I listened to the story of someone who was mistreated because they practiced something the bible says is sin. I had feelings of empathy, compassion, & even sorrow for them. I had feelings of indignation as I considered how they were treated unfairly.

Other times, I have had an authority (such as a spiritual leader or trusted news source) tell me that something scripture says is actually not what it appears to say. I feel bad contradicting them.

Our feelings can be so strong about justice and what is right. These inner senses we get can even seem overpowering at times.

Are they accurate?

If we say, “yes,” then the key question is this: how do we know? What is the basis for our conclusion?

I know my feelings are 100% accurate about right and wrong because there are no examples in or out of scripture where someone’s feelings were incorrect.

There are entire areas of study on what is called our "cognitive bias." The limits and inaccuracies of our powers of observation and deduction are so many, they are hard to keep track of. This diagram and this list are a helpful start. But we don't need to wait for...

I know my feelings are 100% accurate about right and wrong because we can’t really know for certain what the bible says

One easy way out of any requirement to obey scripture is to say, "every one determines their own truth". But that assumption about spiritual truth is out of alignment with scripture. It's left over from our life before Christ. A more nuanced approach might be to...

I know my feelings are 100% accurate about right and wrong because some people should never be questioned

It takes maturity and humility to realize that a person can be wrong even if they are someone: who I like or respect or who has suffered or who is ethical in other ways It takes the Holy Spirit's power to realize that - apart from His help - we ourselves would rebel...

I know my feelings are 100% accurate about right and wrong because my other senses are always reliable

Is it wise to consider them infallible? We can gain insight from our other senses. Are they always accurate? For example, is our sense of sight always correct or do we experience optical illusions? Is our sense of balance right or must pilots rely on their instruments...

I know my feelings are 100% accurate about right and wrong because God wants me to be happy

Does God ever contradict my feelings? Does God care about my feelings? If we're not willing to submit ourselves to scripture even when it is costly and unpopular, it is possible we are not actually Christians in the biblical sense. Christ confronts every culture at...

I know my feelings are 100% accurate about right and wrong because God gave us a conscience

What a gift that God has given all people a conscience to help us know what is right and wrong (Romans 2). Sadly, our conscience can be seared and become less sensitive (1 Timothy 4). And even if it is not seared, it can still be unreliable, condemning us when we are...