In the following 4 minute video, pastor Alistair Begg exhorts Christians to firstly seek knowledge about Christ and their Bibles, and not seek feelings. He indicates that the appropriate religious feelings will derive from right knowledge about God.
In the following 11 minute video, a related topic is taken up by Todd Friel, he considers feelings as they move Christians to say, “The Lord told me….”
The following scripture verses tell us how we get discernment. Notice that knowledge of the Lord and dependence / obedience towards Him cause blessedness, pleasantness, and peace. Those words indicate a whole lot of good feelings, all of which derived from seeking knowledge of God and valuing it as better than silver, gold or rubies.
If you seek feelings, then you are seeking the fruit from a root / tree that you do not yet possess; feelings are fruit of whatever kind of root / tree that is your heart. God’s word changes hearts.
Pro 1:1 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
Pro 1:2 To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight,
Pro 1:3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;
Pro 1:4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth—
Pro 1:5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,
Pro 1:6 to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.
Pro 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
From Proverbs 2:
Pro 2:1 My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you,
Pro 2:2 making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;
Pro 2:3 yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,
Pro 2:4 if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,
Pro 2:5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
Pro 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
Pro 2:7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
Pro 2:8 guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.
Pro 2:9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path;
Pro 2:10 for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
Pro 2:11 discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you,
And from Proverbs 3:
Pro 3:13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding,
Pro 3:14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.
Pro 3:15 She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
Pro 3:16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
Pro 3:17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
Also consider a few beatitudes, the first two of which indicate deep understanding of oneself and of God and His righteousness. To know poverty of spirit, one must know the word of God, know his own depravity and see clearly that only Christ’s righteousness will save him; thereafter, he mourns his state.
One could never arrive at poverty of spirit if he firstly sought feelings. One must seek knowledge of God to arrive there. Abiding in God’s word humbles a person by telling him about God and about how God sees him. Thereafter, self-observation and examination enables one to see that what God has said it the truth; such a realization causes poverty, mourning, meekness, hungering, mercy to other sinners….
Mat 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Mat 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Mat 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Mat 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
For more information about the beatitudes, see: Categories, Beatitude Life; True Kingdom Citizen posts.
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***Jonathan Edwards wrote a book on the subject of appropriate religious feelings: Religious Affections. Edwards was a pastor during the great awakenings of 1735 and 1740. He spent much time seeking understanding about the difference between true converts and counterfeit converts. This book identifies the distinguishing characteristics and the appropriate feelings that accompany each state. It is a hard read, but worthy of the struggle.