I wonder how many times I say throughout the day… “I feel like.” I feel like that person doesn’t like me. I feel like he isn’t who he says he is. I feel like their motives are wrong. I feel like they would be better suited for this… Here’s the thing… feelings have no substance. They are not based on anything, except our feelings or our opinions. And if we let our feelings drive us, then we often find ourselves in trouble. We can jump to not-so-good conclusions because our feelings got in the way. We can ruin relationships because we perceived things that weren’t there. We can become more anxious because our feelings took us down a dark road.
Here’s another startling fact… many people have left the faith because they let their feelings lead them. And many others have led multitudes astray because they are teaching things based on their feelings (I see this all the time with “so-called” influencers). I feel like the God of the Bible isn’t One who condemns or judges. I feel like God wants everyone to be loved so no matter how you find that love, He’s okay with it. I feel like God would never turn anyone away. I can’t wrap my mind around condemnation and sin. So, they either walk away or they lead others down that same destructive pathway.
Why is it dangerous to be led by our feelings? Because our feelings are just that… our feelings. Now, I’m not saying that our feelings can’t lead us to truth, but we must investigate the facts before jumping to a conclusion. I feel this way, but what does Scripture say? If people would just seek the truth before coming to conclusions, they would fare so much better. If people would put aside their feelings in the face of truth, their faith would remain strong, and they would lead people to truth rather than away from it.
The Bible is clear… we must be led by truth – nothing else. We must anchor our beliefs in truth. Our feelings are futile and can easily lead us astray. I may not like what the Bible says or even understand it. But it’s my responsibility to let God’s Word – all of it – lead me, not my feelings. Today, I’m evaluating if I’m being led by my feelings or by the truth of God’s Word. Will you join me?