Let's talk meme theology... this is a mini-series and not a part of my regular deeper discussions on apologetics, church and overcoming anxiety and ADHD.
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Here is a popular meme that has been blowing through the social media landscape:
"I've wasted enough time on things that never felt right, I'm listening to my soul now" - author unknown
I'm currently in my mid-fifties, in my life I have been on both sides of the above statement. I've felt pressured into relationships, business arrangements, volunteer roles and more which "did not feel right" and conversely I have also pursued the same things because I felt right. There has been no consistent outcome on the things that felt right versus the ones that did not.
Sometimes my heart screamed YES but in the end I realized I was dead wrong and glad I did not give in to my feelings. Other times I was all in, and the end result produced horrible results.
This fascination our culture has with our feelings over facts is not only opposed to the Bible but also to common sense. How often do you hear the term "Do whatever makes you happy!"?
Happiness has now become our idol... our God... to the degree where if you don't have it you have made a tragic, often bordering on narcissistic life choice...
As you know if you follow this blog - Feelings cannot be trusted! They are fickle... they are easily deceived and manipulated, they are completely unreliable... at the same time I'm not saying they don't exist. The feeling of first time love... the feeling of oneness with God when you are walking in right relationship... the feeling of becoming a parent... the feeling of holding a child who smiles at you... the feeling of a first kiss... the feeling of being appreciated for a job well done. Feelings are good... negative feelings are a signal to dig deeper into facts... to find out why... to pause... to take a step back... to rest. What negative or positive feelings are not useful for is making life decisions...
A soldier will spend years training to overcome feelings so that their fight or flight response won't cause their feelings to react and take over with negative results. They are trained to respond to facts on the field... not a gut feeling... but that that gut feeling still has purpose. Sensing danger will cause the soldier to be extra cautious in their surroundings.
While Jesus said little of how we should manage our feelings here is some food for thought:
In Mark 10 he told the rich man - who I'm sure He knew valued his money and wealth more than everything. His joy came from wealth... Jesus said "You lack one thing; go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me". The man walked away!
In Luke 12 Jesus says "I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do." The context was standing against persecution and trusting Him in our faith.
Then of course there is the famous sermon on the mount where Jesus says that not everyone who says "Lord" will enter heaven. Why would he say that? He is speaking of self-deception... when we believe our own kool-aid. This sermon is the central part of Jesus teachings. It is found in Matthew 5-7 and if the body of Christ would just follow those teachings alone the entire world would take notice!
In the book of Luke in chapter 12 we find this verse... I'll let you look up the passage...
"And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.'"
The Greek definition of the English word "soul" in this passage according to Strongs dictionary is "(a) the vital breath, breath of life, (b) the human soul, (c) the soul as the seat of affections and will, (d) the self, (e) a human person, an individual."
In the Luke 12 passage specifically those who would have read the passage at the time of writing would have understood soul to mean: "the soul (Latinanimus), a. the seat of the feelings, desires, affections, aversions [our soul, heart]."
Clearly, our feelings, desires, affections and aversions cannot be trusted... TRUE contentment and JOY comes from aligning ourselves with Jesus through the Bible and our submission to the Holy Spirit!
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