One of the determining factors today is “How does this make me feel?” In other words, our feelings determine what we believe and what we do. This philosophy is nothing new. Many of you are probably too young to remember a song from the 70s (1977 to be exact) that Debby Boone sang: “You Light Up My Life.” Man, was it a chart topper! But in the lyrics was a phrase that capped off the belief system of so many then…and so many now. “It can’t be wrong/when it feels so right.” That blast from the past predates our current culture, but certainly not in sentiment. Far too much of what we do and say is based on how it makes us feel.
That goes for our faith as well. For too many people what they feel determines what they believe. The result (in their minds) is that because the Bible does not line up with their feelings, it must not be true. After all, our feelings don’t lie. Or do they? You know the answer to that. So instead of allowing the truth of the Bible to determine what we believe and how we behave, the “truth” of our culture or even our gut matters more. Feelings determine whether something is right or wrong, not what the Bible says. “I don’t like how it makes me feel so I’m going to change the truth to fit my feelings.” That has so many wrong conclusions its scary. “I love those people so I am going to excuse their sinful behavior.” “He didn’t like those people or what they did so he murdered them.” The reality of this is that instead of being changed and motivated by what the Bible says, we interpret the Bible through our clouded and biased lens of “I think” or “I don’t think.” Or “I feel” or “I don’t feel.” The ultimate end is we can justify just about anything we want to. How else can we simply sit by while people lie, cheat, steal, resist arrest, kill, take another’s spouse, scheme to undermine someone and not feel an ounce of shame or guilt? Easy. We have hardened our hearts and consciences to the wrong and the right of situations.
If we want to change our lives and turn our world around, it will not be done by the government, by rules and laws. It will be done when our lives are transformed by the truth of the Gospel not the so-called “truth” of our feelings or our culture. As Joshua put it: “Choose today whom you will serve, but as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)
Feelings are transient and fickle. Those should be the last place we go in trying to understand God’s Word, because that Word is everlasting and God can’t change His mind (or feelings) like we do. Great reflection today, Bill!
Blessings!
Thanks Martha and yes they are transient and fickle
There has to be an solid foundation, an anchored truth. Without a source of truth, we truly are at the mercy of the culture to determine that truth. That culture can be influenced by God and by the enemy. If we allow culture to decide the truth we live by, we will continually miss it. Jesus provided the expectations to live by. I have been rereading the sermon on the mount… Hard expectations to meet… Which was the point, because Jesus fills in the gap where we can’t. Jesus’ desire is that we choose to Love Him first and secondly love everyone else… Then out of that love, live a life that represents that love. If we all strived for that, the world would be a better place.
Well said Ryan. Without the solid foundation of Christ we are drifters in the wind. I especially agree with your last thought: “Jesus’ desire is that we choose…” Thanks for the comment today
Thanks Bill, I do remember the song, you light of my life, so that does that put me in the old category. LOL
Seriously, there is only one source of truth, and that is the Bible. To quote Tony Evans:”Truth is the absolute standard by which reality is measured, God views and words are the absolute truth.”
If our thoughts and views do not line up with the Bible, then we have to repent, and admit we are wrong. God cannot lie, and He is perfect, therefore we can put our full trust in God. Everything we do or say, or think, needs to be measured by the truth of the Bible.
1Tim1:17
Welcome to the club Gail! 🙂 Tony quote is spot on and so are yours.