What am I Missing Here?
Steps to Recovering Your Joy
July 18 and 25, August 1, 2010
Calvary Baptist Church
Ephesians 5:14
SERMON 2: The Fallacy of Living In Your Feelings
NOTE: This sermon is based in part on a sermon by F.B. Meyer entitled, “Where am I Wrong?” This sermon appears as chapter 2 in two of his books, Some Secrets of Christian Living and The Secret of Guidance. Portions also from Gerald Flury, “Following Your Feelings.”
What am I missing here? What is wrong with me? Why am I not finding joy in the Lord?
• First, may I say to you, that it is good that you have noticed this.
• It is only by the Holy Spirit’s work in your life that you even care.
• Furthermore, it is a good sign of genuine conversion.
• For the lost man or woman, there is no thought of this.
• To them, they are just fine and see no need of the question.
• But to you, whose spirits resonate with this preacher’s question, you know that something is missing.
• You see in the faces, in the lives of others, a light, a joy, a power.
• And as you honestly evaluate yourself, you must admit that you do not have this light, this joy, this power!
• Here the words of the Apostle:
Ephesians 5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
REVIEW
1) Dispositions differ
2) Emotions are not the test of our spiritual state.
• In our last sermon, we considered that a lack of joy may be traced to one’s failure to distinguish between his standing (or position in Christ) and his circumstances.
• My circumstances will always change with the weather.
• But my standing in Christ is constant and steady!
• Today, consider with me another possible robber of your joy:
• PERHAPS YOU LIVE TOO MUCH IN YOUR FEELINGS, TOO LITTLE IN YOUR WILL
OPEN:
QUOTE: We have no direct control over our feelings, but we have over our will. Our wills are ours, to make them God’s. God does not hold us responsible for what we feel, but for what we will. In His sight we’re not what we feel, but what we will. Let us, therefore, not live in the summerhouse of emotion, but in the central citadel of the will, wholly yielded and devoted to the will of God. F.B. Meyer
HUMOR: Conversation overheard between two young women: "I hear you broke your engagement to Joe. What happened?" "Oh, it’s just that my feelings toward him aren’t the same." "Are you returning his ring?" "Oh, no! My feelings toward the ring haven’t changed a bit!" Illustrations Unlimited, Wordsearch Edition
QUOTE: Introduction: A feeling is an internal sensation or emotion. It is an involuntary response to a mental or physical stimulus. Since feelings are involuntary they are neither right nor wrong. They just are. However, what we do about our feelings are right or wrong, good or bad. Too often the actions we take and how we deal with our feelings is wrong. (Gerald Flury)
I. Bible Terminology
IN THE BIBLE THE “HEART” IS OFTEN EQUATED WITH OUR FEELINGS
According to biblical usage, the heart is the source from which the emotions flow. All of the following are said to come from one’s heart. Dictionary of Biblical Imagery
• JOY Aaron’s heart flows with joy when he sees Moses (Ex 4:14).
Exodus 4:14 And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.
• HATRED Leviticus 19:17 warns God’s people not to hate their brother in their heart.
Leviticus 19:17 * Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart:
• FEAR Fear is expressed as a loss of heart (Deut 1:28),
Deuteronomy 1:28 Our brethren have discouraged our heart.
• COURAGE. Since the above is true, courage is also (being the opposite) a heartfelt emotion. (Ps. 27:3)
Psalm 27:3 * Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear.
• DESPAIR These and many other emotions-for instance, despair (Deut 28:65),
Deuteronomy 28:65 * And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind:
• Sadness (Neh 2:2),
Nehemiah 2:2 * Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,
• Trust (Ps 28:7)
Psalm 28:7 * The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped:
• Anger (Ps 39:3)
Psalm 39:3 * My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,
II. It is Not Sin to Experience Negative Feelings.
Jesus Had Unpleasant Emotions. (Elwell, Baker’s Topical Analysis of the Bible, Logos Edition)
A. Jesus Experienced Anger (Mark 3:5)
Mark 3:5 * And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the
hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
B. Jesus Experienced Disgust (Mark 8:12)
Mark 8:12 * And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.
C. Jesus Experienced Distress (John 12:27)
John 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
D. Jesus Experienced Loneliness (Mt. 26:38)
Matthew 26:38 * Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
E. Jesus Experienced Sorrow (Lk. 19:41; Jn. 11:35)
Luke 19:41 * And when he was come near [Jerusalem], he beheld the city, and wept over it,
John 11:35 * Jesus wept.
F. Yet He Never Sinned!
III. Emotions are an Unreliable Source of Truth
A. Our Emotions Deceive Us (Jer. 17:9)
Jeremiah 17:9 * The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
• Next week, we will discuss why our emotions are so unreliable!
B. God Calls Those Who Trust Emotions “Fools.” (Pr. 28:26)
Proverbs 28:26 * He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
ILLUS: I’ve got that loving feeling. We sing with Albert Morris, “Feelings, w-o-o-o feelings.” Then a year later we are singing with the Righteous Brothers, “Bring back that loving feeling!”
QUOTE: "Emotions don’t make a good engine. They only make a good caboose." - Robert AuBuchon, Trinity Baptist Church
IV. A More Reliable Source for Truth (2 Peter 1:19-21)
2 Peter 1:19-21 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
CONCLUDING APPLICATION TO PART I OF THIS SERMON
QUOTE: Reality-test your perceptions. Anyone who is feeling despair will have his or her view of things colored by the emotion. Elijah felt alone, but God told His prophet he was one of thousands who worship Him. Let facts shape your feelings, rather than letting your feelings distort the facts (1 Kings 19:18). Bible Reader’s Companion
ILLUS: The Price is Right. People feel convinced that the missing number is a “7.” Quickly it is discovered that their feelings were wrong. It is no different in life. It is just that the sad results are not seen within a one-hour TV episode!
STOPPING POINT 7/18/2010
______________________________
PART 2 OF SERMON 2 BEGINS ON 7/25/10
V. Why emotions are unreliable.
A. The Source may be wrong (Acts 5:3; Eph. 4:27; 1 Peter 5:8-9; Prov. 28:26)
• Feelings may come from God, from Satan, from our Flesh
Acts 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Ephesians 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.
1 Peter 5:8–9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Proverbs 28:26 * He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
B. Feeling is not fact (1 Kings 19:4,18; 2 Cor. 10:5)
[We looked at this earlier] Reality-test your perceptions. Anyone who is feeling despair will have his or her view of things colored by the emotion. Elijah felt alone, but God told His prophet he was one of thousands who worship Him. Let facts shape your feelings, rather than letting your feelings distort the facts (1 Kings 19:18). Bible Reader’s Companion.
1 Kings 19:4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
1 Kings 19:18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
• We often believe the lie that if I feel it, it must be fact.
• I would scream it at you if it would help you get it.
• That is not true.
• We think, “I don’t feel loved, important, smart, accepted.”
• We think, “Those people don’t care about me.”
• I preached to you in a previous series a message entitled, “Receive God’s Forgiveness!”
• It is so hard to get people to do that.
• We MUST turn our thoughts over to God!
2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
C. Feelings change, truth does not! (Ps. 19:7-9)
• Feelings are subjective, truth is objective.
• Feelings are affected by our health, lack of sleep, stress, media input.
• Bible truth is not subject to any of these!
QUOTE: Some men believe that the Bible is inspired in spots and that they have been inspired to spot the spots!
Psalm 19:7–9 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
ILLUS: Someone asked Luther, “Do you feel that you have been forgiven?” He answered, “No! but I’m as sure as there’s a God in Heaven .”
Feelings come and feelings go
And feelings are deceiving;
My warrant is the Word of God,
Naught else is worth believing. (Attributed to Luther)
VI. God directs His will to our will, not our feelings. (Jn. 14:7; Phil. 4:6; Mk. 11:25; Ps. 42:5-6)
• If God expected us to follow our feelings, He would direct His commands to our feelings.
• But God gives commands that are directed to our will directly against our emotions.
John 14:27 Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing;
Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
• We must remind ourselves of the facts and not yield to our feelings.
Psalm 42:5–6 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him For the help of his countenance. 6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee.
VII. The revealed will of God must take priority over feelings (Eph. 4:8, 12; Mt. 25)
• God gives commands, and we say, “I don’t feel led.”
• God has given men gifts (Ephesians 4:8,12 ) and talents to be used in His work.
• The slothful servant hid his talent and ending up losing it.
• God does not rationalize laziness.
• “But I don’t feel led to serve.” Quit your feelings, read the book!
QUOTE: Obedience means marching right on whether we feel like it or not. Many times we go against our feelings. Faith is one thing, feeling is another. (Moody)
VIII. God gives assurance based on fact, not feeling (John 5:24; 1 Jn. 1:9; 3:1; 5:1)
• God tells us of the FACT of salvation, redemption, etc.
• I have rarely seen those struggling with doubts who are wrestling with revealed truth.
• They are usually wrestling with feelings and I must point them to revealed truth.
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
1 John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.
ILLUS: A man once came to D. L. Moody and said he was worried because he didn’t feel saved. Moody asked, “Was Noah safe in the ark?” “Certainly he was,” the man replied. “Well, what made him safe, his feeling or the ark?” The inquirer got the point. “How foolish I’ve been!” he said. “It is not my feeling; it is Christ who saves!” - D.J.D Our Daily Bread, March 9
IX. God commands our behavior and does not excuse us because of emotions. (Pr. 3:5-6; James 4:17)
Lady, if your husband encounters that loose woman at work, do you still believe that one must obey feelings and not the facts of God’s word. If it is true for him, it is true for you!
Women: “It’s PMS.”
Men: “It’s stress on my job, I can’t help it.”
Teens: It’s my social life. You can’t expect me to act any differently.
ILLUS: I read of a young woman who was trapped in this excuse making cycle until her best friend confronted her with biblical truth by saying, “Don’t let tiredness be an excuse for carnality.” Upon hearing this truth she was cut to the heart and repented of her attitude. (Bob Higgens)
• Either you will control your feelings or your feelings will control you.
Proverbs 3:5–6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.
James 4:17 "Therefore to him that knows to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
• To him that feels like doing good? No! Knows!
CONCLUSION (Acts 24:24-25)
• Don’t wait till you feel like coming to Christ!
Acts 24:24-25 Felix waited for a feeling to accept Christ. Dangerous. “Go away, I will call for you.”
ILLUS: DON’T TRUST FEELINGS I read of a helicopter pilot who flew from an aircraft carrier in the Pacific told this story. He said, "I was flying the helicopter back to the ship when a blinding fog rolled in. Flying at a low altitude, I knew that a single mistake would plunge my crew and me into the ocean. Worse yet, I was experiencing a complete loss of balance -- which is common for pilots flying by instruments. This loss of balance was so bad that despite the instrument readings I was certain that I was lying on my side. For 15 minutes I flew the helicopter by its instruments, fighting the urge to turn it according to my feeling. When we finally broke safely through the fog, I was deeply thankful I had been trained to rely upon my instruments rather than on my feelings."
That is what people who live by faith do -- they remember that feelings can be misleading, but the truths in God’s word are reliable, trustworthy, and consistent. The Christian life, like walking on water, is humanly impossible. It can only be lived by the power of the Holy Spirit. Storms are going to come. When you’re in a storm with the wind raging and the waves pounding, and you feel like you’re sinking, know this: The same Lord who stills the storm allows the storm. (From a sermon by Bill Scott, "Boat Potatoes" 7/14/08, SermonCentral.com)
APPLY! When faced with the temptation to act in your feelings, pause for a moment to remember:
1) My standing with the Lord is the same as always even on this rotten day!
2) I have angry, hurt, depressed, frantic feelings but I do not have to obey them, I can act in my will even when I do not feel like doing so.
3) If I follow my feelings there will be consequences to my relationship with God and with others. 4) If I follow my will, God can give victory over my feelings.
