The Dangerous Pursuit of "Good Feelings"

Centuries ago, John Locke penned ideas that would echo through history. A hundred years later, Thomas Jefferson borrowed them, famously enshrining "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" in the Declaration of Independence. Fast forward to today, and people are still desperately seeking these three things: life, freedom, and happiness. It’s a deep, inherent desire within the human heart.
But here’s the rub: our hearts, according to Jeremiah 17:9, are "the most deceitful of all things." We’re born with a sinful, deceitful heart that craves these very things, yet so often, it leads us down the wrong path. Last week, we talked about approaching God with the right heart. This week, let’s explore why so many choose not to, often driven by a flawed understanding of liberty.
The Allure of "Freedom"
Liberty, at its core, means the state of being free. People crave their freedom, that endless need for adventure, for self-discovery. But this can be a dangerous trap, a path that ultimately betrays you. It can leave you more confused, less wise, and tragically, cramped in your own self-obsessions.
We need a better form of discernment—a way to sense what God is doing right where we are. We have to actively search for God's work and train our eyes to see beyond the surface. To illustrate this, let's turn to a biblical example: the life of Samson.
Samson's Self-Made Traps
Samson was set apart from birth as a Nazirite, vowed to a life of separation. This meant no cutting his hair, no drinking wine, no touching dead bodies—all integral parts of his vow. His divine mission? To deliver Israel from the Philistines. Yet, his story in Judges 14-16 reveals a man constantly swayed by his own desires.
Take his first encounter in Judges 14. "Now Samson went down to Timnah, and saw a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines." Timnah was a Philistine village, a place Samson shouldn't have been. But he chose to go. He liked what he saw, even though he knew she was a forbidden Philistine. His parents even questioned him: "Is there no woman among the daughters of your brethren, or among all my people, that you must go and get a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?" Samson's response? "Get her for me, for she pleases me well." He was led by his eyes, driven by what made him happy, completely disregarding God’s law.
Later, after tearing a lion apart with God-given strength, Samson found honey in its carcass. He violated his Nazirite vow by touching the dead body and then consuming the honey. He even gave some to his parents, making them ritually unclean too. He didn't care; he wanted what made him happy.
Then came the feast for his Philistine wedding. The Hebrew word for "feast" here implies a significant component of drinking, likely wine. As a Nazirite, even attending such an event where alcohol flowed would violate the spirit of his separation. Again, he didn’t care because he wanted what made him happy.
The Downward Spiral: Gaza and Delilah
Judges 16 shows an even deeper plunge into sin. "Now Samson went to Gaza and saw a harlot there, and went in to her." This was a blatant violation of God's moral law and a direct contradiction of his role as a judge and deliverer of Israel. He broke his vow, undermined his leadership, and yet again, he didn't care because he wanted what made him happy.
Then came Delilah. Samson "loved" her, though the text suggests more accurately, he lusted after her. Delilah, bribed with an astronomical sum by the Philistine rulers, relentlessly pestered Samson to reveal the secret of his strength. Despite her increasingly obvious intentions, Samson, blinded by his desires, repeatedly played her game. He turned a blind eye to the clear danger, and ironically, it cost him both his physical eyes. He chose to indulge his desires, leading to his capture and torment.
Samson lived for Samson. His actions were never for God's glory; they were for vengeance or what felt good. His motto truly seemed to be, "If it feels good, it is good."
The World's Motto: "If It Feels Good, It Is Good"
This "feel-good" mentality echoes through our world today. It’s why people endlessly chase adventure, hoping meaningful experiences will somehow produce a meaningful life. They crave freedom to do whatever they want, whatever makes them happy, whatever feels good.
This distorted view is at the root of so many issues we face:

• "If it feels good, it is good" is the foundation for arguments supporting things like gay marriage.
• "If it feels good, it is good" is used to justify tearing down statues, looting, and violence without consequence.
• "If it feels good, it is good" is the same twisted logic pedophiles are now trying to use to legitimize their sick desires. This is precisely why Jesus says you must be born again!
• "If it feels good, it is good" is why spouses cheat and marriages fall apart.
• "If it feels good, it is good" is why people turn to drugs.
• "If it feels good, it is good" is why so-called "Christians" skip church or abandon churches that preach the Bible for those that simply make them "feel good."

Beyond Good Feelings: True Commitment
But "feeling good" isn't enough to get you into heaven. The only way to receive salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ—believing that He loved you so much He died on the cross for your sins. The truth of God's incredible love for you should make you feel profoundly good!
As we’ve discussed throughout this series, God cares deeply about your character. Character demands conviction, courage, and above all, commitment.
Men, we must be committed first and foremost to God, and then to our families, leading them in the ways of the Lord.
For all Christians, we must commit ourselves to the place we are, diligently searching for what God is doing in it, and training our eyes to see more than the world values or even perceives.
What are you committed to seeing in your life today?