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Help with a Q&A on gut instincts

April 28th, 2015

Of jolly urgency I ask, is there an interpretation of the question’s specific species of asking here, or what is wanting to be known by this:

“Did God gave us instinct or gut feeling?”

Graciousness aboundeth grace,
John

  • Seen by 36
  • Sarah Van Baale I probably wouldn’t answer that question directly. Instead I’d mention that gut feelings, instinct, intuition, etc. are often triggered by our physical senses noticing small things in our environment and then drawing a conclusion. (Pretty sure the Bible doesn’t mention them, but I could be wrong.) However, the Bible does emphasize following Christ’s lead and being in tune with the Holy Spirit. I’d try to draw the distinction between our physical senses and a heart and mind that is sensitive to God.
    April 26 at 8:30pm · Like · 6
  • Elizabeth DeVore Check out Malcolm Gladwell’s Blink sometime. He explains how often what we think of as instinct is actually really ingrained expertise. Like me being able to walk in a room and know how many cans of paint it would need. But, you know, Holy Spirit, too.
    April 26 at 9:20pm · Like · 1
  • Jeff Laird I would say yes, and it has to be carefully managed. That’s why the Bible warns about the heart being wicked, a way seeming right but leading to death, etc. We’re transformed by the renewing of our mind, not our emotions, so we have to compare that gut feeling to the Word. I did a class on the conscience I can link to, if you think it’d be relevant.
    Yesterday at 10:49am · Like · 2
  • Sarah Van Baale Jeff – I just read your answer and realized we read the same question differently. I took it as an either or question and you took the or gut feeling part as a clarification. I guess there are multiple ways to tackle this question!
    Yesterday at 11:14am · Like · 1
  • Marilyn Mcclintock I would consider the fact that the Holy Spirit often nudges His children, but we may not recognize right away that it’s from Him. Also, He gave us His Word to give us direction, and sometimes we forget where we heard it, so we think it’s instinct or gut feeling. Some things God has just ingrained in us to know; like right from wrong, even tho’ we don’t understand the why of it.
    23 hrs · Like · 2

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