Emotionalism

EMOTIONS IN THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN

Romans 12:9-16; James 5:13-16

SOME PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS:

Emotions are a huge part of the way we have been made.

It is not so much of a matter that we can choose NOT to love, NOT to hate, NOT to experience sorrow or joy, etc, but WHEN and HOW MUCH, and TOWARD WHOM we may feel those emotions.

The reality is that God COMMANDS them, or at least the proper use of them.

Properly viewed, and properly expressed, they become a positive force in our development toward the person that God loves and wants to share heaven with.

Wrongly viewed or expressed, they become a liability, and form part of an environment which very easily yields to temptation.

Questions to answer:

Can emotion replace reason?

Can reason replace emotion?

Is emotion useful for the Christian?

What happens if I stifle my emotions?

Emotion cannot replace Reason.

It does not dictate our standing with God.

To some, it is not “what does the Bible say”, but “how does it make me feel”, that determines their perception of peace (or lack of it) with God.

Pentecostalism, the charismatic movement, neo-Pentecostalism, etc., are forms of a subjective religion that base one’s approval from God upon “feelings”, not “reason”.

Our Faith is “taught”, not “felt”. Jn. 6:44,45; Rom. 10:17; 2 Cor. 5:7; Jer. 10:23; Acts 2, 10, 11

John 6:44, 45. FAITH is not a “feeling” but a condition of one’s heart toward a person or principle which results from reasoned elements leading to a logically compelling conclusion.

Its source is not from within one’s self, but from without (Rom 10:17), and sometimes actually contradicts human feelings (2 Cor 5:7; Jer 10:23).

God never put the operation of the Holy Spirit (usually considered as the One responsible for producing the “better felt than told” approach to religion) and feelings together!

In every Bible example, the approach–while supernatural and somewhat inexplicable–was always rational.

In Acts 2, what was done was rational (men spake, men understood, men taught), and there was NO reference to feelings. AFTER the sermon, in response to the conviction it caused, men DID feel–they were “pricked in the heart” (wouldn’t we all be?)

In Acts 8, Philip preached, men responded in obedience to the message, the H. S. was given, etc. Again, there was NO reference to feelings.

In Acts 10 and 11, at the house of Cornelius, it was a rational message (11:14–“words...whereby...thou may be saved.”.) that brought conversion, NOT a sensation “better felt than told”..

Reason cannot replace Emotion.

Don’t let Reason drive us from Emotion! Ecc. 3:4,8

Sometimes, the awareness of the above emotional extremes seems to drive us away from ANY emotional response to God and circumstances.

Ecclesiastes 3:4,8 indicates that there is a place for emotions (a “time” to laugh, mourn, love, hate, etc.)

God COMMANDS and CONTROLS emotion: Matt 22:37-39

What is difference between a “feeling”, and an “action”?

“Let brotherly love continue” – Heb 13:1

Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

Matt. 22:37-39 “thou shalt love ....”

1 John 2:15-17 “love NOT the world...”

Ephesians 4:26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

James 1:19 “....be slow to wrath...”

God EXEMPLIFIES emotion:

Jesus wept – John 11:35; mourned the plight of Jerusalem Matt 23:37; LOVED righteousness, HATED iniquity (Heb 1:9); expressed “zeal” (Jn 2:17)

God COMMENDS emotion:

Rom 10:1,2 – “...I bear them record, they have a zeal for God..”

2 Cor 7:11 “For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.”

Our Emotions are Valuable.

A. As an outlet for one’s feelings – pent up emotion is harmful - physically, and mentally.

B. As an indicator of one’s response to needs, or actions, of another.

C. To express one’s regard for God, truth, others, self.

D. As a stimulus to growth, more active participation, less controlled response.

Lack of Emotion Can Destroy The Confession of our Faith.

In overreacting to emotionalism, some have taken on the spirit of stoicism.

“not easily excited; unmoved by joy or grief..”

The Stoics strove to master their feelings so they would not be affected by any event, even tragedy. Their personalities were cold and lifeless.)

Desired by some as a “manly” trait (was Jesus not “manly”?)

Stoicism in various acts of worship:

SINGING with no spirit, no volume, or not singing at all.

Being “filled with the spirit” is expressed by singing and “making melody in the heart.”

PRAYING by rote, reciting rather than speaking from the heart.

(No “amens” from those who are being led–that might be too emotional. Cf. “We don’t do that here..”)

LORD’S SUPPER often presented casually, with little preparation.

PREACHING – may be lifeless, emotionless, delivered in a monotone, and on a topic of no real relevance.

If a preacher tries to put some “life” into his lesson, he is discouraged by the appearance of his audience – no response, nodding of heads, expression of approval when the truth is preached.

Keep in mind, I cannot read the heart of another! So I need to be cautious in judgment concerning what I see or don’t see!

These observations are mainly for each of us as individuals to evaluate our expressions of joy, conviction, and fulfillment in our worship to God.

We Need Emotion!

Even though emotion itself is NOT the goal (glory to God is), denying emotion can rob glory from God!

We need vibrant churches and vigorous Christians who can sing with tears of happiness or sorrow; who pray fervently; who are touched with gratitude and express it every time the Lord’s supper is observed, and who appreciate gospel preaching and show it. This glorifies God.

We need godly people who “feel” the pain and joy of others, and share openly in it. In short, we need emotions to be expressed, to stimulate us all to stronger ties of fellowship and reverence. This glorifies God.

How Can We Embrace Proper Emotion?

Read the Psalms. Ps. 6,88,99,121

Psalm 6

Psalm 88

Psalm 99

Psalm 121

Read the Gospels. Mk. 14:32-35; Lk. 22:44

Mk. 14:32-35 “Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.” He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him.”

Lk. 22:44 “And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

Walk with Jesus as you read. Be His disciple, following Him, seeing what He does, hearing what He says. Allow your heart to be open to the convicting truth, fulfilling joy, and deep sorrow that you find in His story.

Discern the Body of Christ. 1 Cor. 11:20-22,29; Jn. 11:35-37

1 Cor. 11:29 “For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.”

LEB “does not recognize the body”

Context - they were not “waiting” for one another and dishonored the LS with their horrible behavior to EACH OTHER. (1 Cor. 11:20-22)

If we care enough about each other, deep losses and great successes that each member experiences should be shared and appreciated by all!

Our emotion can actually help in this communication!

John 11:35-37 - Sad for more than one reason, but 1) the Jews based Jesus’ reaction rightly on his love, but 2) assumed that He could not do anything more for Lazarus (which was likely what caused Jesus to weep in the first place!

Our emotion plays into this. Do not keep your “mask” on to the detriment of your fellow Christian!