Often I hear from those who disagree with certain subjects written about on this website. This isn’t surprising though because I know many people have different takes on Scripture for various reasons that we don’t need to get into this article. What is surprising to me is how many people claim to know with certainty what they believe to be true based simply on how it makes them feel. Truly I often receive messages and comments that state this as a primary point. Causing me to ask the simple question: can you feel good or even secure as a Christian and still be wrong? Can you experience true life change and experience the power of God but not actually understand everything perfectly?
When looking through the lens of scripture I would have to say yes you can. Because we see multiple examples of this very thing in scripture. Take Apollos for example. He was a young Jew who was taught about Jesus and was so affected he began sharing the same message with everyone he could. From the context of scripture, it seems he felt good and secure in the knowledge he had. It even seems as though God was with Him.
But as we continue to read about him we see him meet Priscilla and Aquila, two of Paul’s companions. The Bible says they showed Him an even more accurate way. To which he didn’t argue or rely on previous feelings but instead allowed himself to grow in knowledge. He felt good, was working for God, and even being used by God. Yet he still was wrong in some areas and God provided the opportunity to correct those areas. After growing in faith Apollos continued sharing the Gospel message as a missionary.
Acts 18:24–28 (ESV)
24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.
Similar events take place when Paul encounters some of John’s disciples. Even though they felt good and like they were doing it all right Paul found holes in their knowledge of God. Holes that he worked to fill in with scripture and the knowledge given to him by God. Again even though we can be sure based on their dedication and service to God that they felt secure in their faith. Still, they didn’t fight against Paul’s teaching. Instead, they accepted where they might be wrong and allowed themselves to also grow closer to the Lord. Based on scripture and truth instead of past feelings and experiences.
Acts 19:1–7 (ESV)
1 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. 7 There were about twelve men in all.
Being wrong or simply not knowing everything there is to know about the faith doesn’t mean God is not with us. If that was the case we would spend years without feeling God, being changed or set free from sin, and feeling secure in our salvation. Praise God that isn’t the case but that God is able to change us and use us from the moment we give our lives to Him.
You can feel good and secure in your faith but still have a few areas in which you are wrong. That’s okay and doesn’t mean you were never saved. It simply means you have room to grow and better understand the great God you serve. This can clearly be seen in the lives of those above and it is true for us as well.
Every day on our walk we learn things we didn’t know before and it’s common to see where your beliefs may have been wrong. Growing in knowledge with God is a journey and you can be wrong yet still feel God. Evening experiencing the promises of scripture. We can even see this journey in Paul’s life. As immediately after salvation, he began teaching others about Jesus. But scripture clearly states that he continued to grow in knowledge and understanding. Causing his preaching to get more and more powerful.
Acts 9:20–22 (ESV)
20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.
The scary truth is that deception also causes many to feel like they are on the right path with God. Even when they couldn’t be farther away. That is why we are warned so much in scripture to beware of false teachers. They can weave a web of deception that makes people feel good despite the lies they believe. The Bible also describes satan as cunning. Giving us a direct warning to watch out for him. Like false teachers and even using them, he is able to cause people to falsely believe they are right with God. Even when they hold beliefs not found within His word.
1 John 4:1 (ESV)
1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2 Corinthians 11:13–15 (ESV)
13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
Matthew 7:15 (ESV)
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
As the ruler of this world, he is able to invoke your feelings and cause you to feel good. While still being way off in your understanding of scripture. This is why as Christians we must never rely on feelings or even our own hearts. Because both are deceitful. Our ways will always seem right to us regardless. Instead of all this, we must look solely at God’s word when building our faith.
2 Corinthians 4:4 (ESV)
4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
1 John 5:19 (ESV)
19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
Jeremiah 17:9 (ESV)
9 The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it?
Proverbs 21:2 (ESV)
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
but the Lord weighs the heart.
2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV)
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
I want to be very clear in saying that all this isn’t to say that I am right and everyone else is wrong. The truth is any of us could be wrong in what we believe. So we must have the right response when others attempt to correct us or even simply share what they believe. It’s always possible that God is trying to help us draw closer to Him by causing someone to share a more accurate way with us. Just as we see He did in the days of the early church.
So instead of getting upset, arguing, or clinging to how good we feel because of what we believe we should turn to scripture and prayer. Checking to see if what they are saying could in fact be true. Or any effect ensuring that what we already believed is actually correct. Following the righteous example of the Bereans did when Paul first brought them the message of Christ. Our goal should be believing and living out the truth of scripture regardless of how it makes us feel.
Acts 17:10–12 (ESV)
10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 12 Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.
In many instances, you may be right and well-founded in what you believe. If that is confirmed in study, that’s great. In that case, you should then share what you found in God’s word with the person who shared their beliefs with you. All in the hopes that you can help them see a more accurate way. But it is important to do so as we are taught in scripture. In a kind, gentle, and patient manner. Never being arrogant, rude, or mean-spirited because that contradicts much of what scripture says.
2 Timothy 2:25 (ESV)
25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
The Bible clearly shows us that it really is possible to feel good and still be wrong. We can serve God with our whole heart and even be used by God yet still not have it all figured out. Our goal however should be to always grow in truth. Doing our best while we can to understand the fullness of scripture. So we can live our best life for Christ and help others draw closer to God as well. So always be willing to hear others out and be sure that the truth drives you, not your feelings.
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