Friday, September 19,
2025
TRUTH OR FEELINGS?
Prov 15:14
14 The heart of him that hath
understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
Strong emotions attached to an error are hard
to deal with. Paul met the men of Athens on Mars Hill and said: “Ye men of
Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed
by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE
UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.”
(Acts 17:22-23) The Greek word for “superstition” is deisidaimonesteros and
indicates a thoughtless devotion.
Multiple denominational
traditions with
contradicting teachings have produced a tangled wilderness of belief. Many are
lost within it. Yet, it requires delicacy to teach truth.
Solomon understood the danger of allowing emotion to drive
our life. He warned: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the
issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23) The word “heart” here is the Hebrew word labe
and means feelings or emotions.
Paul said: “When I was a child, I spake
as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a
man, I put away childish things.” (1 Cor. 13:11). The word “childish” here is
the Greek nepios and indicates a simple-minded person.
Jesus said: “And ye shall know the truth,
and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)
Dear Lord, let me be tender
toward those who are bound by emotions but let me faithfully proclaim the
truth. AMEN
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