Faith and Feelings

By Dan C Bailey     The scripture teaches us that we must "... walk by faith, not by sight "(II Corinthians 5:7). To walk by faith is to believe with all of one's heart what God has said. God has told us about immortality and heaven. We've yet to receive our immortal body to house our immortal soul, but we firmly believe that it will be so. "For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality" (I Corinthians 15:53).     It is sad and tragic that so many people trust their feelings more than the word of God. There is no doubt, but that false teaching on the Holy Spirit has led to much error along this line. People even pray that the Holy Spirit has led to much error along this line. People even pray that the Holy Spirit will directly guide them in their daily affairs. They wait to be moved by feelings which are supposedly from the Holy Spirit.     It is interesting that Jesus said, "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God" (Luke 8:11).He also said, "When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side"(Mathew 13:19).     It is clear that the Spirit of God operates on the heart of man through His word.  Thus we read, "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17). By obedience to the word of God, we enter into the kingdom of Christ. In like manner, by obedience to the word as Christians, we will someday be saved eternally, and will enter into glory. James said, "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls" (James 1:21). And the apostle Paul told the brethren, "...I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified (Acts 20:32).      There is one more important thing to consider. Those who walk by faith have the very feelings with which God is pleased. They manifest love, compassion, mercy, peace, joy, comfort, and zeal, all as a result of the powerful word of the living God. "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).     Let us stay with the truth. Let us never drift into the false feeling movement. Our direction comes from God by means of His word. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105).

- Dan C. Bailey serves as a minister with the State Street Church of Christ in Bristol, VA. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at https://www.thelordsway.com/statestreetchurchofchrist/framedindex.asp?Group=Home