A man on the Christian radio station today was telling a woman in a troubled marriage about the way that Jesus can take the hurt and heartache out of her life.
He was saying that Jesus can change our feelings.
This bothered me. I don’t believe religion is about feelings. I don’t think Jesus came to give us certain feelings, and I don’t think he takes away feelings.
I believe the Holy Spirit can guide us and cleanse in ways that allow us to live in peace with one another, true peace. But I do not believe our feelings are the focus of the Holy Spirit’s work. I can live in peace with you – or love you – even if my feelings at the moment are bruised or outraged.
But maybe I am wrong about this.
What do you think?
Are there places in Scripture where Jesus talks about changing our feelings?
I am a part-time local pastor serving 
The doctrine of original sin is surely more humbling to man than the opposite: And I know not what honour we can pay to God, if we think man came out of His hands in the condition wherein he is now.
There seemed to be an emphasis in scripture on what we prioritize. If we externalize our focus; then maybe our internal feelings might not seem so magnified.
My thoughts: Jesus came so that we might bear fruit. Some of the ‘feelings’ we desire, are actually fruits of the Spirit or expressions of Love. Peace, Kindness, joy, patience… Our emotions are based in our soul, which is constantly effected by situation, unless we rule it by the Word. Fruit is brought by the Spirit and isn’t subject to external circumstances. I can think of more times where Jesus said, “You don’t let your heart be troubled,” or “be not afraid,” or “Take no thought, (or worry).” The change in your emotions is more brought about by focusing on Christ and believing what the Word says.
recent post on the subject…
http://theabideproject.wordpress.com/2011/04/29/troubled-about-many-things/
Should we consider compassion a feeling? I believe our feelings are to be saved as well as every other part of us. God knows there is no shortage of hardened hearts. It seems reasonable that God would want us to be more compassionate. That would entail a change in our feelings.
Here’s an old saying. “Love is not a feeling. It is something you do.”
Doesn’t the same kind of thinking work for compassion and peace and goodness. I wonder if it even applies to things like “Be not afraid.” Is that really saying, “Don’t have the feeling of fear”? Or is it more about how we act?
I do not know.
When we talk about the physical sensations that are the root of the word “to feel,” these are things that we do not control. And in the redeemed life, we can still feel pain and agony and hunger and all manner of unpleasant things. Our physical feelings remain good or bad even when we are renewed by the Holy Spirit.
If our physical feelings remain, why not our mental ones as well?
I don’t have the answers here. It is something I’m trying to think through.