her heart full of truth.
Next up, is Martha of the Mary and Martha duo that were friends of Jesus. Now Martha is historically known for letting her head take over what her heart should be in charge of. The most notable occasion was when Jesus and the disciples had come to visit and Martha, being the home-keeper that she was, was running around fixing food, refilling plates, cleaning, and working. Her sister Mary, on the other hand, was sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to him teach and preach and worshipping Him for all that He is. Martha got irritated that Mary wasn’t helping her serve the guests and said to Jesus, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me (Luke 10:40, NASB).” Martha got sassy. And in her sassiness she let her head take over. I think Martha knew in her heart that she needed to be where Mary was, but she let one seemingly idle thought into her mind that changed her whole perception of the situation. I love how Jesus responds to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her (Luke 10:41-42, NASB).” Martha knew she should be with Mary, but instead she decided to focus on the guests more THE GUEST.
Lastly, is our best pal Peter. Peter was impetuous and made most of his decisions without thinking. When Jesus announced at the last supper that Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed, Peter claimed that he would never deny Christ. Yet, just a few hours later, before the rooster crowed, Peter denied knowing Christ three times because of, his fear of what they would do to him if they knew his relationship with Jesus. Peter knew he shouldn’t be scared of what these people might do to him, but he let his head take over where his heart should have. The Bible says that,”But Peter said, ‘Man, I do not know what you are talking about.’ Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, ‘Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly (Luke 22:60-62 NASB).” Instantaneously, Peter felt guilty for what he had done. He knew in his heart that what just happened could easily have been avoided. His head full of fear took charge over his heart full of confidence and peace.
See, even people in the Bible struggled with this issue. If more Christians let their hearts full of Christ make their decisions, the world would be a much different place. Let your heart make decisions. Didn’t your heart decide when you chose Christianity? Your heart knows what’s right. Follow what’s right.