Today’s ONE THING: “Feelings Matter”

The famous Greek philosopher Plato stated that there are three ways to persuade people.  He listed them as 1) Logos, 2) Ethos, and 3) Pathos.

“Logos” = reason.  In other words, if you hope to persuade someone of something you must have a logical argument.

“Ethos” = ethics.  Furthermore, if you hope to persuade someone of something it is vital that your life matches your words.  You can have great logic but if there is a contradiction between what you say and what you do, you are going to have very little persuasive power.

“Pathos” = feelings and emotion.  Finally, you can have great logic and your deeds can be without fault, but if people do not like you (you evoke negative feelings), then your power to influence them will be virtually nil.

Bottom line, feelings matters.

The truth is we humans most often make choices by how people make us feel, not by their logic or even their morals (Do you know someone who is above reproach but you just don’t like them?  I bet you do).

I’ll give you an example.  Just this evening Sonja and I went out to dinner.  I know nothing about the owner of that restaurant – whether they are a saint or a rascal.  I will say that the food is good (that is logical), but the main reason we went there is that we like the way we “feel” when we go there…it just feels right.

I have a little reminder included on the sermon template that I use to begin my preparations for my sermons.  It states, “People will remember little that I say to them, but they will remember forever how I make them feel.” 

That’s a good reminder no matter your profession and station in life.  Yes, feelings matter.