Beyond Emotions: Living by Faith, Not Feelings

In a world that constantly urges us to “follow our hearts” or “trust our gut,” the Christian walk calls us to a higher standard—one rooted not in the shifting sands of human emotions or thoughts but in the unchanging truth of God’s Word. The phrase “Don’t trust your thoughts or feelings” resonates deeply with those who have encountered the transformative power of the gospel, as it challenges the core of our fallen nature. Through the lens of Scripture and the testimony of those who have walked the path of redemption, such as Minister Johnny Chang, we uncover why our thoughts and feelings, left unchecked, can lead us astray, and how anchoring ourselves in God’s truth brings clarity, peace, and salvation.

This article explores the biblical admonition to guard against the deception of our own hearts and minds, drawing from Johnny Chang’s teachings as shared in his Unlearned Wisdom podcast and Core of the Heart ministry. We’ll examine key Old and New Testament verses that illuminate this principle and offer practical guidance for living a life surrendered to God’s will rather than our own fleeting impulses. As we journey through this topic, we’ll see how the Holy Spirit, through Scripture and divine guidance, redirects us from the pitfalls of self-reliance to the solid rock of faith.

The Deceptive Nature of Thoughts and Feelings

Johnny Chang, a former gang member turned minister, often shares his story of transformation to illustrate the dangers of trusting one’s own thoughts and feelings. In his podcast Unlearned Wisdom, he recounts a life once driven by pride, anger, and the pursuit of status—emotions and thoughts that felt justified in the moment but led only to destruction (Unlearned Wisdom, Episode 1). His testimony echoes a universal truth: our hearts and minds, corrupted by sin, are unreliable guides.

The Bible is clear about this reality. In Jeremiah 17:9 (Old Testament, NIV), we read, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” This verse lays bare the condition of the human heart apart from God’s intervention. Our feelings—whether anger, fear, or even fleeting joy—can masquerade as truth, convincing us to act in ways that defy God’s will. For Johnny, this meant clinging to gang life despite knowing it led to ruin. For us, it might mean chasing worldly success, harboring unforgiveness, or succumbing to despair when circumstances overwhelm us.

Similarly, Proverbs 3:5-6 (Old Testament, NIV) instructs, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Here, the warning is against relying on our own reasoning. Our thoughts, shaped by limited perspective and sinful tendencies, often lead us to rationalize wrong choices. Johnny’s early resistance to his pastor’s guidance, as he describes in his testimony, stemmed from a stubborn trust in his own logic—a logic that kept him tethered to the streets until God broke through (Unlearned Wisdom, Episode 1).

In the New Testament, 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV) commands, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” This verse calls us to actively confront our thoughts, testing them against the truth of Christ. Johnny emphasizes this in his Bible studies, urging listeners to “use God’s Word against deception” (Unlearned Wisdom, Episode 1). Feelings of guilt, pride, or temptation often arise unbidden, but we are not powerless. By submitting our minds to Scripture, we align ourselves with God’s perspective rather than our own.

Johnny Chang’s Testimony: A Case Study in Surrender

Johnny Chang’s journey from inmate to minister powerfully illustrates the need to distrust our thoughts and feelings. Raised in a broken home, Johnny turned to gangs to fill the void of belonging, trusting emotions like anger and loyalty to guide him (Unlearned Wisdom, Episode 1). These feelings felt authentic, even righteous, yet they led to violence, incarceration, and despair. It was only when he encountered the gospel through his mother’s pastor that he began to question the reliability of his heart.

In his podcast, Johnny describes a pivotal moment when his pastor used the “apple seed” analogy to explain sin’s deceptive nature (Unlearned Wisdom, Episode 1). Just as an apple seed grows into a tree that produces more apples, sinful thoughts and feelings, if trusted, multiply into destructive patterns. For Johnny, this meant recognizing that his pride and fear—emotions he once embraced—were seeds of sin that needed uprooting. This realization aligns with James 1:14-15 (New Testament, NIV): “Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

Johnny’s transformation began when he surrendered his thoughts and feelings to God’s truth. Living in the church dorm, he faced tests of humility, like scrubbing toilets, which challenged his pride (Unlearned Wisdom, Episode 1). Each step required him to reject the instinct to trust his feelings of resentment or superiority and instead lean on Scripture’s call to humility (e.g., Philippians 2:3). His story reminds us that spiritual growth demands constant vigilance over our inner world, replacing self-reliance with God-reliance.

Biblical Guidance for Overcoming Self-Deception

To navigate the Christian life without falling prey to our thoughts and feelings, Scripture offers timeless principles. Let’s explore these through two key verses—one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament—that Johnny often references in his teachings, and which we’ll designate as “future study verses” for deeper reflection.

Old Testament: Psalm 119:11 (NIV)

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

This verse, frequently cited in Johnny’s Bible studies, underscores the power of Scripture to guard our hearts. By memorizing and meditating on God’s Word, we equip ourselves to counter deceptive thoughts and feelings. Johnny shares how, during moments of temptation to return to gang life, he clung to verses like this to anchor his mind (Unlearned Wisdom, Episode 1). For example, when feelings of fear or inadequacy surfaced, he recalled God’s promises, such as Isaiah 41:10, to steady his resolve.

Future Study Application: Memorizing Psalm 119:11 encourages us to make Scripture a daily shield. Consider setting aside time each week to commit a verse to memory, asking the Holy Spirit to bring it to mind when emotions threaten to lead you astray. Reflect on how God’s Word has corrected your perspective in the past, and journal these insights to deepen your trust in His truth.

New Testament: Romans 12:2 (NIV)

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Johnny often emphasizes this verse to highlight the need for mental renewal (Core of the Heart, website). The “pattern of this world” bombards us with messages to trust our feelings—whether through media, culture, or personal desires. Yet, Romans 12:2 calls us to reject this mindset, allowing God’s Spirit to reshape our thoughts through prayer, worship, and study. Johnny’s shift from gang member to minister required this transformation, as he learned to discern God’s will over his own (Unlearned Wisdom, Episode 1).

Future Study Application: To apply Romans 12:2, dedicate time to prayerfully examine areas where your thoughts align with worldly values rather than God’s. For instance, do you chase approval, success, or comfort based on feelings? Study passages like Colossians 3:1-2 to refocus on heavenly priorities. Join a Bible study group, as Johnny encourages through Core of the Heart, to grow in discernment alongside others.

Practical Steps to Distrust Your Thoughts and Feelings

Drawing from Johnny’s teachings and Scripture, here are practical ways to live out this principle:

  1. Test Every Thought Against Scripture: When emotions or ideas arise, pause to ask, “Does this align with God’s Word?” Use tools like a concordance or Bible app to find relevant verses, as Johnny suggests in his Q&A sessions (Unlearned Wisdom, Episode 1).
  2. Seek Godly Counsel: Johnny’s transformation hinged on his pastor’s guidance (Unlearned Wisdom, Episode 1). Surround yourself with mature believers who can offer biblical perspective when your feelings cloud your judgment (Proverbs 15:22).
  3. Pray for Discernment: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal deceptive thoughts, as promised in John 16:13. Johnny credits prayer for helping him overcome temptation (Unlearned Wisdom, Episode 1).
  4. Replace Lies with Truth: When feelings of unworthiness or anger surface, counter them with God’s promises, like Ephesians 2:10 or Matthew 5:44. Johnny’s practice of “setting boundaries to guard his flesh” reflects this discipline (Unlearned Wisdom, Episode 1).
  5. Stay Rooted in Community: Johnny’s Core of the Heart ministry emphasizes fellowship (coreoftheheart.com). Engage with a church or small group to stay accountable and grounded in truth (Hebrews 10:24-25).

The Promise of Trusting God Over Self

By refusing to trust our thoughts and feelings, we open the door to God’s peace and purpose. Johnny’s life testifies to this: from a prisoner of his own heart to a minister of the gospel, he found freedom by surrendering to God’s truth. As Isaiah 26:3 (NIV) declares, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

Let us, like Johnny, commit to hiding God’s Word in our hearts (Psalm 119:11) and renewing our minds daily (Romans 12:2). As we do, we’ll walk by faith, not sight—or feelings—knowing that God’s truth is the only sure foundation for our lives. For further study, reflect on Psalm 119:11 and Romans 12:2 this week, asking God to reveal where you’ve trusted your thoughts or feelings over His truth. May your journey mirror Johnny’s: a testimony of grace that leads others to Christ.