Follow Your Heart?

God gave us emotions. We are not robots or computers. AI may do a lot, but it cannot feel or will. Can you imagine life without feelings? Choices might be easier—maybe too easy. Life would be predictable yet dull. But we have strong feelings that make life what it is. At times they give us the greatest satisfaction; at other times they give us the worst pain. Feelings can be a blessing or a curse depending on your circumstances.

There are times when we should follow our feelings. Jesus felt compassion for the multitude and fed them (Mark 8:1-9). God gave us “natural affection” that drives us to care for our own (Rom. 1:31). It is good to fear hell and avoid evil (Matt. 10:28; Prov. 14:16). We certainly would not tell someone in a burning building to ignore his fear and stay inside.

Many in the Bible followed their feelings when they should not have. In the Old Testament, Eve ate the fruit because it gave her pleasure (Gen. 3:6). Cain had a stubborn will and a bad temper that got him in trouble (Gen. 4:1-10). Saul disobeyed the Lord because he feared the people (I Sam. 15:24). In the New Testament, the Jews who killed Christians thought they were doing right (John 16:2). Paul said he was exceedingly angry at Christians in his days as a persecutor (Acts 26:9-11). Romans 10:2-3 tells us that unbelieving Jews had a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. This has been a problem in the human race from the beginning.

God gave us a will to control our feelings. That is one of the things that makes us different from animals. We can overcome even strong emotions if we choose to control them. God told the Hebrews to help their enemies when they were in need even though they did not feel inclined to help (Exodus 23:4-5). Paul said, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath” (Eph. 4:26). Even Jesus had to say no to His human feelings (Matt. 26:39).

People today put their feelings above the Bible. They believe they are saved because they feel it. But if that is the standard, then Mormons and Muslims are saved. They love entertainment in worship because it makes them feel good. But that kind of worship is vain (Matt. 15:9). They lie, commit adultery and engage in same-sex relations because of how it makes them feel.

Beware of your feelings. They can easily deceive you. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jer. 17:9).

Kerry

West End church of Christ • September 6, 2026

Sermons Last Sunday

Morning—How the Prodigal Rebuilt His Life