Welcome to Living Word Cast! I’m Pastor Michael Chilcott, coming to you from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This podcast exists to proclaim, teach, and explore the Word of God together. Our goal is to provide sound theological and biblical guidance on all things Scripture, helping you grow deeper in your understanding of the Bible and your relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Whether you’re seeking answers, encouragement, or a closer walk with God, this podcast is here to help you stay firmly rooted in the truth of God’s Word.

Today, we're diving into an important topic that touches every believer's life: "We Should Not Rely on Feelings." As Christians, we often find ourselves swayed by how we feel, whether it's about our salvation, forgiveness, or even our relationship with God. But today, we’ll explore why feelings, while real, should not be the foundation of our faith. We’ll lean on what Scripture says, because, as we know, the Word of God is truth and can be trusted completely.

We’ll look at why the Bible teaches us not to base our assurance of salvation, forgiveness, or God’s love on how we feel. Let’s begin by laying a solid foundation with God's Word.

Understanding Our Feelings

Feelings can be misleading. They change with circumstances, can be influenced by the world around us, and sometimes even lead us into doubt. For example, how often do we feel saved when everything is going well, but question our salvation when we're struggling or sinning? Or we might feel unforgiven after a mistake, even though God promises to forgive us in Christ.

Scripture is clear about our feelings and their unreliability:

• Jeremiah 17:9 (ESV): “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”

This verse reminds us that our hearts, which are the seat of our feelings, can deceive us. This means we cannot rely on feelings to determine our spiritual state. Our hearts may tell us one thing, but God’s Word tells us something far more reliable.

• Proverbs 28:26 (ESV): “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.”

Trusting our feelings alone is like trusting a ship without a rudder. It might feel like we're on course, but we could be drifting away from truth.

The Objective Truth of God’s Word

Now, let’s consider the source of truth—the Word of God. God’s promises are not dependent on how we feel in any given moment, but on His unchanging nature and His word.

• Romans 10:17 (ESV): “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

This tells us that faith, our belief in God’s promises, comes through the hearing of His Word, not through subjective feelings. God's Word is a sure foundation, and it never changes, no matter how we feel.

• Hebrews 6:18 (ESV): “So that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.”

God cannot lie, and this assurance is not based on our feelings but on His promise and His character. We can trust in the objective truth of Scripture, which assures us of our salvation, forgiveness, and His love.