When to Trust My Feelings:
Temptation – Part 1

Scripture Reading:  Matthew 4:1-11

Key Verse: Matthew 4:4

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”

Feelings are the key players of all our temptation.  We need to make sure we understand that we are not dealing with “facts” when being tempted.  We are dealing with feelings.  It’s not a fact that I will just die if I don’t eat that piece of pie.  It is not a fact that I can’t resist that sexual allurement.  It is not a fact that I just can’t control my temper.  All these thoughts are wrapped around feelings.  There are some feelings that are based on facts.  I feel God’s love for me.  I feel peace in the midst of my problems, which is based on the fact that all things will work together for good (Romans 8:28).

            If we ask ourselves the right question, most of the time we can get the correct answer.  Learn to ask yourself: “Is this feeling fact or based on a fact?”  In our scripture for today, we see Jesus being tempted by the devil (the tempter).  It was a fact that Jesus was hungry, but it was not a fact that Jesus should use His divine powers to turn a stone into a bread loaf.  Just because you feel something doesn’t mean you must fulfill that need.  When I determine that my feeling is for something ungodly, I try to say to myself, “so what!”  In other words, yes I would want it, but so what; I would want a lot of things.  It doesn’t mean I have to have it.  Don’t automatically trust your feelings; learn to question them in the light of God’s will and Word.

Father, grant me wisdom as I walk through my day today.   Help me to question my feelings and determine their origin.  I ask this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.