Holy Spirit or Feelings

I get so frustrated when people try to say the Holy Spirit is telling them to do something that is so obviously just what they want to do! I'm not saying that the Holy Spirit doesn't work in our lives, but the Holy Spirit is never going to cause someone to do something that is contrary to the Scriptures! He CAN'T. A person can feel somthing is right that isn't. Or feelings can be based on someone's like or dislike of someone else. It's even possible for someone to be past feeling (Ephesians 4:19). Our consciences can be seared so we don't feel guilt (I Timothy 4:2). Feelings can't be equated with the urgings of the Holy Spirit.

Feelings can be wrong. Look at Saul in Acts 26:9-11. He was definitely sincere, but he was also as definitely wrong. What about suicide bombers? Even I can see they are sincere. But they are still wrong.

Sometimes feelings are right. Sometimes people have a valid reason for feeling right about something. Like when we abide in the doctrine of Christ (II John 9), we can know we have the approval of the Father and the Son because God's word is reliable. If we don't abide in Christ's doctrine, we don't have God's approval, no matter how much we "feel" we do.

Feelings are so often emphasized in religious activities, particularly if a preacher is good at getting people emotional and excited. People get on an emotional high, because of their feelings. When one does God's will, that one has a right to feel right, but when one feels right apart from having done God's will, that one is dead wrong, and deceived by his feelings. What people feel in their heart is often more important to them than what God says. Have you ever heard the phrase: "I wouldn't take what I feel in my heart for a stack of Bibles as high as my head." Hmmm...

What about feeling saved? Can you just "feel" you are? Some people feel they are saved whether or not they have obeyed the gospel. I would rather die knowing! Paul says that faith comes by the hearing of God's word (Romans 10:17). If we are ignorant of God's absolute truth, then we can't know what God's will is for man. Some support homosexuality, when it is very specifically and forcefully condemned in the Bible. Some people know the truth and just don't respect it. Have you ever heard: "I know it says that, but I just don't believe it." In general, people don't love the truth (John 3:19). Can our feelings of being saved be based on a personal experience? A dream? A sign? This is not taught in the Bible at all. It doesn't matter what anyone teaches you (even your mother or a preacher) if it is not in accordance with the Bible. Some teach a salvation by faith only. In other words, all that is necessary is to believe. James said that by works a man is justified, not by faith only (James 2:24). Having been taught that faith only is all that is necesary to please God, it is easy to understand how one would feel his is saved. Even the demons believed and trembled (James 2:19). Were they saved? Where is it taught in the Bible that if you just ask Jesus to save you right where you are, you will be saved immediately? It isn't.

The Bible is very clear on salvation.

1. Faith in God (Hebrews 11:6)
2. Repentance of sins (Acts 11:30, Luke 13:3)
3. Confession of faith in Christ (Romans 10:10)
4. Baptism into Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38)
5. Live faithfully until death (Revelation 2:10)

It's very common to hear 1-3 taught, but very rarely 4 and 5. Baptism is found in every conversion recorded in the book of Acts.
It has become very popular to look for entertainment when searching for the "right church." Entertainment is all about appealing to feelings. People like that good feeling they get from being entertained. I've even heard a preacher say people should feel good about themselves. It's not bad to have good feelings, but place your faith in God's word rather than feelings that may or may not have any basis in truth.