One of the conditions that...
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One of the conditions that causes the most wrestling with God is an over-dependence upon feelings. Too many people leave church saying, "I didn't get anything out of it!" Rather, they should say, I have decided in faith to worship God regardless of how I feel!" Feelings are deceptive -- in love and in religion. People who expect to always feel in love will likely not stay married long. People who always must be on a religious high use their religion more as a drug than anything else. We are not called to always feel good, but, instead, to remain faithful! The old-fashioned word for this was to be true to a principle.
Charles Finney, that famous old evangelist of the last century, once wrote, "One of the first things young converts should be taught is to distinguish between emotion and principle in religion ... When a man is fully determined to obey God, because it is right that he should obey God, I call that principle ... Many young converts ... depend almost entirely on the state of their feelings to go forward in duty. Some will not lead a prayer meeting, unless they feel as if they could make an eloquent prayer ... Young converts should be carefully taught that when duty is before them they are to do it.
Do not wait for feeling but do it! Most likely the very emotions for which you would wait, will be called into the exercise when you begin to do your duty."
When Jacob stopped wrestling with God, he was blessed. Although he limped from the wounds of spiritual battle, Jacob decided, by his own volition, to stop the strife against God. We might well do the same.
Charles Finney, that famous old evangelist of the last century, once wrote, "One of the first things young converts should be taught is to distinguish between emotion and principle in religion ... When a man is fully determined to obey God, because it is right that he should obey God, I call that principle ... Many young converts ... depend almost entirely on the state of their feelings to go forward in duty. Some will not lead a prayer meeting, unless they feel as if they could make an eloquent prayer ... Young converts should be carefully taught that when duty is before them they are to do it.
Do not wait for feeling but do it! Most likely the very emotions for which you would wait, will be called into the exercise when you begin to do your duty."
When Jacob stopped wrestling with God, he was blessed. Although he limped from the wounds of spiritual battle, Jacob decided, by his own volition, to stop the strife against God. We might well do the same.
