Feelings lie. This truth became evident as my husband and I talked with a young man who, after becoming sexually active with his girlfriend, was brokenhearted at how far he had moved from following God’s Word. Trying to convince himself that God could bring something good out of their sin, he had continued in the relationship. On the basis of his feelings, a veil of deception tightened over the eyes of his heart. Now he was feeling terrible because he knew he needed to end their relationship. He felt strongly that she was not the woman God wanted him to marry.
Living in a culture where standards shift faster than grains of sand in an hourglass, it’s easy to buy into the lie that truth is relative. After all, who doesn’t feel more comfortable living by what “feels right” in the moment, especially when emotions speak so loudly?
But God’s Word doesn’t change (Psalm 119:89). Consistent for eternity, God’s Word stands, not only as our hope in times of desperation and uncertainty, but also as our light even when we think we’ve got life figured out (Psalm 119:105).
Too often we try to put our house on the firm foundation in the midst of a storm we’ve brought upon ourselves. But, in reality, the building takes place long before the winds rage. It happens in the everyday decisions we make, in the times when the sun is still shining and we’re choosing God’s ways or our own.
Unlike our feelings, God never lies and His plans never fail (Numbers 23:19). There are times when we find it easy to obey His Word because we feel its truth deep in our hearts. But there are also times when we must choose obedience to its truths, whether we feel like it or not.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 7:1-31
More:
Read Isaiah 55 to see why we need to exchange our feelings for the truth of God’s Word—finding the promises that become available to us when we obey.
Next:
How have your feelings for someone recently changed? How should this experience change how you view your feelings? Why do you sometimes try to negotiate with God when it comes to obeying Him?
F.O.C.U.S. on July 27, 2011 at 3:26 am
“Feelings come and feelings go,
And feelings are deceiving;
My warrant is the Word of God–
Naught else is worth believing.
Though all my heart should feel condemned
For want of some sweet token,
There is One greater than my heart
Whose Word cannot be broken.
I’ll trust in God’s unchanging Word
Till soul and body sever,
For, though all things shall pass away,
HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER!”
— Martin Luther
Regina – thank you very much for today’s devotional. I’ve reasoned away so much sin in my life based on making how I feel supreme. Sadly, like the prodical son, I’ve hit some bitter lows before accepting both the trustworthiness and wisdom of God’s word. It’s a daily battle isn’t it ?May all todays readers be encouraged to hold fast to that word – especially when their feelings positively pull in the opposite direction.
mike wittmer on July 27, 2011 at 7:27 am
This is a good reminder–God’s Word is more true than my gut.
winn collier on July 27, 2011 at 3:59 pm
I have to have this conversation regularly with one of my sons, in relation to fear. Come to think of it, I have to have this conversation with myself just the same.
seektruth on July 27, 2011 at 8:33 pm
So how do we reconcile passages in the Bible such as 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 or 1 Timothy 2:9-15??Todays society/culture basically renders these scriptures outdated and obsolete…what happened to the inerrancy of Scripture?
tom felten on July 27, 2011 at 9:05 pm
seektruth, thanks for your comment. One thing we have to recognize is that culture and the views of society were in conflict with God’s Word in both Old Testament and New Testament times, as well as today. Our aim must be to carefully study the Scriptures and to understand and live by what they say—no more and no less than what they say. With that in mind, you brought up two important passages pertaining to the role of women in the Church. I think you’ll find the following online booklet will prove to be very helpful in addressing your concerns: http://discoveryseries.org/discovery-series/what-does-the-bible-say-about-women-in-ministry/ Let me know what you think!