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Can We Rely On Feelings or Emotions?
John R. Gentry
Last week we noticed that God teaches we can, indeed, we must understand the Bible alike. Starting this week, we want to discuss attitudes that will hinder this understanding.
Let’s begin by examining an attitude that relies on one’s feelings or emotions. This is an attitude that says, “God wants me to do what makes me feel good or what I think is best for me because he is a God of love. He doesn’t want me to suffer in order to be obedient to him.” Let’s look at some passages that clearly teach this kind of attitude does not lead to a correct understanding of God’s will.
Proverbs 14.12 states, “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Although something may feel right or good, does not mean it is acceptable in the sight of God. On the contrary, it leads to a spiritual death (cf. James 1.14-15)!
The first part of Proverbs 28.26 says, “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool…” Our feelings and emotions that lead us to believe something is good or right will betray us! Those who follow after their own feelings and emotions instead of seeking authority from God’s Holy Scriptures for all they say and do are fools in the sight of God.
In Jeremiah 10.23 we read, “I know, O LORD, that a man's way is not in himself, nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.” In order to be pleasing to God and to walk (live) in the way he wants us to, we cannot rely in ourselves to determine right and wrong. Our feelings and emotions will lead us astray as we walk down life’s road. We must completely rely upon God and what he has revealed to us in his Holy Scriptures to walk in such a way that is pleasing to the Lord.
It is true that God is love (John 3.16, 1 John 4.7-8, 16, etc., clearly teach this. People who use this as an excuse for doing something that is contrary to God’s Holy Scriptures forget about the other side of God. “God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12.29)! Hebrews 10.30-31, Matthew 10.28 and other passages clearly show that God will bring justice and his anger will be revealed against those who are not obedient to him! God still loves these people and desires for them to repent (2 Peter 3.9), but for those who choose not to seek authority from God’s Holy Scriptures for all they say and do, terrible judgment from God awaits them!
Lastly, there is a point to be made about suffering while being obedient to God. We are told in 2 Timothy 3.12, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” If we seek God’s authority for all that we say and do and are then obedient to his authority, we will suffer!
What about you? Are you willing to forgo your feelings and emotions in order to comply with God’s authority in all that you say and do?
originally published in the Banner-Gazette
2007.05.16