The Mistake of Making Much of Feelings

When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called Esau his older son and said, ‘Take your quiver and bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me,  and prepare for me delicious food, such as I love, and bring it so I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.’

Now Rebekah was listening… So when Esau went to the field.., Rebekah said to Jacob,.. ‘Bring me two good young goats, so I may prepare delicious food for your father, such as he loves… so that he may bless you before he dies…’

So he went and took them and brought them to his mother, and [she] prepared delicious food, such as his father loved. Then Rebekah took the garments of Esau… The skins of the young goats she put on his hands and the smooth part of his neck. And she put the delicious food… into the hand of Jacob.

He went in to his father… ‘Who are you, my son?’  Jacob said, ‘I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me; now sit up and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me…’ Isaac said, ‘Please come near, that I may feel you, to know whether you are really Esau or not…’ ²²  Isaac… felt him and said, ‘The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau… Bring it near to me, that I may eat game and bless you.’ So he brought it, and he ate; and he brought him wine, and he drank. Then Isaac said, ‘Come near and kiss me, my son.’ So he came near and kissed him. And Isaac smelled the smell of his garments and blessed him…

“When Jacob had scarcely gone out.., Esau came in from hunting,.. prepared delicious food and brought it to his father… ‘Eat, that you may bless me.’ Isaac said, ‘Who are you?’ ‘I am your firstborn, Esau.’  Then Isaac trembled very violently and said, ‘Who was it then that hunted game and brought it to me, and I ate it all before you came, and I have blessed him? He shall be blessed. Your brother came deceitfully, and has taken away your blessing.’” Genesis 27:1,3-6,9-10,14-19,21-22,25-27,30-33,35

Appetite. Favorites. Competition. Urgent cravings. Scent. Touch. Misplaced fear of not getting my way, and guilt associated with getting caught, but not with doing wrong. Feelings all, whipping in a frenzy of plotting and ploys to get the promised prize. And all, when disordered or over-magnified, make for much mistake. They distort reasoning, propel passions out of control, and ruin honest communication.

But it wasn’t intended to go this way. God’s prophetic promises stand on their own, secured in His character and truth, His ordaining and time table. He is the One to see them through in the lives of His faithful. We’ll never know how He would have accomplished this one had not feelings ruled. (Genesis 25:21-26)

Making too much of feelings, and allowing them to dictate our choices and control our mindset, sets us loose on a wind-frothed sea, bobbing afloat in uncertainty and without an anchor, flitting like foam in the air. Feelings will always entice with urgency, fickleness, and the tease of instant gratification. Gut instincts will come and go. The fruit of the Spirit is patience, goodness, and self-control. It requires discipline to bring our feelings under God’s lordship, and harness them to benefit as He intended. (Galatians 5:22-23; Titus 1:8)

How do we handle our feelings? Do we coddle and excuse, or understand their dangerous sway and bridle their power? God’s Spirit will sanctify them for HIs purposes when we surrender ourselves to His rule over all.

Jesus, direct and redeem every feeling You give, for Your ultimate good and glory.