As a man feels...

There were four in the tent...

In God's providence, my days are full of caring for little children, who are learning their first words, and older children, whom I regularly have to caution to watch their words.  That doesn't prevent me from studying the words I use myself, however, and lately I discovered something that troubles me: I use the word "feel" far too frequently and, far too often, incorrectly. 

As soon as I became aware of this tendency in myself, I started paying more attention to the way others are speaking, and I've noticed that many of them are "feelers," too.  A friend described her decision to purchase one item and not another because she "felt" that it was of superior quality.  In Bible study a sister explained what she "feels" a certain passage says.  An acquaintance commented on which of the two major presidential candidates she “feels” is the better one.

When I consider my own speech, I’ve noticed that when I use the word “feel,” I typically mean “know” or “think,” as in, “I’ve thought about this, and after careful consideration, this is the conclusion I’ve reached.”  But “feel” and “think” are not synonyms – far from it!  And since so many in our society base everything from their vote to their “gender identity” based on how they feel, I think it’s important that you and I say “think” when we mean “think.”  The Christian faith is a logical, rational faith.  It requires “a certain knowledge;” repudiates willing ignorance; engages the renewed mind.

In short, the people of God do not, must not allow their feelings to rule the way they live.  No, as I’m presently trying to teach my four-year-old, we’re called to take every emotion (as well as every thought) and make them captive to Christ.

And I don't just feel that’s the way it should be: I know it to be true.