Dear Sister,
These days truth seems to be relative. We live in a world that says truth is defined by how you feel and no one can say we are wrong because his or her truth is not our truth. We act according to what feels good in the circumstance. If we are attracted to the same sex, then it must be OK because it feels good. If we don’t feel like going to work or school we can just skip it. If we fell out of love with our husband than we can divorce him because the Lord wants us to be happy. If we want to be married or have children then the Lord must give them to us because that is what will make our heart happy. If it is that time of the month then we can be curt and short with those we love because we feel like it. After all, we don’t want to lie to others about how we feel.
But this is not truth. Truth does not change and waver with the weather. Unchangeable truth comes from God and His word. That is what we need to base our truth, not our feelings and emotions.
Emotions are a tricky thing. Our creator experiences emotions, but he experiences them without the stain of sin. His feelings do not control him. But we are stained by sin and are often controlled by our emotions. The Father of Lies will tie our emotions to changeable circumstances so we forget to call upon the unchangeable realities of God and His truth to define the truth of our feelings. Instead of saying, “Wow, I feel totally alone right now, yet I know that the Bible says God is always near.” We say, “Wow, I feel totally alone right now, so God must have abandoned me”. Instead of saying, “The Lord has given me this job or husband because He loves and takes care of me”, we say, “Wow, the Lord really blew it when He gave me this job or husband”. Instead of saying, “I know that I have feelings toward this other woman, but I know that the Lord said it is sinful and He will help me through this sexual confusion”, we say, “Wow, this woman makes me feel like no man ever could so it must be right”.
So, how do we know what is truth and what is untruth (lies) as we go through this life of relative truth tied to emotions? Oh sister, it is going to take work. Hard work. We have to prepare for the fight before it happens. We have to study the character of God that is true and right to fight the feelings that come dancing with our circumstances. We have to talk to ourselves with the truth of God’s Word, rather than listen to our feelings. We need to memorize scripture, have a list of people we can call to tell us the truth when we don’t know how to act on our feelings. We need to go to church to hear the Word of God preached. This needs to be an offensive war, not a reactive one. And like everything, it starts with resting in the gospel afresh. Preach to yourself the gospel each morning: which is that as a result of having let your feelings dictate your life instead of God’s word, you deserve the wrath of God. But Jesus in His mercy took the punishment of your misused feelings for you on the cross. Then when He rose again he credited you his righteousness, including his perfect emotions, forever! Your sins are forgiven! These are facts. This is THE truth. Just because you don’t FEEL forgiven doesn’t erase the FACT that you are forgiven in Christ. So sister, fight the changeable lies with the unchangeable truth of the gospel. God and His word can be trusted! His word is reliable. He is good. And no matter what you are facing, despite how you feel, He will never leave or forsake you.
Your Sister,
Colleen