“Is there a difference between Bible principles and feelings?
If yes, which should we follow and why?”
Well, I would have to say that a “feeling” is something in our mind; and a Bible principle is something in God’s mind. So, based on that initial premise: Yes. There is a difference between the two.
It is certainly not necessarily wrong to have “feelings” about something; even about “Bible Principles.” But, the Bible principles are there to tell us what to do with those “feelings.”
The following poem illustrates this fact very well. I copied this out of the back of a little old man’s Bible whom I used to look after during my nursing career. My faith was quite shaken this one evening I had gone into the nursing home for a night shift. I had strong feelings of bitterness over some supposed wrongs. First thing I know, this usually tired looking old fellow started talking to me in a very animated way about Eph.3:19, and as I opened his very old, very worn Bible to look up this verse, my eye caught the following poem scribbled onto the inside, front cover:
“Three men were walking on a wall:
Feeling
Faith
and Fact
When Feeling had an awful fall
and Faith was taken back
But Fact remained
and pulled Faith back
and Faith brought Feeling too!”
“To know the love of Christ,” (Eph.3:19), was the FACT in my case, that brought back my FAITH, and in it’s train came feelings of joy in the Lord once again. In this way; feelings can be followed, but never if it means the compromising of some Scripture.
Most of the time; I think, that when we refer to feelings versus the Bible, we refer to negative feelings, and even these, we do need to pay close attention to. They can be indicators of something we need; and there is a place where we can draw a line of sorts when it comes to these negative feelings:
“It is not wise to look to ourselves, and to study our emotions. If we do this, the enemy will present difficulties and temptations that weaken faith and destroy courage. Closely to study our emotions, and give way to our feelings, is to entertain doubt, and entangle ourselves in perplexity.” (MH 249).
Many of the Bible characters were in the habit of expressing very strong feelings – even suicidal ideations. (like Elijah). What could this mean for the Christian today?
Well, as I found out that night in the nursing home, there is hope for everyone. No matter who you are, or what your feelings may be; you can “know the love of Christ.”
“None need abandon themselves to discouragement and despair. Satan may come to you with the cruel suggestion: ‘Your’s is a hopeless case. You are irredeemable.’ But there is hope for you in Christ. God does not bid us overcome in our own strength. He asks us to come close to His side. Whatever difficulties we labor under; which weigh down soul and body, He waits to make us free!” (MH 249).
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"We are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets; Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone!" (Eph.2:20).
Your brother in Christ
David T. Battler
