A Simple Reflection on Self-Deception, Motivation, and Emotional Influence for Living Authentically
Introduction
You may have heard people say, “our hearts can be deceitful.” This idea pops up in religion, philosophy, and psychology, and basically means that our feelings and desires aren’t always telling us the whole truth. Whether you’re interested in spiritual matters, enjoy deep thinking, or just want to understand yourself better, realizing that we can fool ourselves is a big step toward living a genuine life. Let’s break down what it means when people talk about a deceitful heart, and why it matters for personal growth and honest relationships.
Religion: What the Bible Says About the Heart
In the Bible, there’s a famous verse, Jeremiah 17:9: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Put simply, it means that we humans often trick ourselves, and our true motives aren’t always clear—even to us. Religious teachings see this as a reminder to stay humble, to ask for help from God, and to be careful about trusting our own judgment without some spiritual guidance. Christians, for example, believe that since the heart can mislead, it’s important to regularly reflect, pray, and be open to change.
Self-Deception in Spiritual Life
Self-deception shows up in lots of ways—like making excuses for bad decisions, ignoring truths that make us uncomfortable, or convincing ourselves that what we want is what God wants for us. Many faiths encourage people to confess, meditate, and look closely at their own motives so they can be honest with themselves. Without this kind of self-check, it’s easy to get stuck believing comforting things that aren’t really true, instead of searching for deeper meaning. Growth in spirituality often means facing the hard truth that our hearts can lead us off track, and that being real with ourselves takes courage and humility.
Philosophy: Are We Really in Control?
Philosophers have long wondered if we truly know why we do what we do. Friedrich Nietzsche, German philosopher, for example, believed that beneath our “noble” actions are hidden drives and desires. Sigmund Freud, Austrian neurologist and scientist, who crossed into psychology, said our unconscious mind hides thoughts and urges we don’t want to admit. These thinkers push us to look past our surface explanations and ask if there’s more going on inside. In other words, philosophy encourages us to question the stories we tell ourselves and dig deeper.
Emotions: How They Can Steer Us Wrong
Feelings are powerful—they color our view of the world and can steer our choices. Sometimes, though, our emotions cloud our thinking. Fear might keep us from taking good risks, while desire could make us ignore warnings. Emotional intelligence means being able to notice, understand, and manage our feelings. When we’re emotionally aware, it’s easier to tell when our heart is giving us good advice—or just leading us astray. This helps us think more clearly and connect better with others.
Psychology: Why We Fool Ourselves
Modern psychology explains several ways we trick ourselves. For example, cognitive dissonance means we change our beliefs or ignore facts to avoid feeling uncomfortable about our actions. Confirmation bias makes us pay attention only to information that supports what we already think. Freud and others showed that our unconscious mind influences us in ways we often don’t notice. Understanding these patterns is the first step in breaking them, so we can look for truth instead of just comfort.
Practical Tips: How to Live More Honestly
Knowing that our hearts can mislead us isn’t just an interesting idea—it can help us grow. Here are some simple ways to stay real:
- Question your own assumptions—don’t just accept what feels right at first.
- Ask for honest feedback from others.
- Spend time reflecting, maybe by journaling or practicing mindfulness.
- Talk to people you trust, like mentors or friends, about tough decisions.
- Pay attention to your emotions, and check if they’re helping or hurting your judgment.
These strategies can help you get to know yourself better, build stronger relationships, and make wiser choices.
Conclusion: Why It’s Important to Check in With Yourself
Realizing that our hearts can be deceitful isn’t something to be afraid of—it’s an opportunity to learn and grow. Religion, philosophy, and psychology all teach us the value of humility, self-reflection, and awareness. When we practice these qualities, we live more honestly, make better decisions, and connect with others on a deeper level. In a world full of distractions, taking time to check in with ourselves—recognizing both the good and the not-so-good in our hearts—is key to living a meaningful and compassionate life.
Minister A Francine Green
January 2026
afrancinegreen.com 