SOMETIMES EMOTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN THE TRUTH
Mechelle Holbrook
Today’s Scripture: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9, ESV
Theme: Emotions can remind us to consider a decision carefully; yet they are unreliable. We must rely on God’s wisdom and guidance.
EMOTIONS ARE A GUAGE, NOT A GUIDE
God created us with emotions, so they aren’t bad. They can be incredibly helpful as a gauge—showing us what’s happening beneath the surface. But emotions were never meant to be our guide. Only God can lead our emotions correctly. Today’s Scripture reminds us of a truth that can be uncomfortable. If you’re anything like me, you might think, surely not me. Not little ole me! My heart is kind and can be trusted! But Scripture isn’t trying to embarrass us—it’s trying to protect us. Emotions can help inform decisions, but they are often unreliable. God and His Word are the only things we can fully trust to guide our lives.
HOW QUICKLY THINGS CAN GET OUT OF CONTROL
Recently, I was reminded of this in the most unexpected way. I had just gotten a new Swiffer gadget for our floors. My husband decided to try it out—and in my opinion, he was doing it completely backwards. I corrected him… and then I completely lost my mind...over a cleaning gadget...that he was using to help me! Why would anyone get that upset over something so small and silly? He was stunned! I even surprised myself.
Now, this may seem minor—and it was—but it reveals something important: it doesn’t take much for our emotions to take over. If something that small can trigger such a reaction, how much more careful do we need to be with bigger, weightier situations? Of course, I repented, apologized, and now we laugh about it. Well, he actually makes fun of me about it. But that moment was a clear reminder of how quickly human nature can surface when emotions are in the driver’s seat.
WHEN HEARTS AND PEOPLE SURPRISE US
We’ve all said things like, “That person would never do that,” only to be shocked later when they do the very thing we never imagined. And if we’re honest, sometimes we are the ones who surprise ourselves. Jesus tells us in Luke 6:45 that what comes out of our mouths reveals what is in our hearts. That truth can sting, but it’s also incredibly helpful. It shows us where the real work needs to happen. Recently, I was talking with a group of ladies and several of them were genuinely shocked to learn that Jeremiah 17:9 (our Scripture for today) is even in the Bible! That reaction made me think. Sometimes we forget the truth of Scripture about the human heart and how desperately we need God’s help.
HOPE FOR THE HUMAN HEART
Thankfully, God doesn’t leave us without hope. Psalm 139 reminds us that we can invite God to search our hearts and test us, not to shame us, but to heal us. And in Ezekiel 36:26, God promises something beautiful: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.” God doesn’t just manage our emotions—He transforms the source. His Word tells us that He writes His law on our hearts, and that if anyone is in Christ, they are new creations. There is real hope for hearts that are surrendered to Him.
Make It Personal: Take a quiet moment to reflect with God this week. Pay attention to what emotions have been surfacing in your life lately and how they’ve been influencing your reactions. Are there moments when you’ve surprised yourself with your response, whether in something small or something much bigger? Honestly ask yourself if there are areas where you’re trusting your feelings more than God’s Word. What tends to come out of your mouth when you’re stressed, tired, or frustrated, and what might that reveal about what your heart is holding?
Instead of being discouraged, invite God into that space. Pray Psalm 139:23–24 and ask Him to search your heart and reveal anything that needs His healing touch. When emotions rise, pause before reacting and ask, "Is this emotion simply a gauge, or have I allowed it to become my guide?" Choose to surrender even the smallest reactions to Him, trusting that the God who promises to give us a new heart is faithful to continue His work in us.
Pray: Our precious Father, if we are honest with You, we are not surprised about our hearts being deceitful. We know Your Word says that we were born into sin and that without You we are hopeless. Left to our own devices, the deceit of the heart will come out. But we are not alone and You have made a way through Your Son Jesus. Help us to seek You for the answers to all things, including our heart and emotions. We ask for Your guidance and that You continue to create a new heart in us as we follow You. May the Fruit of the Spirit be the emotions that are expressed in our lives.
Read: 2 Corinthians 5:17, Jeremiah 31:33, Luke 6:43-45
Weekly Memory Verse: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Proverbs 14:12, ESV