Wednesday, June 15, 2011

The Heart Never Takes The Place of The Head...

"The heart never takes the place of the head: but it can, and should, obey it."
This is a powerfully true statement by C.S. Lewis.  Modern Christianity overemphasizes the role of the heart and and devalues the mind.  We tend to trust too much in our feelings, and allow our feelings to direct how we think.  It should be exactly the opposite, that is, our mind should direct our feelings.


Allowing our heart to direct our lives can lead to ruin. As it says in Jeremiah, 
"The heart is more deceitful than all else; and is desperately sick; Who can understand it?" Jeremiah 17:9 (NASB).  
We all hope and look forward to warm feelings of closeness with our Lord.  Yet, what does our heart tell us when life is difficult?  If you are like me, your heart will tell you that God is not listening, or that He does not love me, or that He is not protecting me like He said He would.  These feelings are natural and part of being fallen people; however, these feelings are not to be listened to.  They are false and if listened to, they will lead us astray.


I want to be clear.  We are not to ignore our feelings. Burying feelings of anger or betrayal or anxiety will have extremely unhealthy consequences.  Instead of ignoring negative feelings, we should confront them head on... with our mind.  


Do you want to change how you are feeling about something?  All transformation begins with the mind.  
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your min, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2 (NASB, emphasis added). 
In a very real sense, transformation occurs when we confront our feelings and make a decision with our mind that our feelings are incorrect; make a decision to trust God and His word, instead of my heart.


I hope you are feeling good right now -- good about life and close to God.  If you are not, however, do not despair and do not listen to your heart. Instead began to use your mind and focus on the promises in His word.  It will change your life.
  

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