Being Led by the Spirit, Not by Feelings

“To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace . . . Those who obey their human nature cannot please God.” Romans 8:6, 8 (GNT)

Learning to manage my emotions is the key to peace of mind.

There are four important reasons from God’s Word for why I need to learn to deal with what I feel.

I need to learn to manage my emotions because they are often unreliable.
My gut is often wrong. My intuition is often flawed. My emotions often lead me down a blind alley. I can’t depend on everything I feel!

Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death” (NIV). You don’t have to accept everything you feel, because not everything you feel is right or authentic or will lead you in the right direction.

I need to learn to manage my emotions because I don’t want to be manipulated.
If I don’t control my emotions, they will control me, and I will be manipulated by my moods. And if I'm always guided by my feelings, other people are going to take advantage of me. Worst of all, negative emotions are Satan’s favorite tool. He will use fear, resentment, and worry to wreak havoc in my life.

The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (NIV).

I need to learn to manage my emotions because I want to please God.
God cannot rule my life if emotions are ruling it. If I make my decisions based on how I feel, then I've made my feelings god, and then God can’t be God in my life.

Romans 8:6, 8 says, “To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace . . . Those who obey their human nature cannot please God” (GNT).

I need to learn to manage my emotions because I want to succeed in life.
Study after study has shown that my emotional quotient is far more important than my IQ when it comes to success. How many people do you know who ruined their reputation because of something said in anger? Or missed a job opportunity because of their lack of self-control?

Proverbs 5:23 says, “[People] get lost and die because of their foolishness and lack of self-control” (CEV).

Jesus doesn’t just want to guide my thoughts and actions—he wants to be Lord of my emotions too. When I surrender my emotions to him, I open the door to greater peace, clarity, and spiritual growth.

In summary:

Romans 8:6, 8 remind me that living by my human nature leads to destruction, but living by the Spirit brings life and peace. That’s why learning to manage my emotions is essential—not only for my well-being, but also for spiritual growth and success. My feelings are often unreliable and can mislead me, manipulate me, and even become idols that take God’s place in my decision-making. If I let emotions rule, I become vulnerable to others’ control and Satan’s attacks. But when I surrender my emotions to Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to lead, I will experience peace, make wiser choices, and live a life that honors God.

Bottom Line:

If I want true peace and a life that pleases God, I must stop letting my emotions lead me and start letting the Holy Spirit guide me.