God's Truth Over Feelings
Have you ever found yourself trying to justify a response, even though deep down you know your response is not godly? Maybe you’ve shared your feelings with a friend, hoping they’ll reassure you that are entitled to act on them. Someone hurts you, and you want to pay them back. Or perhaps you’ve been the friend who listens while someone seeks validation for a response that clearly isn’t God’s way.
I’ve been on both sides of that conversation. If we’re honest, we often enjoy nursing our wounds and finding company in the process. We also live in a culture where people can passionately and publicly defend ideas that sound convincing and acceptable, even when they directly contradict God’s Word.
Feelings are part of being human, and God created us to experience them. We often can’t control what we feel; how we respond is entirely up to us. That’s one reason that knowing God’s Word is so important. When our emotions pull us in one direction, we have God’s truth to anchor us.
The book of Daniel speaks prophetically of difficult days to come: He will flatter and win over those who have violated the covenant. But the people who know their God will be strong and resist him (11:32 NLT). Some were persuaded by smooth words and appealing arguments, but those who truly knew God were not deceived.
Jude describes a similar danger. False teachers were telling people that they could live by their natural instincts, indulge immoral desires, reject authority, and simply presume upon God’s grace. Yet God calls His people to something much higher. He calls us to follow His Word even when it’s unpopular, and to lovingly encourage others to do the same.
Jude writes, But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith... (v. 20) and you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering (v. 22). What a beautiful balance of truth and grace. We are not called to condemn people, but neither are we called to affirm what God says is wrong. Instead, we are called to know the truth, live by it, and share it with love.
Sometimes that means telling our own feelings that they must take a backseat to Christ’s lordship. Other times it means gently helping a friend evaluate their situation through the lens of Scripture—rather than through their emotions. God’s way is always best, even when it isn’t the easiest path.
Daniel 12:3 reminds us of the eternal value of such faithfulness: Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.
Being a voice of truth and love is not always easy, but it has eternal significance. The next time we’re tempted to let our feelings lead, let’s ask ourselves, “How would Jesus have me respond?” And when a friend is struggling with the same question, let’s lovingly point them to God’s truth and pray that the Holy Spirit will give us the strength to walk in His ways.
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Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
