Topic(s): Bible Study, Faith, Christian Life

Bob Prichard

Human beings are by nature creatures with feelings. The completely logical, unfeeling person is only found in science fiction. We all have feelings, but we must learn that we cannot be ruled by our feelings, especially in the realm of religion. To please God, we must be people of faith and people of “the faith.” Paul told the Corinthian Christians, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Paul warned Timothy that “in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1). As Jude said, we must “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1:3).

The problem of following our feelings is that our feelings may or may not be right. We may believe something is true when it is not. After Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, they decided to cover up their sin by dipping Joseph’s coat of many colors in blood and taking it to their father Jacob. They said, “This have we found: know now whether it be thy son’s coat or no. And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces. And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days” (Genesis 37:32-33). Jacob thought that Joseph was dead. He mourned for his dead son many days, and did not know that Joseph was alive, and through God’s providence rising to prominence in Egypt. Jacob’s feelings told him that Joseph was dead, and he would not have felt any differently if Joseph had actually been alive, but his feelings were wrong. He had good reason for the way he felt, but he had been misled.

Unfortunately, there are still those who mislead honest people. People may have all of the right “feelings,” but they have nonetheless been misled. When people say things such as “I don’t care what the Bible says, I can feel it in my heart that I am saved, that such and such is so, etc.” they are showing a real ignorance of biblical faith. Jesus said, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). It is only by continuing in His word, accepting and obeying the truth of God’s word, that freedom can come. It is not just any truth, but the truth of God’s word that brings freedom.

What the Bible says must be paramount over our feelings. No matter how much we feel like we are right, if we are in conflict with God’s word, then we are wrong. Hebrews 4:12 reminds us: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” It is the unchanging standard of the revelation of God’s will. Everything we in do in religion must by judged by the Bible. We cannot substitute feelings, tradition, or anything else for the Bible. “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).