Often those who use the term “feelings” do so in the context of being the major way they connect with God … on an emotional level. There is, of course, nothing wrong with this, and frankly, a deep spiritual connection with our Lord is to be desired. The issue of concern is when “feelings” replace Biblical teaching, rather than strengthening it.

The mom or dad who feels an attraction to someone outside of their marriage begins to rationalize that God wants them to be happy, and therefore it’s ok to pursue. The child, as they transition from youth to adult, believes drugs are ok, as they create a spiritual release that removes them from the drama of the here and now. Dad, who works two jobs in order to buy that boat, rationalizes it will be a time of bonding with his son, yet he misses the importance of the time lost in the child’s formative years. The Mormon seeks the “burning in the bosom” as a sign of his spiritual awakening rather than Scriptural teaching. And so many more sins are rationalized through the lens of “feelings” rather than absorbing God’s love letter to mankind, the Bible.

If one does not accept the Scripture as “God-breathed,” then we are forced to fall back on something else to find out who He is and what He wants with each of us. Of course, some rely on dreams to discern God’s will. Others emphasize the counsel from other Christians. Finally, others rely on miracles, doors open and doors closed to sense a direction from God. Dreams and miracles are more common in countries where Christian revival is growing and the Bible is not often available, similar to the 1st century following the death and resurrection of Christ. These are what I would call secondary ways of discerning God and only provide a shadow of who He is.

The Bible is 770k words, representing a love letter from Him to us. These other methods (feelings, dreams, miracles, open and closed doors, etc.) can add richness to His truths … but without the Bible as an anchor for our theology, they are insufficient.

Feelings, as they relate to a worldview, are only as valid as the degree to which they support the Word of God. Without it we are lost in the mist of our own sin nature and the influences of others rather than the Creator of the universe.