"Fact or Feelings"

Have you ever been at a place where your senses fail you? Take for instance where there is an illusion that the law of gravity is askew? Near Los Angeles, Ca. it is said that motorists stop their cars at a certain point on the side of a hill, shut off their engines and release the brake. Their car seems to roll up hill! But a plumb level placed on the ground where the cars begin shows that the cars are actually rolling downhill. The eye can be deceived while the level cannot.

In our lives, we have to make determinations about things. How do we go about those determinations? Many make them on their natural senses of feelings and emotions. When people form statements and beliefs based on how they feel or are emotionally moved at the moment, that is not a safe thing to do. God's word tells us, "But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil." (I Thes. 5:21-22) How does one go about examining and what standard of that examining is to be used?

It has to be based on the word of God, not our feelings. Too many are basing things on their emotional state at the moment. That is why parents fail in dealing properly with their children because there is such a strong sense of feeling and love for their child, that becomes the basis of their reasoning's and thoughts in dealing with them. The same is said of our salvation. Too many base their relationship with the Lord on what they feel. They feel the Lord's nearness or feel Him in their heart. Listen carefully to these words from the Lord: "He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered." (Prov. 28:26) Jeremiah speaks that the heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick (Jer. 17:9). What is one to do? Follow the Lord and His word and not your feelings or some catchy phrase from the world.

"Thus says the Lord, 'Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength, and whose heart turns away from the Lord." (Jer. 17:5) Our determinations and walk with the Lord must be based on the Lord and nothing else. Sometimes it is difficult to accept but it is always the best thing to do. By following the Lord you will not have to worry about a harmful decision made that will make matters worse down the line. It might hurt at the moment but it will lead you to peace and will deliver you from fleshly, wrong moves. Too many walk with their emotions and senses and the word of God is left inactive.

"Feelings come and feelings go, and feelings are deceiving;

My warrant is the Word of God, nothing else is worth believing.

I'll trust in God's unchanging Word, till spirit and body sever;

For though all things shall pass away, His Word shall stand forever."