What's wrong with feelings?

[Brandon777]

So I hear that feelings are not what we should base our Christianity on because they can be unstable as our moods fluxuate. So what do we base our trust of God on? I mean trust is earned right? So why do you trust God?

 

[dliz]

Faith is not based on emotions. Our emotions can be very deceiving that could lead us astray.If we are to live according to our emotions, we are not living by faith. Faith is choosing to believe, accept and rest in the fact that God is Sovereign and He knows the big picture.I learned that faith is believing what God says is true no matter how my emotions are behaving.

 

[imperfection]

It's wrong to think that trust is earned. At least, it's not like that with God. To trust God is a choice. Faith is a choice. You choose to believe wether you feel like it or not, wether you have some logical explanation or not.

So in order to trust, you need to dig into the scripture, feed yourself with the Word and get to know God more and more. You can't trust a stranger. If God is a stranger to you, how do you want to trust Him?

So you base your trust on the Word, on getting to know God and by choosing to do so.

 

[Brandon777]

Well I think trust is earned.

 

[River_W]

Suppose someone came to you with a great message. You like it and begin to believe in it, but sometimes, you have to wonder if what the person told you is true not. The person ends up dying for what he/she believes in. Would you trust the person knew that they are talking about?

Well, that's kind of what Jesus did. He suffered and died for His message--it was part of His message, actually. But it was through Christ's rising that we are assured of God's promises for us. God already performed the ultimate action that calls for our trust in Him. We just have to have faith. His faithfulness is shown throughout the Old and New Testaments.

There's nothing wrong with feelings. You can't get rid of them. Some are deceiving and pull people away from God. Others, however, are marvelous responses of the heart to God's works in our lives. But like imperfection noted, trust and faith in a choice--and if God is a stranger, He going to be harder to trust.

Why do I trust God? On top of what I explained above, I've had a few personal experiences that really broke down the many barriers that I put up to guard my heart and increased my faith.

In Christ,
River

 

[Brandon777]

You're argument is not strong. People die for things that aren't worth anything at all, all the time. Like people in gang wars to protect their turf, or cults that drink poison kool-aid. Or people committing suicide because they believe in ending their pain above the well-being of others around them that would collectively experience much more pain than they. Plus, Jesus was so long ago, it's seems more like folk lore faith. I mean how can God expect me to be so close to Him if He doesn't even show Himself after I talk to Him? One way conversation much. He's definitely the strong silent type--that or it's cold shoulder. I can't tell.

Also one can get rid of feelings.

 

[River_W]

Do you mind if I send you a PM? I'd like to tell you a story tomorrow if you're up to it. I just don't want to fill up your thread.

You can get rid of feelings? How so? I guess you can numb or cut off certain feelings, if that's what you mean. But can you be feeling-less?

I admit I didn't make a very strong argument. That's why I don't debate politics. But one point can still be drawn from it. What things have worth to you?

Gang wars--you said they were protecting turf. Turf=valuable to the gangs, but not necessarily to anyone else. If a member dies, the others have a tendency to rally behind the him. It's unfortunate, but reality.
The Jonestown incident--that's an incident of total deception, but still...Jim Jones, the "son of God" was their religion, and his promises were worth something to his followers, so they obeyed him.
Suicide--I've lost 4 friends to suicide...1 was bipolar, and the other 3 suffered from depression and told me that they felt useless. They didn't think that they were valuable. All 4 loved their families and friends, but some simply didn't feel loved by anyone. Suicide's complicated.

Examine yourself. God...do you think He is worth trusting? What is God worth to you? In light of Christ's sacrifice, what do you believe God thinks of your worth, Brandon?

I have a few more things to say, but I am practically falling asleep on my laptop and my words will begin to become even more incoherent than they probably already are. I'll say more in the morning, and it will give me time to pray more about my words, anyway. Goodnight!

In Christ,
River

 

[Daniel94]

So I hear that feelings are not what we should base our Christianity on because they can be unstable as our moods fluxuate. So what do we base our trust of God on? I mean trust is earned right? So why do you trust God?

I think faith and emotions are separate because faith is believing no matter what, but emotions do play a role in our relationship with God. I think we all form a relationship with God and of course in that relationship our feelings are included. When we form our relationship with God we are going to love Him, but then there are going to be times, like how you feel now, where you think you are just talking to yourself. This doesn't mean He doesn't hear you. He hears all of our cries for help and guidance. Sometimes though we are not focusing on the right thing(not saying you are not focusing on the right thing). God has an unconditional love for us though so He won't betray us unless we betray Him first and even then He is always waiting with open arms. My point is though that every relationship has its ups and downs. We just have to make sure we find our way back home.

I really don't know how to explain why I trust God. Don't get me wrong I trust and believe with all my heart, but I don't know how to explain it. Personal experiences and of course, when God shows Himself through the little things that happen in life that you don't even realize at first are one way I know He is there and I can trust Him.

 

[imperfection]

You know, trusting in God pretty much works the same as trusting a person you are in a relationship with. The only difference is that people can disappoint you and let you down, but God CANNOT and WILL NOT. Never ever.

Although I firmly believe that trust and faith are not earned, you can also see it like this....God has done so many things for you and for me, that you can actually say that He already earned all the trust and faith someone can put in Him.

The problem with the one-way road of talking to God and never getting anything back is a great one. Because sometimes we talk too much. We keep talking and talking...and we are philosophical about everyone and everything. Only if we would shut up and listen and be still, we could hear God more often. He reveals Himself throughout the day to everyone....but only the people that are sensitive to His presence can see and hear and feel.

Just try it out....I'm sure you won't be disappointed

 

[Brandon777]

You know, trusting in God pretty much works the same as trusting a person you are in a relationship with. The only difference is that people can disappoint you and let you down, but God CANNOT and WILL NOT. Never ever.

Although I firmly believe that trust and faith are not earned, you can also see it like this....God has done so many things for you and for me, that you can actually say that He already earned all the trust and faith someone can put in Him.

The problem with the one-way road of talking to God and never getting anything back is a great one. Because sometimes we talk too much. We keep talking and talking...and we are philosophical about everyone and everything. Only if we would shut up and listen and be still, we could hear God more often. He reveals Himself throughout the day to everyone....but only the people that are sensitive to His presence can see and hear and feel.

Just try it out....I'm sure you won't be disappointed

I'd really like to see how you define God never disappoints us. So you think God wants us to "shut up"? Sounds very kindhearted... Plus, I've gone that road. I don't just blab; I've sat for hours many a time in silence. Although I must confess to my guilt of thinking a lot about what I say; kidding of course. Is His presence so weak that only the ultra perceptive can detect His minuscule transmition? Sounds a bit ridiculous for a God of such boasting magnitude.

 

[chasten]

Well, I have been trying this new thing. God always is happy when we try to find ways to be with him, and aknkoledge him in every way. God is everything good in the world. Like your first kiss, your first dance, stuff dad wouldnt wanna miss out on. The bible says our thoughts are governed by either one lord or the other, so I figured, I would start catching all those good thoughts and feelings. And follow them, and please and thank you, and ask for another one... and I keep getting more and more of those thoughts, and feelings. In the midst of this world, I really beleive god is EVERY good thought that I have so instead of letting them pass by, why not talk to him? Life is too chaotic sometimes, and waay too short to just let those moments pass by. Trying to find ways to interact with god will always prevail. God is god. There is nothing he cannot do, or anything about me that he cannot change.HE WILL find a way to talk to you. And I will let him know that Im here, ready to listen. Ready at all costs, for a relationship. God is very quiet at first. And I dont think god boasts. He just laid it out, either you can follow me or you wont... Who are you to say what gods true personality is? I mean if hes real. He more than just omnipotent. More than just god. He has a personality. Maybe part of loving him and knowing him, and having a relationship with him, is knowing his personality, and excepting him for WHO he is. Some people are quiet. Why should he have to change who he is to satisfy us? HE is the god...

 

[Brandon777]

River: I don't get what your point was. Other than saying Jesus's sacrifice is how I should see that God loves me. I'm not convinced that a blood sacrifice is how I want to attain my holiness.

Daniel: Is your relationship with God separate from your faith? That's what I got from your first statement. I don't feel like I'm talking to myself actually. I'm just confused that the Christian faith labels God as Father when He clearly doesn't treat us that way. "He hears all of our cries for help and guidance." Where'd you get that fluffy, nice message? A preacher who wanted your money or the glory of more people in His church? Proverbs 15:29 "The LORD is far from wicked people, but he hears the prayers of righteous people." Romans 3:10 "As it is written [also in the Old Testament]: "There is none righteous, not even one". Does unconditional love include roasting most people for eternity? How do you define unconditional love then; that should be interesting. I like testing people about what they believe.

I get what you mean about the little things.

 

[jimmydiggs]

God says to trust him. I believe him, so I do.

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF-DGbjF34Q[/video]

 

[Brandon777]

According to Christianity, ie the Bible, Father God sits in heaven with angels chanting holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come every second of the day. He's being worshiped by the things He created in heaven, and the things on earth are not only less glorious and powerful, but He says that heaven is His throne, while earth is His footstool. God can't lie or break a promise, but apparently He can kill anyone He likes and often employs this right. "HE WILL find a way to talk to you." hope is so beautiful. Yet I can't help there's something wrong with the fact that He would struggle talking to me when I search and listen for Him. You do make a good point about that it could be His personality to be quiet. I've said to people, maybe it was even this post, that God could be the strong silent type. He likes making people work for understanding and His favor and most valuable words.

 

[Brandon777]

God says to trust him. I believe him, so I do.

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF-DGbjF34Q[/video]

I won't say that's not annoying. I smell self-righteousness a mile away.

 

[jimmydiggs]

I won't say that's not annoying. I smell self-righteousness a mile away.

Not this time.


You said trust is earned. While that is true of humans, because humans are fallen beings.. that's not true of God. God says to trust him. Are we not to trust and obey?

 

[Adrianv125]

1 Corinthians 2:14-16

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Isaiah 55:8-9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.


Romans 10:17
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

[Daniel94]

Daniel: Is your relationship with God separate from your faith? That's what I got from your first statement.

Yes and no. Yes because faith, as in faith of God, isn't based on emotions. No because when you're in a relationship with someone you have "faith" that you can trust and love that person without being let down. (Faith in God) Someone might criticize me for saying this, but I could see two different forms of faith when talking about Christianity. Faith of God and Faith in God.


Faith has multiple definitions

1.
confidence or trust in a person or thing: faith in another's ability.
2.
belief that is not based on proof: He had faith that the hypothesis would be substantiated by fact.
3.
belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion: the firm faith of the Pilgrims.
4.
belief in anything, as a code of ethics, standards of merit, etc.: to be of the same faith with someone concerning honesty.
5.
a system of religious belief: the Christian faith; the Jewish faith.

I don't feel like I'm talking to myself actually. I'm just confused that the Christian faith labels God as Father when He clearly doesn't treat us that way.

I have felt like I was just talking to myself before. Well if you believe Jesus died for our sins what more do you want him to do? He has already given us the option of salvation and a new way of life.

"He hears all of our cries for help and guidance." Where'd you get that fluffy, nice message? A preacher who wanted your money or the glory of more people in His church? Proverbs 15:29 "The LORD is far from wicked people, but he hears the prayers of righteous people." Romans 3:10 "As it is written [also in the Old Testament]: "There is none righteous, not even one".

Actually that came straight from me. A preacher might have said it, but I formed that sentence on my own accord when I originally typed it. I don't doubt that God hears us. I don't think he is ignoring us rather He has a very close watch on us. As for Proverbs and Romans, I feel although we may never become what God calls "righteous" that when we ask for forgiveness and try to be Christ-like He sees us as trying to obtain that righteousness for Him.

Does unconditional love include roasting most people for eternity? How do you define unconditional love then; that should be interesting.

As crazy as I may sound I think so. Do you think God wants us to spend eternity in Hell? If that were the case we would have never been given the option to be forgiven.<--Sounds like love to me. He hates the sins of the world. Let us assume for a second that you lead a perfect Christian life. You have asked for forgiveness, you follow God's Word, and you have been saved. Now let us also assume that there is a man who does the exact opposite of you by doing everything God hates for us to do. The man never asks for forgiveness so he is not saved. Do you think it would be fair for the man to be with you in Heaven? Should there not be some form of afterlife punishment for those who go against God?

As for how I define unconditional love, I see it as love that never fades no matter what, however, it is often rejected because people don't recognize it.

I like testing people about what they believe.

I like a challenge.

 

[imperfection]

It aches my heart to hear someone talking about my loving Father like this. God doesn't disappoint or fail us. Never ever. It's not a cliche lovey dovey statement, I got somewhere looking around in the Bible.

My life, everything that I did, everything I went through, everything that worked out or didn't work out declares God's glory and His power.

He is the only one that knows how to put the little pieces of life together and make something out of it that we can't imagine or dream of. Hearing God doesn't mean hearing a voice from heaven, or whatever you imagine. Just as someone else mentioned it, it's the thoughts that lead you, the verses you read when you study your Bible, things on the internet that you might come across or other people that inspire you.

God is a creative God. He doesn't use only one way to talk to you. He uses many many different ways. It's not His fault if you expect something else. With shutting your mouth, I didn't mean to come across like it was something mean. It simply means that you have to stop being philosohphic about everything, you have to stop and try to figure out how it is, you have to stop, listen and open your heart.

 

[NinJaGGS]

Everyone's feelings are important in their journey toward God. Feelings seem to me to be the physical manifestation of thoughts. Thoughts can glorify God, but the sad truth is that most thoughts we all have fall short of this goal. The evidence that these corrupt thoughts exist in us all is our feelings. If we have feelings of anger, dissatisfaction, sadness, disdain, discord, or any "negative" emotion, we are not in sync with the Holy Spirit. This is falling short of our calling to be in synergy with God, or united to His Will. The Holy Spirit is known by it's fruits; Joy, Love, Peace, Goodwill, Selflessness, and this list goes on and on. Christ the Lord appeared to those asleep in darkness to indicate the way into the Kingdom of Heaven. You shall eat of the fruit that you cultivate in your life. The more you struggle against evil, starting first with the evil that you yourself align yourself with (no man or woman on earth is sinless) the more you shall be blessed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The feelings you have are markers to you, they show you where you are and what you need to do.
I find it very interesting to go back to the original Greek that the bible was first written in. Words are illuminating.
Diabolos (demon) means "to divide". Demons (sinful acts, passions, sinful thoughts such as judgement, lust, pride, ect.) divide us from God.
(sin) means "to miss the mark" and carries the connotation of missing the aimed for target in archery. We miss the mark of aligning our will with God's and as a result we must undergo Metanoia. Metanoia is the Greek word translated as repentance. Literally it means "to change one's mind"
Christ has overcome this insurmountable task for us. We need only to pray to God and be watchful of our thoughts and feelings so we know in what way we need to grow. This needs to be done in the spirit of Love in order to be of any value at all. The path to the Kingdom is straight and narrow, God guide our steps so we may meet You in heaven!