After Effects of Being Saved

[RedMGT]

I have read from several posters that a feeling of happiness, elation comes over them after being saved. I too had those feelings after saying the Sinner's prayer...like a big weight was lifted off my shoulders. Also a sense of pure joy knowing I had given my life to Christ.

Are these feelings exclusive or can anyone turn to the Lord for salvation, regardless what religion they practice?

I read one person's testimony of his salvation accompanied by the same feelings and emotions but yet he continues to practice Mormonism. It would make sense to me if that person, after being saved, would know otherwise.

Peace,

Jerry

[Timothy]

I would say that feelings and emotions should not be used an indicator of salvation, etc. Why?

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Proverbs 28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool..

Feelings and emotions are responders (reactors). Emotions are "dumb" - there is no intelligence in them, by themself, because they follow (are the result of) thoughts. What we think determines how we feel. The most practical example is a scary movie. While watching the movie, we are THINKING and processing in our minds about what's going to happen next, etc. We get scared, the heart races, palms get sweaty, etc. But nothing is happening to us - our emotions can't tell the difference (between fact and fantasy).

The Bible appeals to our mind and thoughts, not our emotions:

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him

II Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ

If the feeling or emotion is the result of scripturally based thoughts, then there is nothing "wrong" with them. But they should never be used as a measure of anything.

[Moony2ns]

Hmmm... very good question. :thumb

From my own experience, the after effects of being saved entailed more than just relief and joy. I experienced a "lifting of the veil" sort of thing. In other words, I saw the world in a completely different light. It was truly as though God had removed my spiritual blinders and I could see the world for what it was/is. I attribute this to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Now, before being saved, I had gone to God in prayer, confessing my sins, asking for help, and feeling a weight lift off my shoulders, but it didn't last very long. I had not given my life or submitted myself to the Lord. I wanted Him to do all for me, but I had a lot of doubt and not a lot of faith (or any). I guess you could say I knew ABOUT God, but I didn't really know Him, nor was I truly willing to pick up my cross and follow Him.

I think anytime you start something new in your life, you get a feeling of elation and hope. Kind of like when you join a Health Club and you are certain that this is going to change your life and your body for the good... but we know how that usually works out. ;): I think this is true with people who join a new religion. They are full of hope and elation, but time will tell if they truly have the HS within them.

Is it possible for someone who has converted to Mormonism to be saved? I believe so if they are unaware of their false teachings, but once they are exposed to them and they get no "red flags," then I'd have to question it. But we definitely can't rely on superficial emotions to assume whether someone is saved or not.


:angel

Elizabeth

[Moony2ns]

If the feeling or emotion is the result of scripturally based thoughts, then there is nothing "wrong" with them. But they should never be used as a measure of anything.

Very well put... something I was trying to say, but couldn't find the words. :B:

[BarbT]

I thank Messiah every day for making it easy for me. :D:

He not only replaced sorrow with joy overnight, He also left His *calling card* by delivering me from a 30 yr drinking habit. God didn't wean me off booze slowly -- He instantly removed the desire to drink. That was 5 and a half years ago and I haven't touched a drop since. :):

Somehow, I just knew everything I was feeling from that point on was the real thing. :):

[Grow with God]

Originally posted by Moony2ns

From my own experience, the after effects of being saved entailed more than just relief and joy. I experienced a "lifting of the veil" sort of thing. In other words, I saw the world in a completely different light. It was truly as though God had removed my spiritual blinders and I could see the world for what it was/is. I attribute this to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.




Just had to make that a little bigger, because that's what I experienced and what many Christians I know experienced. You see everything around in in a different light once you are saved.

[My Abba's Child]

Originally posted by RedMGT
I have read from several posters that a feeling of happiness, elation comes over them after being saved. I too had those feelings after saying the Sinner's prayer...like a big weight was lifted off my shoulders. Also a sense of pure joy knowing I had given my life to Christ.

Are these feelings exclusive or can anyone turn to the Lord for salvation, regardless what religion they practice?

I read one person's testimony of his salvation accompanied by the same feelings and emotions but yet he continues to practice Mormonism. It would make sense to me if that person, after being saved, would know otherwise.

Peace,

Jerry

You should N E V E R rely on something as fickle as FEELINGS when dealing with Salvation. Satan can manipulate your feelings, this is how people fall into cults (more than Mormonism... I'm talking Jim Jones time!). Any 'religion' is going to involve emotions, emotions are VERY poor indicators. You can be happy one second and depressed the next. You can be in a perfectly good mood one second, someone says something that ticks you off, and suddenly you're foaming raving mad, etc... etc... It's not YOUR feelings that save you, it's Christ's atoning sacrifice.

I learned this the hard way... when I was saved, I had to talk to the pastor's wife 2 or 3 times to be convinced because I didn't "FEEL" any different. We rely on God's power and promise, that's what faith is, to know we are truly saved. If we knew we were saved because of our 'feelings' we wouldn't be living by faith and not by sight. We would be relying on our feelings instead of our faith in God. Yes, many people testify of having certain sensations at the moment of salvation.. but like you said, other religions claim the same feelings.

As for your friend who claims Christ's salvation but still practices Mormonism... you should see if you can get him into a Bible study, either at church or with you privately (but only if you're WELL grounded in the Word). You see, someone who's a brand new Christian who doesn't know what God's word really says, are apt to fall into bad doctrine because they just don't know the Word. Salvation brings you alive as a new creature, but God's word teaches you how that new creature needs to live. :):

In His love,

[Jade]

I did not feel peace after I became saved. I actually felt all torn up inside like a tornado had swept through my soul.

On the other hand, people who knew me kept telling me how calm and peaceful I looked the next day. I knew where that came from (hint: God).