“You should not believe your conscience and your feelings more than the word which the Lord who receives sinners preaches to you.”
- November 10, 1483 – February 18, 1546
- Born in the Holy Roman Empire (Germany)
- Reformer, theologian
- Promoted the Protestant Reformation and published the Ninety-five Theses
Quote
“You should not believe your conscience and your feelings more than the word which the Lord who receives sinners preaches to you.”
Explanation
In this quote, Martin Luther emphasizes the supremacy of God’s Word over personal feelings and conscience. Luther is cautioning against placing too much trust in the fluctuating and sometimes misleading nature of one’s emotions or conscience. While conscience and feelings are important and can guide us, they are not always reliable, especially when they are clouded by guilt, fear, or sin. Luther asserts that the Word of God, specifically the gospel message of forgiveness and grace, is the ultimate truth and should be the guiding principle for the believer. He reminds us that God, through Christ, offers forgiveness to sinners, regardless of personal doubts or feelings of unworthiness.
Luther’s view on conscience was shaped by his belief in justification by faith alone (sola fide). He argued that salvation is not dependent on one’s own works or feelings of righteousness but on God’s grace as revealed through the gospel. For Luther, the Word of God—that is, the message of Christ’s sacrifice and forgiveness—was the only sure foundation on which a believer could stand. Even when conscience accuses or feelings lead one to despair, the believer is called to trust in God’s promise of grace, knowing that God’s Word is unchanging and true.
In modern contexts, this quote serves as a reminder that emotions and self-doubt should not control our sense of worthiness or salvation. Whether in times of guilt, anxiety, or confusion, Luther encourages us to turn to Scripture and the gospel for reassurance, rather than relying solely on our own fluctuating emotions. In situations where we may feel unworthy or disconnected from God, this perspective reminds us that God’s promise of grace and forgiveness is greater than our doubts or feelings of inadequacy, offering us comfort and peace in His eternal truth.
