"In a Heartbeat" is a new animated short film that's making its way across the internet presently. I watched it for the first time this morning and was actually really moved by the project. It depicts two boys, probably middle school age; one is being "outed by his heart" for the other. The conclusion is their realization that they share similar feelings for one another, despite what onlookers may be feeling towards such feelings.
I was struck as I watched the film because of how the heart of the first character is pulling him throughout the entire film. This is what God warns about countless times in scripture. Our hearts are "deceitful above all things, and desperately sick" (Jeremiah 17:9). Left unrestrained by the gospel and His saving work in us, our hearts will always lead us into sin.
Each and every person is born with a heart that is hard and cold to God. We are born with a bent towards sin and in opposition to God. Believers refer to this as a 'sin nature.' It's why we must be born again. We need a heart transplant that enables us to love God before ourselves and to daily choose to obey Him and not whatever whim our heart attempts to drag us towards.
This life is full of things that promise us happiness: money, relationships, popularity, and a number of other idols. True joy and peace comes only from knowing Jesus as Lord, and with that comes a new life where Jesus, not our sinful hearts, calls the shots. If we're being led by our hearts and not His Spirit, we can expect only heartache and emptiness in this life but much worse than that, we can expect the righteous wrath of God who will not overlook sin (Acts 17:30).
To be of this world and it's ways- drunkenness, sexual immorality (opposite sex couple who are unmarried or same sex couples), idolatry, etc- is to make oneself an enemy of the God who hates the wicked (Psalm 5:5). Forsake your sins while you are able and turn to Jesus for life and forgiveness. He can make even the vilest offender new. How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation (Hebrews 2:3)?