The Seduction of Sentimentalism
“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18 (KJV)
How often have you heard someone say one of the following statements?
“I know that this is right because it feels right.”
“My gut feeling is guiding me to what is good.”
“This is true because my feelings tell me that it is true.”
“I know what scripture says, but this what I feel.”
I would venture to say that all of us have been caught, carried away and smitten by sentimentalism. I am referring to sentimentalism that is not scrutinized or placed under subjection to the Spirit of God. I posture the position that one of the paramount problems within Christianity and professing church folks today is sentimentality. Sentimentalism presents itself in a plethora of paths and patterns. Simply stated, sentimentalism is a sham of spirituality cloaked in carnality and is not sourced by the Spirit of God.
Sentimentalism drapes us in deception and dismisses and diminishes reality. In addition, sentimentalism seeks to supplant God and His Word as the authority and absolute guide in every area of our life.
“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Psalm 32:8 (KJV)
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105 (KJV)
“For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.” Proverbs 6:3 (KJV)
Our opening title introduces the thought that sentimentalism is seductive. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, the word seduction means to persuade to disobedience or disloyalty; to lead astray usually by persuasion or false promises. In addition, the word sentiment refers to an attitude toward something; a regard or opinion, a mental feeling; emotion: a thought influenced by or proceeding from feeling or emotion.
I submit to you that when we sit down at the sweet table of sentimentalism, we will be persuaded to be disloyal to the Lord and disobedient to His Word. Also, sentimentalism will lead us astray with falsehoods and promises that will never be kept.
Bottom line: sentimentalism sinks you into seduction. Consequently, when we are seduced by sentimentalism (aka our feelings), we will suspend God’s will and purposes in our lives and substitute our own. This will include but is not limited to faith, family, finances, and faculty (work). Our good, good Father God has never encouraged us to embrace the leadership of our emotions or to follow our feelings. Truth is always found in the Word of God and not our feelings. We are told repeatedly in the Word of God to turn to and trust God. It is foolish to follow our feelings.
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.” Proverbs 12:15 (KJV)
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12 (KJV)
In 1 Timothy 4:1, Scripture reminds us of seducing spirits and how they will sever our loyalty to God and lead us astray from God. Respectfully, our sentiments are equal to the task in removing God’s leadership in our lives. Finally, when sentimentality deliberately deceives us about what we really are, it maliciously moves like a metastatic cancer into every area of our lives. Consequently, we get comfortable with canceling out God’s Word and His will in our walk. It makes us think that we are superior to those “less intelligent,” and often irritating people who still maintain the lines of righteousness according to Spirit and Truth. Sentimentality is not just a thief in the night but a thief all day and every day. Keep that thief out by keeping God’s truth in your heart!
For the Glory of God,
PBKSR