What are some of the dangers of feelings?

Jeremiah 17:9“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?”

Our feelings can deceive us.

Ephesians 4:26-27, 31-32And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. . . . Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Our feelings can lead us into sin.

Numbers 14:1-4Then the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained. “Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?” Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!”

Our feelings can cause us to forget the truth about God’s goodness. In their fear, the Israelites were quick to forget God’s promises and protection. Their feelings even convinced them they preferred to be back in slavery!

Proverbs 14:13Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.

Sometimes we cling to shallow feelings to avoid deeper problems.

Judges 11:34-35When Jephthah returned home to Mizpah, his daughter came out to meet him, playing on a tambourine and dancing for joy. When he saw her, he tore his clothes in anguish. “Oh, my daughter!” he cried out. “You have completely destroyed me! You’ve brought disaster on me! For I have made a vow to the Lord, and I cannot take it back.”

Our feelings can lead us to make rash and foolish promises.

Amos 6:1What sorrow awaits you who lounge in luxury in Jerusalem, and you who feel secure in Samaria! You are famous and popular in Israel, and people go to you for help.

Our feelings can give us an unwarranted sense of security.

Matthew 1:19Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

Our feelings may hide the truth from us.

Galatians 5:16-18Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.

1 John 4:1Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.

Our feelings are not reliable guides because they can be influenced by both our sinful nature and by the Holy Spirit. The best way to know what the Holy Spirit wants is not from our feelings but from the words of Scripture.

Ezekiel 3:14-15The Spirit lifted me up and took me away. I went in bitterness and turmoil, but the Lord’s hold on me was strong. Then I came to the colony of Judean exiles in Tel-abib, beside the Kebar River. I was overwhelmed and sat among them for seven days.

Our feelings can hinder our obedience to God.

Song of Solomon 2:7Promise me, O women of Jerusalem, by the gazelles and wild deer, not to awaken love until the time is right.

An impatient reaction to our feelings can cause us to forfeit God’s perfect timing for us.