Great peace be upon those who love Your law, there is no stumbling block for them (Psalm 119:165)
Mark Twain quotes a saying that you can say what you're doing is morally good if you "feel at peace after that." But if the action leaves a "feel bad," then what you are doing is morally wrong.
This statement can be understood in two ways. First, good or bad actions can give rise to good or bad feelings. This is true. Second, feelings will determine whether it is good or bad. One secular writer pointed out the fallacy of this interpretation when he said, sarcastically, that he liked Mark Twain's statement because it implied that you should try something at least once before knowing whether it is good or bad.
Feelings are not reliable indicators of moral behavior. The only reliable standard is the word of God, the Bible. Indeed, to obey God's commandments, sometimes we have to fight our emotions. Forgiving others, for example, is not our natural tendency. Yet we know that God wants us to do it (Matthew 6:14-15).
If we grow in love for God and His laws, and if obedience becomes a pattern of life, we will feel God's blessing and presence. This brings a feeling of peace based on truth. The psalmist describes this feeling as the "great serenity" that belongs to those who love God's law.
How do you feel about your behavior? -- HVL
IF YOU WANT TO BE FILLED WITH PROSPEROUS PEACE DO IT
WHAT PLEASES GOD
* Take from Daily Reflections