Feelings vs. Truths

from Megan Pulver.

Oprah’s spiritual views are often said to make people feel good about themselves, so naturally, they’re appealing.  She claims that we find our spiritual power by getting in touch with our inner selves. But what does Jesus say? Is it our inner self that provides us with the wisdom and power to live a God-honoring life – or is it something else?

Jesus says, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

Of course we want to live by our feelings. It’s comfortable, makes sense, doesn’t ask us to wait, trust, or surrender all. But, we’re not called to live by our feelings. We’re called to live by the knowledge of a true God and that can be very uncomfortable. “Jesus says, ‘You shall know the truth’ – not get in touch with your inner self – and the truth will set you free.” As Christians, when we focus on feelings without thinking through God’s truths, we are lead astray.

It’s natural to live off feelings of doubt, fear, weakness, loneliness, etc. But what would it look like if we instead, lived off God’s truths:

Feeling: “I’ve had a rough day so I think I’ll skip small group tonight”
God’s truth: “Let us not give up meeting together…but let us encourage one another.”

Feeling: “I am too tired to meet with a friend in need today, I’ll reschedule for later”
God’s truth: “Two are better than one: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up.”

Feeling: “I would love to serve on a mission but I don’t have the time, money, skills, etc. that are required”
God’s truth: “God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called.”

Feeling: “Even though I desire a husband and family, it’s just not happening so God MUST be calling me to be single”
God’s truth: “It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him” …and my favorite, “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Bible Trivia: What is the first piece of armor we should equip ourselves with daily to fight Satan’s feelings? The belt of truth. Why? Without the belt of truth, we have no place to carry the sword of the spirit and we’re powerless against the lies or feelings of Satan.

Simply stated, when we’re not living on God’s truth we aren’t carrying/accessing the Holy Spirit.

I have never surrendered something and regretted how God worked. There is incredible freedom when we live by truth! It’s not always fun, it’s not always easy, but that’s what makes it so worth it!

I think I’m gonna need a bigger belt…