Is trusting your feelings a wise decision?

Understanding the Nature of Emotions

Emotions are an inherent part of human experience. They can serve valuable purposes, such as warning us of danger, guiding our sympathies, and giving expression to joy or sorrow. However, the Bible frequently points out that emotions, though important, can fluctuate and sometimes mislead. As stated in Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure—who can understand it?” This verse highlights the potential unreliability of the human heart when separated from divine wisdom.

Psychologically, emotions can be influenced by stress, desires, and external circumstances. Because of this, it is possible to feel strongly about something and yet be mistaken. Christians have historically understood that while emotions matter, they must be tested against Scripture and sound wisdom.

Scriptural Insights on Trusting Feelings

Proverbs 28:26 reminds us, “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.” When people rely solely on internal feelings, they risk abandoning the surer ground of God’s truth. The Bible consistently instructs believers to align their hearts and minds with divine counsel rather than unanchored emotional impulses.

Proverbs 3:5–6 further urges, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Here, the call is not to despise feelings but to ensure they are shaped by God’s wisdom. Our emotions and intuitions can complement faith when they are directed by the Spirit rather than by fleeting impulses.

Examples from Scripture

1. King Saul (1 Samuel 13; 15): He allowed emotions like fear and pride to override clear divine instructions, leading him to act rashly. His example demonstrates that unrestrained feelings can drive disobedience.

2. Peter Walking on Water (Matthew 14:28–31): When Peter focused on Jesus, he walked by faith; when doubts and fears overtook him, he began to sink. Though Peter’s feelings of fear were understandable in a storm, they became a stumbling block when he allowed them to overshadow the reality of Christ’s power.

3. Jesus in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36–44): He experienced deep anguish before His crucifixion. Yet He chose to submit to the Father’s will, praying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39). This passage underscores that emotions should be brought under God’s will rather than charting a course of their own.

Pitfalls of Solely Depending on Emotions

When individuals rely exclusively on “gut feelings,” several dangers can arise:

1. Distorted Perception: Emotions are susceptible to temporary stressors or desires. In Genesis 4:6–7, God warns Cain of the sin crouching at his door, cautioning that uncontrolled anger can overtake one’s better judgment. Relying exclusively on such volatile feelings may lead to impulsive decisions.

2. Spiritual Vulnerability: Ignoring divine wisdom leaves hearts unguarded against temptation. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Emotions that run unchecked can be footholds for destructive influences.

3. Misdirected Worship: Feelings can become idols if they replace the authority of God’s Word. In Acts 17:22–23, Paul addresses how people in Athens fashioned objects of worship based on their own imaginations and sentiments. A similar pattern emerges when emotions become the main guide, overshadowing devotion to the Lord.

The Right Place for Emotions in Decision-Making

Emotions, when informed by Scripture and guided by the Holy Spirit, can enhance discernment:

1. Affection for God’s Word: Psalm 119:105 states, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Allowing the love of Scripture to shape our hearts fosters a healthy emotional life aligned with God’s wisdom.

2. Temperance and Discipline: Galatians 5:22–23 describes the fruit of the Spirit, which includes self-control. This self-control helps believers channel feelings responsibly, avoiding impulsive or harmful responses.

3. Encouragement and Compassion: Emotions such as sympathy or empathy can drive us to serve others, as we see in Jesus’ compassion for the crowds (Matthew 9:36). When balanced by scriptural truth, these emotions glorify God and advance His kingdom.

Practical Principles for Sound Judgment

1. Test Emotions Against Scripture: Maintain a regular study of the Bible to anchor your sense of right and wrong. When a strong feeling arises, search God’s Word for wisdom and clarity. Hebrews 4:12 describes Scripture as “living and active,” able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

2. Pray for Guidance: Seek the Lord’s counsel in prayer. James 1:5 promises, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” Through prayer, believers submit their emotions to a higher authority, ensuring that feelings respond to truth.

3. Seek Godly Counsel: Proverbs 15:22 observes, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Trusted believers or mentors can speak biblical wisdom into emotionally charged situations, offering a balanced perspective.

4. Evaluate the Fruitage of Emotions: Ask whether what you feel is producing the fruit of the Spirit or leading to sinful behavior. Emotions that encourage love, joy, peace, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23) are generally constructive, while emotions that steer toward division, bitterness, or envy should prompt careful reflection and prayer.

Conclusion

Trusting feelings alone can be unwise because they are subject to fluctuation, external pressures, and internal desires. Scripture calls us to submit our emotions to God’s Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, ensuring our hearts remain tethered to a foundation of truth. In doing so, we neither discard our emotions nor idolize them. Rather, we allow them to serve their intended role: reflecting the love of God and motivating us toward holy living that honors Him.

Feelings have their place, but they must yield to the unchanging authority of Scripture. In so doing, believers find balance, clarity, and steadfastness amid life’s challenges. As the Bible continually emphasizes, genuine wisdom comes from turning our hearts toward God and anchoring our emotions in His eternal truth.