The Duplicity of Depending on Feelings

Shyju Mathew

"Experience the Word of God, in the power of the Spirit."

December 17, 2009

One of the most used phrases by Christians, trying to ascertain whether they are in the will of God, is the phrase, ‘I FEEL PEACE’ and I am not against it. There have been many times that I have felt the peace of God about situations but over the years being in the ministry, I have noticed that this statement is also abused by some; intentionally or unintentionally. I’ve seen some people change their ‘peace feeling’ as often as who they were dating that week!

It is important for us to know the difference between the will of God and the misguiding of our emotions or feelings. For a long time, I was deceived with the thought of ‘feel like praying’. There were certain times that we feel like praying but let me insist there are many more days that we don’t feel like praying. So, to have procrastinated your time of prayer for the lack of feeling to pray is not you being guided by the Lord but by your own flesh!

Feelings are basic emotions. It can be great, good, bad or worse depending on the circumstance or situations that surround us. A true Christian is not founded on his or her feelings but on the word of God. That certainly means that I need to pray even when I do not feel like praying. It’s a matter of discipline in your walk with God.

Another constant whine that I hear is, “I prayed and I did not feel God”. Now trying to understand what they mean from that statement would then end up to be, I did not feel my usual goosebumps, heat or tingling. Friends, with tingling or no tingling, the Bible promises, ‘He will never leave us nor forsake us’. So that means irrespective of what I feel, He is with me and He hears my prayer!!!

I am not against feelings, infact I feel the presence of God in my palms when I pray but what I’m trying to say is that, I do not base my prayer life or my authority in God or ministry or faith for healings on how I feel in my palms or head. Depending solely on feelings will open your heart to a lot of disappointment.

Imagine if Jesus, through His entire lifetime on earth, depended on feelings rather than the Holy Spirit who led Him to the wilderness to fast and pray. To start with, why is it so hot? I am too exhausted to pray. I need some water to cool my throat after an hour of prayer. The wild animals including the creepy-crawly ones are a distraction. I can’t find a decent shower. I feel tired, lethargic, sun-burnt, dry… What more excuses can we come up with? He certainly didn’t come up with the excuse that, ‘God understands my situation.’

Jesus was not led by His feelings instead was led by the Holy Spirit. Now notice the word is led, not guided. Meaning He was fully dependent on the Holy Spirit. No wonder why regardless of how tiresome Jesus’ impromptu conferences felt or how long the healing line was, He still went up to pray throughout the night!

God help us – from the enemy using the duplicity of our feelings against our walk with God!

So, whether you feel Him or not, hear Him or not, do not be discouraged. He is our ever present help.