When Your Spiritual Passion Becomes Your Idol – Why You Shouldn’t Follow Your Heart
When Your Spiritual Passion Becomes Your Idol – Why You Shouldn’t Follow Your Heart
We’ve all heard it before:
"Follow your heart."
"Chase your dreams."
"God wouldn’t give you a passion unless He wanted you to pursue it."
It’s the kind of advice that sounds good, even spiritual. After all, shouldn’t we be passionate about serving God? Shouldn’t we eagerly pursue the dreams we believe He’s placed in our hearts?
But what if I told you that following your heart could actually lead you away from God’s plan?
Many well-meaning Christians believe that discipleship—truly following Jesus—means finding what excites them and assuming that must be their divine calling. But Scripture tells a different story. Sometimes, our passion for a certain type of ministry isn’t what God wants for us. And if we aren’t careful, we can make an idol out of our spiritual desires instead of submitting to God’s plan.
Let’s take a closer look at a man who desperately wanted to follow Jesus—but was told to stay behind.
The Demoniac’s Desire vs. Jesus’ Mission
In Mark 5, we read the dramatic story of a demon-possessed man living in the tombs. He was a terrifying figure—naked, violent, breaking chains, screaming in agony day and night. He was completely out of control, a prisoner of demonic torment. Then Jesus arrived.
With just a few words, Jesus drove the demons out of the man and restored him completely. In an instant, his life was transformed. The townspeople, who had once feared him, now saw him "sitting there, dressed and in his right mind" (Mark 5:15).
Overwhelmed with gratitude, the man did what any of us would want to do—he begged Jesus to take him along. He wanted to leave his painful past behind and become a full-time disciple.
And Jesus said… No.
“Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” (Mark 5:19)
Jesus didn’t allow him to join the Twelve and the boats that were traveling with Him. Instead, He gave him a different assignment: stay where you are and share your testimony.
The man had a passionate desire to follow Jesus in the way that he thought was best. But Jesus had a different plan.
This raises an important question: What if God’s will for your life doesn’t match your passion?
When Passion Becomes an Idol
Passion isn’t inherently wrong. In fact, God often gives us desires that align with His calling for us. But passion becomes dangerous when we elevate it above obedience.
Many people assume that because they feel drawn to a particular ministry—whether it's missions, preaching, worship leading, or writing—that God must be calling them to it. But passion alone does not equal calling.
Just like the man in Mark 5, we can become so focused on what we want to do for God that we miss what He actually wants us to do.
When our desire to serve God in a specific way becomes more important than our willingness to obey Him in any way, our passion has become an idol.
Let’s look at other biblical examples where people’s passion didn’t line up with God’s immediate plan.
Biblical Examples of Misplaced Passion
1. Moses: Passion Without God’s Timing
Moses had a heart for his people. He saw their suffering under Egyptian oppression and longed to do something about it. So what did he do?
He took matters into his own hands and killed an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave (Exodus 2:11-12).
That act of misguided passion forced Moses into exile for 40 years. God did call him to rescue Israel—but in God’s time and God’s way.
Had Moses waited on the Lord instead of acting in his own strength, he could have avoided decades of exile.
2. Peter: Zeal Without Understanding
Peter was one of the most passionate disciples. He swore he would never abandon Jesus, even if it cost him his life (Matthew 26:33-35). But when the moment of testing came, he denied Jesus three times.
Earlier, Peter had also tried to stop Jesus from going to the cross, insisting that His suffering should never happen. But Jesus rebuked him sharply:
“Get behind me, Satan! You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Matthew 16:23)
Peter’s passion was real, but his understanding of God’s plan was lacking. He wanted Jesus to establish His kingdom immediately—but Jesus had a different mission.
3. Paul: Redirected Ministry Plans
Paul was eager to spread the gospel. He set out on a missionary journey, planning to preach in Asia. But surprisingly, the Holy Spirit blocked him from going there (Acts 16:6-10). Instead, Paul had a vision of a man in Macedonia calling for help.
Paul’s passion was good, but God’s direction was different. Had Paul stubbornly followed his own desires, he would have missed an entire region that God was preparing to receive the gospel.
Modern-Day Ministry Missteps
Many Christians today find themselves in a similar situation. They have a strong desire to serve God—but they assume that means doing something big or public or within their comfort zone.
The aspiring pastor who refuses to serve unless he’s preaching every Sunday.
The musician who only wants to lead worship on a big stage, not in a small church.
The missionary who wants to go overseas, even when God is calling them to their own community.
The young woman that wants to teach an adult class, and not in the children’s ministry.
The couple that wants to give their financial gifts to a specific charity they saw on tv instead of their local church.
If God hasn’t opened the door you’re passionate about, it might be because He has a different mission for you. True discipleship isn’t about following your own desires—it’s about following Jesus wherever He leads.
How to Discover God’s Plan for Your Life
If we shouldn’t simply follow our hearts, how should we discern God’s calling? Here’s a better approach:
1. Test Your Desires Against Scripture
Your heart can be deceptive (Jeremiah 17:9). Instead of relying on feelings, compare your desires to biblical principles. Is this about glorifying God—or about fulfilling personal ambition?
2. Be Willing to Serve Where You Are
The man in Mark 5 wanted to leave everything behind and follow Jesus. Instead, Jesus told him to stay. Don’t wait for the perfect ministry opportunity—start serving now, wherever God has placed you.
3. Seek Wise Counsel
Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” Seek advice from mature Christians who can help you discern God’s will.
4. Be Open to Redirection
Like Paul in Acts 16, God may block the path you want to take. Don’t resist His leading—trust that He knows best.
5. Surrender Your Passion If Necessary
Ask yourself: If God told me to lay this dream down, would I? If the answer is no, then your passion may have become an idol.
Conclusion: Obedience Over Passion
Following Jesus isn’t about chasing your passion—it’s about surrendering your will to His. The demoniac in Mark 5 wanted to follow Jesus in the way he thought was best. But Jesus had another plan—one that ultimately led to more people hearing the gospel.
What about you? Are you willing to set aside your own dreams if Jesus asks you to? Because true discipleship isn’t about following your heart—it’s about following Jesus.