When the Bible Conflicts with the Heart
The Bible contains profound insights. Virtually everyone interested in spirituality is touched by the teachings of Jesus Christ – even those who are not Christian. So much of Jesus’s teachings are felt at the heart level.
Yet some portions of the Bible do not touch my heart. They conflict with my heart. I think many people feel this, although some are hesitant to admit it.
One passage which draws a lot of controversy on this topic is this well known verse:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Those who take the Bible literally will say that this verse is crystal clear. Those who accept Jesus are saved and will live in Heaven for eternity. Those who do not believe in Jesus will not enter Heaven.
What does your heart tell you about this verse? Does your heart embrace this passage…or does it feel a bit uneasy?
Let’s check it out a bit more.
One person (we’ll call John) goes to church every week and accepts Jesus. In his day-to-day life, he is dishonest in his business, has committed adultery and is often unkind to his employees and even to his family members.
Another person (we’ll call Bill) was not raised in any particular religion. He is kind and loving to everyone. He helps everyone in the neighborhood who needs assistance. He asks for nothing in return. He has a smile for all he meets. He judges nobody. He thinks the Christian faith is beautiful but has never been drawn to accept Jesus as Savior.
If we take the Bible verse literally, John goes to Heaven. Bill goes to Hell.
Does your HEART have any problem with this scenario? Try not to answer with your MIND, which can say, “It’s in the Bible, so it is true.” I’m asking your HEART. Is your heart ok with Bill going to Hell? Can your heart see that result as the action of a loving God?
My heart (presumably given to me by God) can’t see that result as love.
Let’s take a look at some other Bible verses that may conflict with your heart.
“Women should be silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak, but should be submissive, as the law also says.” (1 Corinthians 14:34)
Is your heart ok with that one?
Maybe, maybe not.
“When a man strikes his slave, male or female, with a rod and the slave dies under his hand, he shall be punished. But if the slave survives a day or two, he is not to be punished, for the slave is his money.” (Exodus 21:20-21)
How does your heart feel about that passage?
I would invite you to read all of Exodus 21 and see if you can possibly say that all of it resonates with your heart.
This exercise isn’t about bashing the Bible. I could quote thousands of passages which DO resonate with my heart, at the deepest levels.
Yet there are some passages that don’t – and in those instances I feel compelled to trust my heart, not the literal words of the Bible. You’re free to take a different stance.
Regarding John 3:16 quoted above, some people might SAY that they accept Jesus as Savior but how do we know if they are just saying the words as opposed to meaning it?
The Christian response is often, “Jesus knows what is in your heart.” (whether you truly believe in Him)
If Jesus looks to our heart to find truth, shouldn’t we be able to trust our own heart when it comes to Bible passages that conflict with the heart?
Do you ever notice a conflict between the Bible and what you feel in your heart? How do you handle it? I welcome your perspective on this issue and will include some of these comments in upcoming issues of the newsletter.
– Jeff Keller
© 2009