The past few decades have seen an increase in emphasis placed on listening to what goes on in our minds and "hearts" to determine what is right and wrong. The problem with that is that each person will apply a different standard to their life and who is to say that what works for one person is right or wrong for someone else.

In religion this has long been a premise accepted in more than one system of belief. The idea that we possess the ability to guide ourselves and discover ultimate truth leads to more questions than answers. When we turn to the scriptures we find that God revealed his will to man to eliminate this confusion and in spite of that, many insist on being led by how they feel.

I have heard religious folks state that their experience of being a Christian and being saved is "better felt than told" meaning they had an experience beyond their ability to explain that confirms they are a child of God. When we turn to the scriptures we find that God's word is never based on ideas that humans have and it does not involve mysterious experiences that cannot be described when it comes to knowing that we are serving God. Solomon writes, "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Prov. 16:25). Jeremiah also adds to that, stating, "O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jer. 10:23). In order to determine if we are correct we need to understand that God's revelation and commands came from God, not humans. They are external to us and our way of thinking. Isaiah also comments on this when he states, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Is. 55:8-9). Peter tells us that what we have in the scriptures is not by the will of man but was revealed by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1:21). Paul also states that all scripture has come about by the inspiration of God (2 Tim. 3:16). That removes the human factor. We also find that throughout the scriptural narrative, mankind never knew the will or mind of God outside of external divine revelation (1 Cor. 2:11). During the Patriarchal period God spoke to the heads of households. During the period governed by the Law of Moses, there were prophets and priests who were active but the Law was written down for them to read. In the New Testament we find that the final revelation of God was revealed and recorded once and for all (Jude 3).

Having done that, we find that all who responded to the Gospel are those who heard the word preached or read the word that had been written by inspired men who recorded the message of the Spirit. Nowhere in the scriptures do we find anyone knowing they were converted through some vision or experience. The apostle Paul in Acts chapter 9 was instructed by Christ to go to Damascus and wait until he was told what to do. Ananias was then sent to teach Paul, or Saul as he was known at the time, to obey. Cornelius the centurion's prayers rose before God as a memorial that the time to reveal the word to the Gentiles had come. An angel appeared to Cornelius, which was quite an experience in itself, but was instructed to send for Peter who would tell him what he needed to know (Acts 10). The experience that each of these examples shows is that there was always an external factor involved in conversion. It did not just happen out of the blue, so to speak, and was rooted in the rational and objective delivery of God's word to those who were listening. Paul places emphasis on this as he tells the Ephesians, "Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand me knowledge in the mystery of Christ" (Eph. 3:4).

As we point out, the experience of hearing or reading the Gospel may do as much to discomfort us when we realize we are outside the saving grace of God (Heb. 4:12). When we read, understand and obey, we will achieve the peace of mind that some claim to have, but not until then.