Following Feelings, or Faith

Anita Delene Manthe
Jul 11, 2017
3 min read

It is impossible to grow as a Christian without reading the Word of God. You simply can’t. You will never get to know who you are to be apart from spending time reading and meditating on the Word of God. You can’t know who God is, why He has called you to obedience, and how to live that out without spending time with Him.

Some may argue they do know what God wants from them and for them. He tells them what to do – and they do it! They believe their feelings supported by providences are the communication of God to them, and for them.

Because they want to be right they will defend this belief system, and be closed to listening to what Scripture says about the truth of what they feel and subsequent providences. Their defense proves they want their feelings met and love the circumstantial providences more than the Biblical call to obedience. For many the sad reality is that their churches do not preach the Word of God to be all sufficient, and absolute in how it calls them to live – that we are to follow the principles and commandments of the Lord.

A good example is marriage. Do we date unbelievers? Do we open ourselves up to the emotional connection that can be developed in dating an unbeliever, or are we vigilant because the Word of God says no? Many believers, supported by their churches, do not consider dating a risk, nor do they teach the importance of marrying within the faith – and not outside of it!

Marriage is just one example of how we are not to assume our feelings and providences are correct. God would not want us to do something, irrespective of how good it may look, that is contrary to His Word. We are to be vigilant and examine the Word of God to discern what is good and right for us. He has instructed us in His Word for our good.

Do you submit to what He has said to you – instructed you in His Word, or do you submit to your emotions and feelings? Do you do those things that you know are right according to the Word of God, or do you do what you feel is right, what you think you should do, rather than what He has said?

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers (Psalm 1:1-3).
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14)?
They received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so (Acts 17:11).
A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:39).