faith, facts and feelings faith, facts and feelings

Faith, Facts and FeelingsFaith, Facts and Feelings

There is great power in our emotions.There is great power in our emotions.

• Often great coaches are known as Often great coaches are known as motivators, enabling their team to play with motivators, enabling their team to play with great strength at a crucial moment.great strength at a crucial moment.

• Great coaches also know that emotion Great coaches also know that emotion alone will not help. One must know the alone will not help. One must know the fundamentals.fundamentals.


• One of the great challenges to knowing One of the great challenges to knowing God’s word is the ability to distinguish God’s word is the ability to distinguish between our feelings and what God says. between our feelings and what God says. (Jer 10:23)(Jer 10:23)


• Jeremiah 10:23 (NKJV)Jeremiah 10:23 (NKJV) - O Lord, I know - O Lord, I know the way of man the way of man isis not in himself not in himself; ; It isIt is not in not in man who walks to direct his own steps.man who walks to direct his own steps.


• When a religion ceases to appeal to a When a religion ceases to appeal to a reasoned approach upon the word of God, reasoned approach upon the word of God, they will use “fleshly” appeals to gain their they will use “fleshly” appeals to gain their man-made goals.man-made goals.

• Sometimes flattery, large buildings and Sometimes flattery, large buildings and large crowds are appealed to.large crowds are appealed to.(Rom 16:18; 1 Thess 2:5;(Rom 16:18; 1 Thess 2:5; Jude 16)Jude 16)


• Romans 16:18 (NKJV)Romans 16:18 (NKJV) - For those who - For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth by smooth words and flattering speechwords and flattering speech deceive the deceive the hearts of the simple. hearts of the simple.


• 1 Thessalonians 2:5 (NKJV)1 Thessalonians 2:5 (NKJV) - For - For neither at any time did we use neither at any time did we use flattering flattering wordswords, as you know, nor a cloak for , as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God covetousness—God isis witness. witness.


• Jude 16 (NKJV)Jude 16 (NKJV) - These are grumblers, - These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth own lusts; and they mouth great swelling great swelling wordswords,, flattering people to gain advantage. flattering people to gain advantage.


• Others will appeal to emotionalism and Others will appeal to emotionalism and claim the Holy Spirit is responsible.claim the Holy Spirit is responsible.

• The current trend in religion is The current trend in religion is performance worship. You can use music performance worship. You can use music and drama to powerfully influence the will and drama to powerfully influence the will of men.of men.


• Cults will use these things plus other Cults will use these things plus other systems to provoke and manage emotions systems to provoke and manage emotions that will bring one to be a willing that will bring one to be a willing slave of men.slave of men.

• Our emotions are God given and there for Our emotions are God given and there for have an important place in our service to have an important place in our service to Him. Him.

• Emotion should be a by-product of things Emotion should be a by-product of things deeply believed.deeply believed.


• It is possible to by-pass the mind and It is possible to by-pass the mind and appeal directly to the emotions.appeal directly to the emotions.

• Many claim these emotions as a sign that Many claim these emotions as a sign that god is working directly.god is working directly.

How Does God Speak to Man?How Does God Speak to Man?

• A.A. God has chosen the gospel. God has chosen the gospel. (1 Cor 1:18, 21-13)(1 Cor 1:18, 21-13)


• 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NKJV)1 Corinthians 1:18 (NKJV) - For the - For the message of the cross is foolishnessmessage of the cross is foolishness to to those who are perishing, but to us who are those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. being saved it is the power of God.


• 1 Corinthians 1:21-23 (NKJV)1 Corinthians 1:21-23 (NKJV) -For since, -For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,and to the Greeks foolishness,


• Many today will fall into one of these Many today will fall into one of these categories. They will not let God be God!categories. They will not let God be God!

• When you “seek a sign” you may find one. When you “seek a sign” you may find one. But is it of God? But is it of God? (1 Thess 2:9)(1 Thess 2:9)


• 2 Thessalonians 2:9 (NKJV) - The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,


• Most men stumble over the gospel Most men stumble over the gospel because of preconceived ideas.because of preconceived ideas.

• Man cannot change the will of God.Man cannot change the will of God.

• Has God chosen an objective standard or Has God chosen an objective standard or a subjective one? a subjective one? (1 Cor 1:18, 27; Rom 1:16)(1 Cor 1:18, 27; Rom 1:16)


• 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NKJV)1 Corinthians 1:18 (NKJV) - For the - For the message of the cross is foolishness to message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. being saved it is the power of God.


• 1 Corinthians 1:27 (NKJV)1 Corinthians 1:27 (NKJV) - But God - But God has chosen the foolish things of the world has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; to shame the things which are mighty;


• Romans 1:16 (NKJV)Romans 1:16 (NKJV) - For I am not - For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.the Greek.


• When we know God we submit to His When we know God we submit to His ways and not try to force God into our ways and not try to force God into our ways. ways. (Isa 55:8)(Isa 55:8)


• Isaiah 55:8 (NKJV) Isaiah 55:8 (NKJV) - - “For My thoughts “For My thoughts areare not your thoughts, Nor not your thoughts, Nor areare your ways your ways My ways,” says the Lord.My ways,” says the Lord.


• Men who do not know God will try to find Men who do not know God will try to find short cuts, both in this life and the life to short cuts, both in this life and the life to come. come. (Luke 16:27-31)(Luke 16:27-31)


• Luke 16:27-31 (NKJVLuke 16:27-31 (NKJV) ) - “Then he said, ‘I - “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 28 for I send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham said to him, ‘They torment.’ 29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ hear them.’


• 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘repent.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise will they be persuaded though one rise from the deadfrom the dead.’”.’”

The Fruits of Subjective ReligionThe Fruits of Subjective Religion

• Subjective religion is dependent upon how Subjective religion is dependent upon how you feel and what you want to believe.you feel and what you want to believe.

• Consider the person who saw “Jesus” on a Consider the person who saw “Jesus” on a hospital door. hospital door.

• Consider the young lady who saw the “virgin Consider the young lady who saw the “virgin Mary” in a cow pasture.Mary” in a cow pasture.

• Mormonism and Subjective Religion.Mormonism and Subjective Religion.• How does one become a Mormon?How does one become a Mormon?• What do Mormons believe?What do Mormons believe?


• How do they appeal to people?How do they appeal to people?

• They claim a direct operation of the Holy They claim a direct operation of the Holy Spirit. Spirit. (Moroni 10:4-5)(Moroni 10:4-5)


• (Moroni 10:4-5) -(Moroni 10:4-5) - And when ye shall receive And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. [of the Holy Ghost. [55] And by ] And by the power of the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all thingsthings. .


• They appeal to feelings and experiences They appeal to feelings and experiences as evidence. as evidence. (D.+C. 9:8) (D.+C. 9:8)


• (D.+C. 9:8) - (D.+C. 9:8) - But, behold, I say unto you, But, behold, I say unto you, that you must that you must study it out in your mind; then you must cask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall ; therefore, you shall feel• that it is right.

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• They give personal testimony of their They give personal testimony of their private experience.private experience.


• Plain statements in the word of God are Plain statements in the word of God are denied. denied. (2 Nephi 29:10)(2 Nephi 29:10)


• (2 Nephi 29:10) -(2 Nephi 29:10) - Wherefore, because that Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be suppose that I have not caused more to be written.written.


• This appeal is commonly used by men.This appeal is commonly used by men.

• If there is no foundation, what will be the If there is no foundation, what will be the results? results? (2 Peter 2:18-19)(2 Peter 2:18-19)


• 2 Peter 2:18-19 (NKJV)2 Peter 2:18-19 (NKJV) - For when they - For when they speak great swelling speak great swelling wordswords of emptiness, of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in actually escaped from those who live in error. 19While they promise them liberty, error. 19While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.also he is brought into bondage.


• Note the appeal for money. (Ex. Oral Note the appeal for money. (Ex. Oral Roberts, Radio DJ)Roberts, Radio DJ)


• Sadly, I have seen Christians run to this as Sadly, I have seen Christians run to this as a reactionary religion.a reactionary religion.

Does the Bible Tell Us to Follow our Feelings?

• I do not deny that people have experiences.

• The question is, should we follow them?

• If a man claims an experience should I believe him?

• The Prophet of 1 Kings 13

• God gave him plain instructions. (1 Kings 13:9)


• 1 Kings 13:9 (NKJV) - For so it was commanded me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came.’”


• The other man appealed to his “experience” (1 Kings 13:18-19)


• 1 Kings 13:18-19 (NKJV) 18He said to him, “I too am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.’” (He was lying to him.) 19 So he went back with him, and ate bread in his house, and drank water.


• Which way was right? What did God do?


• Should we follow an angel? (Gal 1:8)


• Galatians 1:8 (NKJV) - But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.


• If feelings are our guide, who then is right? (1 Cor 14:37)


• 1 Corinthians 14:37 (NKJV) - If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

How we can be Certain?How we can be Certain?

• The Bible claims we can know the truth The Bible claims we can know the truth through the written word.through the written word.

• (1 John 5:13; John 20:31; Luke 1:3-4)(1 John 5:13; John 20:31; Luke 1:3-4)


• 1 John 5:13 (NKJV)1 John 5:13 (NKJV) - These things I - These things I have written to you who believe in the have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that know that you have eternal life, and that you may you may continue tocontinue to believe in the name believe in the name of the Son of God.of the Son of God.


• John 20:31 (NKJV) John 20:31 (NKJV) - but these are written - but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.you may have life in His name.


• Luke 1:3-4 (NKJV) Luke 1:3-4 (NKJV) - it seemed good to - it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may know the Theophilus, 4 that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were certainty of those things in which you were instructed.instructed.


• The Bible claims we must test others The Bible claims we must test others through this written standard.through this written standard.(1 Cor 14:37; 1 John 4:1-3)(1 Cor 14:37; 1 John 4:1-3)


• 1 Corinthians 14:37 (NKJV) 1 Corinthians 14:37 (NKJV) - If anyone - If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that let him acknowledge that the things which the things which I write to you are the commandments of I write to you are the commandments of the Lordthe Lord. .


• The Bible teaches that spiritual gifts were The Bible teaches that spiritual gifts were temporary and would cease when the temporary and would cease when the written word was completed. written word was completed. (1 Cor 13:8-10; Jas 1:25)(1 Cor 13:8-10; Jas 1:25)


• 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 (NKJV) 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 (NKJV) - Love - Love never fails. But whether never fails. But whether there arethere are prophecies, they will fail; whether prophecies, they will fail; whether there arethere are tongues, they will cease; whether tongues, they will cease; whether there isthere is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9For we knowledge, it will vanish away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done then that which is in part will be done away. away.


• James 1:25 (NKJV) James 1:25 (NKJV) - But he who looks - But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it,in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.in what he does.


• Will you trust in God or Man?Will you trust in God or Man?

faith, facts and feelings faith, facts and feelings

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