BUT IT FEELS SO RIGHT!

Feelings and emotions are a fine, important and necessary.  They are icing on the cake of life.  They add color and enjoyment to life.  God created them for this purpose.  But He didn’t create them to be the source of our decision-making.   Our feelings should dependent on our rational thoughts, not the other way around.  When our feelings get ahead of our mental reasoning trouble comes.

For example: you know in your mind that you are an OK person, yet your fearful emotions cause you to feel insecure and self-conscious around others.  When feelings aren’t founded on the truth of God’s Word stored in our mind they go wrong.  The truth is that you are a fine person, but your emotions reject that truth and try to do the ‘thinking’ themselves.

I often advise people that they need to let their mind explain reality to their emotions.  When we feel our emotions are correct instead of  our mind we err.  That’s how Satan and his demons deceive us with their lies.  They come through the channel of our feelings and emotions because we are more open to error there.  Unless we keep our emotions in line with truth through our mind we will be deceived.  We must fill our mind with God’s Word, then make sure our feelings line up with that truth (Romans 12:1-2).

Knowing and using God’s Word, the sword of the Spirit, is key for victory (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 77:12; I Chronicles 28:9; Matthew 22:37-38; I Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 4:8).  Psalm 119:9,11 tell us that it’s through God’s Word that we have victory.  That’s how Jesus defeated Satan (Matthew 4:1-11).  Satan tries to plant doubts about God’s truth in our minds.  This is how he Eve and Adam into sin.  Eve misquoted God’s Word to Satan and when he added to God’s Word (making God seem like He was keeping something good from her) she didn’t pick it up.  She felt that God was holding back something good from her which she wanted.  Satan was undermining God’s Word, and he won!  We must be skillful in the use of our sword to win.

When you have feelings or thoughts contrary to God’s Word you must use Scripture to have victory.  Ask God to give you some verses that will help against the things you struggle with most often, write them down and memorize them.  Say them over and over when these thoughts attack you.  That is the only way to victory, and God guarantees it will work!

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Are you someone who lets their emotions decide how to face the challenges of life?  Which emotions are most apt to lead you from God’s truth?  What must you do to have victory over them?

What are some Bible verses that you can use to show reality to your emotions?

by Rev. Dr. Jerry Schmoyer, Christian Training Organization