Faith That Stands on Solid Ground
"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" – 2 Corinthians 13:5
We live in a culture that tells us to “trust your feelings” and “follow your heart.” It sounds inspiring, but the Bible warns that our hearts can mislead us. Jeremiah 17:9 tells us that the heart is “deceitful above all things.” That means feelings can be real, but not always right.
Think about how quickly emotions can change. One day you may feel close to God during a powerful worship service. The next day you may feel far from Him because of stress, hardship, or spiritual dryness. If your assurance of salvation depends on your emotions, your spiritual stability will rise and fall like the tide.
The Apostle Paul gave a better way in 2 Corinthians 13:5 when he said, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith.” This self-examination is not about trying to earn your salvation or living in constant fear. It is about measuring your life against the unchanging truth of God’s Word. True faith shows itself over time. It produces evidence. Not perfection, but progress. Not flawlessness, but a change of direction.
Some of these markers include a growing love for God, an increasing hatred for sin, a desire for God’s Word, and a genuine love for others. These are not boxes to check so you can feel safe. They are signs of a living relationship with Christ. Feelings may come and go, but the fruit of faith grows steadily when the root is deep.
If you find that your faith is built more on moments of emotional excitement than on the foundation of God’s truth, today is a good day to shift your focus. Stand on the rock of Scripture. Anchor your heart to the promises of God. Then, when emotions fade or storms come, your faith will remain steady.
Reflection Question
When your emotions tell you one thing and Scripture tells you another, which voice do you tend to believe? How can you train your heart to trust God’s Word above your feelings?
Quote
"Feelings shift like sand, but God’s Word is bedrock. Test your faith by His truth, not by your emotions."
Prayer
Lord, I do not want to base my faith on emotions that change with the wind. Teach me to anchor my heart to the truth of Your Word. Help me see the evidence of Your work in my life, and give me discernment to separate emotional highs from the reality of genuine faith. Amen.
We live in a culture that tells us to “trust your feelings” and “follow your heart.” It sounds inspiring, but the Bible warns that our hearts can mislead us. Jeremiah 17:9 tells us that the heart is “deceitful above all things.” That means feelings can be real, but not always right.
Think about how quickly emotions can change. One day you may feel close to God during a powerful worship service. The next day you may feel far from Him because of stress, hardship, or spiritual dryness. If your assurance of salvation depends on your emotions, your spiritual stability will rise and fall like the tide.
The Apostle Paul gave a better way in 2 Corinthians 13:5 when he said, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith.” This self-examination is not about trying to earn your salvation or living in constant fear. It is about measuring your life against the unchanging truth of God’s Word. True faith shows itself over time. It produces evidence. Not perfection, but progress. Not flawlessness, but a change of direction.
Some of these markers include a growing love for God, an increasing hatred for sin, a desire for God’s Word, and a genuine love for others. These are not boxes to check so you can feel safe. They are signs of a living relationship with Christ. Feelings may come and go, but the fruit of faith grows steadily when the root is deep.
If you find that your faith is built more on moments of emotional excitement than on the foundation of God’s truth, today is a good day to shift your focus. Stand on the rock of Scripture. Anchor your heart to the promises of God. Then, when emotions fade or storms come, your faith will remain steady.
Reflection Question
When your emotions tell you one thing and Scripture tells you another, which voice do you tend to believe? How can you train your heart to trust God’s Word above your feelings?
Quote
"Feelings shift like sand, but God’s Word is bedrock. Test your faith by His truth, not by your emotions."
Prayer
Lord, I do not want to base my faith on emotions that change with the wind. Teach me to anchor my heart to the truth of Your Word. Help me see the evidence of Your work in my life, and give me discernment to separate emotional highs from the reality of genuine faith. Amen.
Recent
Archive
2025
March
The Way to TruthLiving Water in a Thirsty WorldThe Narrow PathKnown by GodEternal Life Starts NowThe Relentless Pursuit of LoveFaith in ActionGoing Where Others Won’tJesus Changes EverythingOvercoming Fear to ShineMaking Heaven CrowdedReflecting His LightSalt of the EarthLetting Your Light ShineFueling Your LightShining TogetherThe Call to Surrender
April
The Paradox of DiscipleshipFrom Fan to FollowerThe Cross We CarryThe Joy of Full SurrenderThe Fruit of SurrenderThe Perfect PlanThe Root of Our ProblemThe Perfect SacrificeFreedom PurchasedLiving in VictorySent with PurposeThe True Cost of LoveFrom Darkness to LightBreaking Down BarriersVictory, Not VictimhoodLiving in FreedomThe Invitation Still StandsThe Stone Was Already MovedBreaking Free from the GraveyardGrace Before PerformanceMeeting Jesus in the HurtStepping into BeliefFrom Doubt to DeclarationThe Daily InvitationLetting Go of the OldWalking in New Power
May
Breaking Free from the Chains of ShameStepping Boldly into New LifeLiving the Resurrection DailySelf-Reliance to SurrenderDaily Steps of FaithTrading Comfort for ClarityThe Beauty of Faithful ObediencePurpose in the WaitingOur First Response, Not Last ResortThe Heart Behind the PrayerTrusting in the UnknownTrusting Beyond Our UnderstandingThe Generous FatherGod's Will Is a Relationship, Not a PuzzleLiving with Renewed PurposeDaily Bread, Not Emergency MedicineWalking in the LightFrom Hearing to ObeyingThe Word in Our Darkest MomentsHolding Hands with JesusAnchored by Truth in a Drifting WorldThe Purpose in the PauseDiscipled by Speed, Developed by WaitingDivine Redirection, Not RejectionFaith Forged in the FurnaceThe Divine Appointment in DelayStrength for the Stretch
June
When Fear Meets FaithThe Promise of God's PresenceReleasing the Grip of ControlBringing Fear into the LightHeld by Nail-Scarred HandsCourage for the Next StepFinding RestThe Freedom of HonestyWho’s Really Leading Your Life?Rest Looks Like Being With HimRedefining Rest, Redefining WorthLiving From RestDesigned for JoyThe Purpose in PainCollapsing into ChristThe Journey of HealingHope Has a NameGod is Still WritingUnderstanding Holy AngerThe Danger of Lingering AngerFinding Peace in SurrenderThe Power of ConfessionThe Path to FreedomFrom Anger to RedemptionThe God Who Steps In
No Comments