FEELINGS VS FAITH

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VioletReigns

Guest
#1
Have you noticed that the word “feel” is used more often than not throughout many of the threads? We “feel” sad, “feel” discouraged, “feel” afraid, “feel” far from God, “feel” like giving up. Or we “feel” happy, “feel” loved, “feel” blessed, or “feel” like everything is just wonderful. Our feelings (flesh) try to dictate to us in a false reality, an existence that is temporal and intangible. Our feelings tempt us to believe that our circumstances and situations are the determining factor of true joy and peace.

The reality is, the condition of our relationship with Jesus Christ in the Spiritual realm is the determining factor. Life in Christ Jesus is the reality. And it doesn’t begin after we pass from this earth. It is right here and right now, forever.

Our flesh was crucified with Christ, we no longer live a temporary, emotionally up & down life. We don’t just exist anymore trying to survive. We are forever secured in God because of the Cross of Jesus Christ. That is Truth! No matter how we feel, no matter what the circumstances, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Especially not our feelings. God said He is completing what He started in us.

Because of the Cross and Resurrection, we have the Spirit of Jesus Christ living in us and are ever in the Father’s Presence and under His loving watchful eye every second. The Lord is in control of everything and we are held in His everlasting love! How we feel does not change that. Isn’t that amazing?

We must remind ourselves that whether or not things look good or bad, whether or not we feel happy or sad, nothing changes in the realm of the love of God. We will always be loved and taken care of by the Father.

That’s why it’s vital that we keep communicating with the Lord every hour, every day. Share everything with Him, your joy, your thanks to Him, your praise, your hopes and even your negative feelings. Let the Lord sort things out in your heart and mind. He will help you establish the right way of thinking and guide you step by step. The Lord DESIRES that! You will never exhaust His love, His patience and His yearning to be intimate with you.

We can encourage and pray for one another as Christian brothers and sisters. But nobody can walk & talk with Jesus Christ for us. We must each develop our own personal relationship with Him and learn His Word in our hearts. That is how we get strengthened and are able to stand victorious with Him in all circumstances. We have to keep learning, all of us, day by day, not to rely on emotions at all. Never! Situations change every time we take another breath. The only thing we can count on that never changes is the Lord Jesus and His eternal loving kindness toward us and His care & provision for our every need.

Our faith grows and is being perfected by God. Even great people of faith in the Bible wavered at times. Jesus teaches us to use the tiniest faith that we have, even the faith of a grain of mustard seed and He will give us more. (Luke 16:10; Matthew 25:21)

Feelings direct us to God. When things are going well, we can praise Him and thank Him for the blessings! When things seem to be going wrong, we can still praise the Lord and thank Him for the blessing of being able to pray and ask Him to show us what is in our hearts so that we can learn to trust Him. This is the gift of the abundant life in Christ Jesus.

Look at it this way: Our doubts are growing pains, an indication that the Holy Spirit is showing us it is time to grow in faith. The Spirit of Jesus Christ in us is working in us for our greater good, to help us to desire to trust and obey Him. Nothing that we see or feel is more dependable than Almighty God. We are learning more and more to depend on God in every situation so that we can have perfect peace in Him alone.

I encourage your comments and all the Scriptures you can find that will help us in growing our faith.
 

SoulWeaver

Senior Member
Oct 25, 2014
4,889
2,534
113
#2
A very interesting post! I sign everything you said.

Many people think love is an emotion, so when their emotions in relationship with God or spouse wear out, they believe the love is gone. But love is not an emotion, love is an emotional disposition.
That means that if someone I love is happy or things go well for them, I will rejoice.
If they are sad or if misfortune hits them, I will mourn with them and try to comfort them and help them.

I also believe there is a distinguishment between "emotions" that come of flesh, from what some people call "gut feeling" (though I dont like calling it that way, some mix it up with emotions), but which is from the Spirit, the Spirit resides in the belly, it helps us tell the right from wrong and He speaks to us inside like a small still voice, like He was with Elijah.
John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

That is why many say, always go with the first feel, what you know inside, that goes right from the spirit, after that the devil tries to outshout God... Then emotions kick in so we get swayed and doubt. Like, I instantly might discern some person has bad intents and to watch out, I see evil in the very countenance and gives me creeps, but then other factors kick in and try to sway my first, correct perception, per example they are extra nice to me and this might cause me to feel guilt and be swayed in the correct judgment. Judgment not as to hate them, but to watch out from them.
 

Joidevivre

Senior Member
Jul 15, 2014
3,838
271
83
#3
In a nutshell (which is the best place I speak from), your feelings will usually not line up with what God says about anything. Because faith is just a choice to believe something. God does not look at your feelings, He looks at your faith.

As He did when Jesus said in the garden, "Not my will....but yours be done". Jesus did not feel like going to the cross...but God honored His action of obedience and faith that it was the Father's will. God ignored his feelings. And He will do the same with ours.

All we have to do is give thanks for what God says about something. No matter what your feelings tell you, your faith is now being your voice.

And since you are in Christ, and He is the author and finisher of faith.....well, you can do it! Make your choice.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
#4
I look at it this way,

Faith will live forever, until someone lets you down (which god will never do)

feelings change from one minute to the next. and are quite unreliable.

Faith can be trusted (faith is trust)

feelings will always let you down.
 
A

AbbeyJoy

Guest
#5
I often fight with my feelings... sometimes when I don't "feel" like talking to someone whom God wants me talk to I had to make a choice. Go with my feelings or what God had me do.. so yeah it's hard at time.
 
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VioletReigns

Guest
#6
My spiritual mother from years ago reminded me when I would say obedience to God was sometimes difficult, "No, it's not difficult. It's IMPOSSIBLE without God." But with God all things are possible.

Think of the parable Jesus told about the two sons, one of whom rebelled against their father and said he didn't want to do what his father asked, the second one said he would. The first one repented and did the thing his father asked and the second one didn't do what he originally said he would. Jesus said the first one did the father's will. (Matthew 21:28-31)

The first son did not feel like obeying but he did anyway. The second one felt good intentions but did not obey after all. As long as we obey, our feelings don't matter. Obeying is faith, not feelings.
 
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Least

Guest
#7
I can agree with most of what you said Violet, Yet not with all of it.

As long as we are in this world we are in the flesh. Even Jesus, when He walked in this world expressed emotions based on feelings. The shortest verse in the bible is, "Jesus Wept." He didn't hide that emotion or hide Himself from the flesh.
When the fig tree didn't produce fruit, Jesus expressed frustration.

Mark 11:12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:
Mark 11:13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
Mark 11:14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.


Paul said:

Romans 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.


How do we rejoice with those that do rejoice if we don't "feel," that joy for them? How do we weep with them that weep, if we don't "feel," that compassion for them?

Even Jeremiah, (because of the book of Lamentations,) Is referred to as the, "Weeping Prophet."

I believe, that it comes down to examining ourselves in every situation. To see if it is of the flesh of of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
 
V

VioletReigns

Guest
#8
I can agree with most of what you said Violet, Yet not with all of it.

As long as we are in this world we are in the flesh. Even Jesus, when He walked in this world expressed emotions based on feelings. The shortest verse in the bible is, "Jesus Wept." He didn't hide that emotion or hide Himself from the flesh.
When the fig tree didn't produce fruit, Jesus expressed frustration.

Mark 11:12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:
Mark 11:13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
Mark 11:14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.


Paul said:

Romans 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.


How do we rejoice with those that do rejoice if we don't "feel," that joy for them? How do we weep with them that weep, if we don't "feel," that compassion for them?

Even Jeremiah, (because of the book of Lamentations,) Is referred to as the, "Weeping Prophet."

I believe, that it comes down to examining ourselves in every situation. To see if it is of the flesh of of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Thank you, Sister Least. Yes, I agree and expressed in my OP that we are to share our feelings with our brethren in Christ and with God. I'm sorry if it was misconstrued that I suggest we deny or hide our feelings. My point is, don't be controlled by your emotions (flesh) as instructed in the above Scripture you gave (Galatians 5:16) So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives, that you are NOT controlled by your flesh.
 
Dec 12, 2013
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#9
Hebrews 4:15 For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the FEELING of our infirmities: but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Feeling-->sumpatheo-->to FEEL sympathy with by implication to commiserate, to be touched with the FEELING of.... ;)
 
J

JesusIsAll

Guest
#10
A great man of faith once said, and I also know this to be true,

"You don't know the Holy Spirit by emotions, your emotions being the shallowest part of your soul. God doesn't do the deepest work in the shallowest part of our souls. The Holy Spirit speaks to the human spirit not in an emotional feeling, but in a spiritual awareness."
 

SoulWeaver

Senior Member
Oct 25, 2014
4,889
2,534
113
#11
Hebrews 4:15 For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the FEELING of our infirmities: but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Feeling-->sumpatheo-->to FEEL sympathy with by implication to commiserate, to be touched with the FEELING of.... ;)
Yes, feelings can be working in favor of faith, by producing compassion.
It is well known, at least I've heard from old wise folk, that the poor go to beg in poor houses because it is there where they will get bread... because those from the rich houses will usually chase them away from the door...
 
J

JesusIsAll

Guest
#12
I also believe there is a distinguishment between "emotions" that come of flesh, from what some people call "gut feeling" (though I dont like calling it that way, some mix it up with emotions), but which is from the Spirit, the Spirit resides in the belly, it helps us tell the right from wrong and He speaks to us inside like a small still voice, like He was with Elijah.
John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
The Spirit is in the eyes and ears that can see and hear the things of God, allowing you to everything from see the world for what it is to doing right to understanding scripture, as Adrian Rogers said, "Spirituality isn't goose bumps and liver shivers."
 

SoulWeaver

Senior Member
Oct 25, 2014
4,889
2,534
113
#13
The Spirit is in the eyes and ears that can see and hear the things of God, allowing you to everything from see the world for what it is to doing right to understanding scripture, as Adrian Rogers said, "Spirituality isn't goose bumps and liver shivers."
Brother JesusIsAll, I dont talk about bodily sensations. I tried intentionally to distiguish it from mere bodily sensation but I see I was misunderstood, I was talking about telling good from evil. Some people confuse it with bodily sensations but it is not it, this is the knowledge from the spirit. It is only the same that it comes from the inside.
 
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JesusIsAll

Guest
#14
Brother JesusIsAll, I dont talk about bodily sensations. I tried intentionally to distiguish it from mere bodily sensation but I see I was misunderstood, I was talking about telling good from evil. Some people confuse it with bodily sensations but it is not it, this is the knowledge from the spirit. It is only the same that it comes from the inside.
No, nothing misunderstood, there was nothing there addressed to you personally, was rather adding to your good comments that distinguish between the flesh emotions and the Spirit speaking.
 
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JesusIsAll

Guest
#15
John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Luke 17:20-21 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
 
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VioletReigns

Guest
#16
John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Luke 17:20-21 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
Amen, Brother JesusIsAll! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord for giving us His Holy Spirit to discern Him in everlasting reality! GLORY!! \:D/

Again folks, nowhere in the OP does it say feelings are evil. Wowzers, how things can get misconstrued online. Perhaps I should have kept my OP in the RDCV (Readers Digest Condensed Version) and not so wordy. LOL!!
;)
 
J

JesusIsAll

Guest
#17
Amen, Brother JesusIsAll! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord for giving us His Holy Spirit to discern Him in everlasting reality! GLORY!! \:D/

Again folks, nowhere in the OP does it say feelings are evil. Wowzers, how things can get misconstrued online. Perhaps I should have kept my OP in the RDCV (Readers Digest Condensed Version) and not so wordy. LOL!!
;)
Just praise Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Those verses have always been most powerful to me, in their statement of how the Spirit works, how all, the kingdom, is by the power of the Spirit, how He is spiritual life itself and lives in us, in a Presence as sublime as peace itself, yet at the same time connected to all aspects of our souls. An awesome mystery!
 
Nov 21, 2014
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#18
Nearly all agreed in this one .Now thats progress.

Unlike the church. Do you know there is nearly 35.000 (Could be as high as 55.000) Christain denominations. Someting totally wrong there. And we wonder how we cant agree with each other :) Thats 35.000 that dont agree with each other :(
Aint that someting to think on.
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,095
6,479
113
#19
QUOTE:

The Spirit is in the eyes and ears that can see and hear the things of God, allowing you to everything from see the world for what it is to doing right to understanding scripture, as Adrian Rogers said, "Spirituality isn't goose bumps and liver shivers."

END QUOTE..........

yeah, but, a "close encounter" with the Holy Spirit may result in one "feeling" such as these.........

His presence in our lives has an effect on all of us............spirit, soul, and body..........