Which feelings are from God ? any of them?

[Malcolm]

I heard Fr. Ripperger say that demons can influence our feelings so ultimately we can’t put total trust in feelings as a guide. I think I get this and actually agree but wonder if any of those wonderful feelings are OK (legitimate?)

Can you doubt your feelings too much ? Does Aquinas or someone give us guidance about how to tell which feelings are from God ? any of them ?

 

[TheLittleLady]

Feelings are emotions. They are from God insomuch as He created us as beings which experience emotions.

Aside from that one is unwise to allow themselves to be ruled by feelings.

I don’t give demons any more credit or power than they have. I’d suggest reading some Peter Kreeft about Angels and Demons.

 

[Sirach2]

Does Aquinas or someone give us guidance about how to tell which feelings are from God ? any of them ?

St. Ignatius was gifted by God to explain spiritual consolation and spiritual desolation, through his experiences that helped him to discern the difference. His book “Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius” has some good information on this. You may find portions on line.

Another good teacher is Fr. Timothy Gallagher who wrote a couple books on discerning these two differences, based on the writings of St. Ignatius. He is occasionally featured on EWTN giving conferences on this.

So, yes, we may experience consolations from God which are not merely emotional feelings, and they are often His way of giving us guidance with regard to aspects of our life. St. Teresa of Avila wrote much about this, as well. It is not easy to present all of this here, so I hope you will do some more research.

 

[CRV]

Feelings with regard to sin:- feeling ashamed or feeling guilt is from God and is His way to move us towards repentance and if mortal sin was committed then move us to go to Confession.
Not feeling any of these, but thinking/feeling it’s not too bad, it’s not a sin, or enjoying the sin, deriving pleasure from the sin is from Satan - that’s his way of trying to convince us it’s not so bad and not to repent, but to commit the same sin again.

Feelings in themselves are not sinful - it’s the actions that result from these feelings that are sinful. Example - feelings of anger - whether that be angry & resentful or hateful thoughts about another, in deeds e.g. hitting back at that person by speaking badly about them to another or speaking uncharitably to them in person, or out of anger physically assaulting the person or deliberately damaging their property.

If trying to decide a course of action, ie know Gods’ Will for you - religious vocation or marriage as an example - feelings of consolation (therefore positive) would be from God. Feelings of desolation (negative or sadness) can also be from God as he is trying to indicate that is not His Will for you.

I also know that other things have to align and that we are to use reason and not to rely on feelings alone when making decisions.

Suggested reading that may be of assistance to you -
Introduction to Discernment of Spirits
The Difference Between Consolation and Feeling Good
Consolation and Desolation

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Feelings with regard to sin:- feeling ashamed or feeling guilt is from God

Not necessarily. Scrupulous people or abuse victims may feel guilty or ashamed all the time. Those feelings aren’t from God.
I decided long, long ago that guilt was NOT a productive emotion in any way. If you have a sin, admit you sinned, repent, but sitting around feeling guilty beyond a simple “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner” and one Act of Contrition is useless. God doesn’t want us in sackcloth and ashes, he wants us to go and sin no more and do good for people, and we can’t do anything good for any other people when we’re hung up on our own guilt.
Shame is even worse.

I think a better way to determine the source of feelings is to look at the fruit of the feelings.

Do the feelings motivate us to do something good? Such as hug our moms, give thanks to God, go to confession, pray more, feel less anxious, etc?
If so: feelings are most likely from God.

Or, do the feelings motivate us to commit sin, feel continually ashamed/ dirty/ unworthy with no respite, turn away from God, fall into despair, have great anxiety, etc?
If so: Feelings are probably NOT from God.

Easy peasy.

 

[Dan_Defender]

‘That good and sweet feeling which you sometimes have is the effect of present grace and a certain
foretaste of your heavenly home. You must not lean upon it too much, because it comes and goes.’ - The Imitation of Christ

 

[CRV]

Not necessarily. Scrupulous people or abuse victims may feel guilty or ashamed all the time. Those feelings aren’t from God.

Quite true. I was speaking in general terms, and failed to clarify for those who suffer from scrupulosity. In general terms, it is our conscience indicating that we have done wrong, and can be a prompt of the Holy Spirit to turn back to God and if the occasion was mortal then to seek out the sacrament of Confession.
But your are correct in that this feeling cannot always be relied upon for those suffering from scrupulosity as the feelings of guilt arises from when a person has sinned, thought they’ve sinned, are worried something they’ve thought, said or done or not done was sinful.
Unfortunately I did not think to elaborate my response in greater detail taking into account all who may read my reply.
I’ll try to keep this error in mind. Thankyou for the correction.

Nevertheless I did say that we are to use reason and not to rely on feelings alone when trying to decide whether we have sinned or not.

 

[YoungCatholicGuy]

Read: ‘The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything’

It is based on the writings of St Ignatius of Loyola.

Basically thoughts can come from: yourself, God, or satan. And that is where discernment is important. Jesuit discernment teaches how to pray and decide where a thought is coming from.

Incredibly useful book.

 

[PapyrusDouay]

Folks have already mentioned Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the Spiritual Exercises, and Ignatian/Jesuit Spirituality.

I’ll just re-emphasize that. They’ve listed some great resources as well.

This is the realm and expertise of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, not so much Saint Thomas Aquinas.

 

[Annie]

I am paraphrasing, but I heard a lady on the radio say this, and I really regret not being able to give her more specific credit, because I have found it very helpful: Who wants you to feel this way: God or the devil?

 

[0Scarlett_nidiyilii]

Our ability to experience emotions and feelings are a gift from God. They’re like the dials and gages on the dashboard—they alert us to danger or well-being.
However, they are not the last word.
Just because you feel angry or sexual, doesn’t mean you may start throwing punches or have sex with the first person who comes along.
We are also given the gift of reason. We have to bring our feelings to reason and make good choices from there.