Feelings and Feelings
There are certain words in the Scriptures which are used in opposite senses. The classic example is that of "works," which God curses and blesses. "Not of works lest any man should boast," is followed by ‘`we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works" (Eph. 2:9, 10). Works upon which we are dependent for salvation must ever be cursed of God, but works which flower from the new creation of life in Christ Jesus, are not only blessed of God, but are also a part of the purpose of our new creation.
A word which is not found in the Bible on the same scale as the word "works," but which is capable of a double usage, is the word "feelings." When used in a non-Biblical sense, it has long been pilloried by those who would present the message of salvation in all its fullness. Salvation has never depended and could never depend upon the feelings of any individual. There are undoubtedly some who "feel" safe who are in reality lost souls because they have not trusted in Christ. There are others who do not "feel" saved, but who are no doubt true children of God.
There are feelings, however, which are perfectly legitimate. There are thousands of true believers who delight in the fact that they know they are saved not only because God says so, but because they also possess the quiet satisfaction of feeling that all is well. When David asked for the restoration of the joy of his salvation, he was asking for a feeling; for joy is most certainly to be classed with the emotions. There are many emotions which are quite proper in the Christian experience, and which should not be repressed. We love Him because He first loved us, and there is most certainly feeling, both in His love for us and our returning love. Wherever there is a conflict, though, between our feelings and the Word of God, we choose the Word of God. This choice flows from our very name of believer. We are those who believe the Word above all else.
Another common usage of the word "feeling" is that which expresses an absolute conviction of being in the Lord's will on the basis of the leading of the Holy Spirit. We say, for example, that we "feel led" of the Lord to do a certain thing. Is this an idle feeling, the mere equivalent of a human whim, the rising desire of the flesh? Not according to the Word of God. John gives us the basis of this feeling or conviction in his first Epistle. "For if our heart condemn us," that is, if we feel that we have offended the Lord, "God is greater than our hearts, and knoweth all things"; which is to say, God, who knows all things, will condemn us all the more. But then we read, "Beloved, if our heart condemn us not," that is, if we are in a course of action where we feel that we have the mind of the Lord as revealed by the indwelling Spirit, "then have we confidence toward God" (1 John 3:20, 21). Our confidence is a feeling; it is a firm assurance. We have sought the Lord's will by all the channels we know, and believe we have it and are yielded to it.
1. What are some examples of God talking about His feelings in the scriptures?
2. What do these passages about God’s “feelings” or “emotions” tell us about the character of God?
3. How does the emotions or feelings of God teach us how to live?
