Be led by the Holy Spirit, not our emotions

Rhema

Galatians 5:16–17 CSB

I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.

Life isn’t easy—often it’s tiring, frustrating, and lonely.

Last week, I went through a tough time myself, and it reminded me how many of us battle similar struggles. The enemy often targets our thoughts and emotions, knowing they’re vulnerable areas.

Our emotions naturally react to circumstances. (e.g. Something good makes us happy; something bad, upset or angry.)

Last week, I was emotionally drained—tired, frustrated, and sleep-deprived. These feelings began to affect my mindset. I grew bitter and started complaining, thinking it would help release some tension by venting. Instead, it made things worse.

Initially, I wasn’t aware of how I was letting my emotions affect me. Interestingly though, my spirit recognised it and I asked for our prayer group to pray that we would be led by the Spirit, not by emotions.

The next day, I realised that I had fallen victim to my emotions. 

We need to recognise the works of the flesh and the consequences it brings

Gal 6:8 The one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.

Allowing frustration to brew within me left me feeling emotionally, mentally, and physically drained.

I started thinking very negatively as well.

The most important thing was that I recognised I had opened the door to the enemy and I needed to shut the door.

Exhaustion can come when we allow the enemy to stir up our thoughts and emotions, which then wears us out.

We need to close the door by realigning our spirit and perspective

As we read earlier in Gal 5:16, we are called to walk by the Spirit so that we will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

So the next morning i decided to play worship music on my way to work to realign my thoughts and heart.

Worship can lift our spirit and help fix our eyes on God rather than the circumstances.

As I sang along, I felt my spirit being strengthened - and I learned something new -the breakthrough came by deciding in my heart that I will be encouraged through worship. 

It was not a thought of “I may be encouraged” or “I will try to encourage myself through worship”, but it was “I will be encouraged”.

God has given us free will and being set on the choice that will align us with God will bring about our breakthrough.

When my spirit began to be strengthened, I was able to hear God speak.

He told me to be aware of my emotions, to guard them.

I was reminded of 2 Cor 10:4–5, Demolish arguments and every proud thing (such as my complaints) and take every thought captive to obey Christ (so that renewal and refreshing may come).

God showed me that these thoughts have caused an unsettled and upset heart 

This is opposite to the heart that characterises a child of God - a heart that is still.

I needed to obey God, cast these thoughts aside, so that my heart can become still and joyful again.

I had to remember God’s words: love my neighbour, live in the fruit of the spirit, and to cleanse and purify my heart.

Resist the Enemy and be led by the God’s Spirit

As we read in Gal 5:17, For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.

James 4:7 teaches us to “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

The flesh will always want us to respond to circumstances in a natural and fleshly way, instead of responding in a Holy Spirit empowered and supernatural way. The flesh does not know how to respond in a godly way.

But thank God that His spirit resides in us.

If we surrender and yield to His nudging, He will silence the enemy.

As we lift our eyes toward God who is stronger than the enemy and our flesh, he will still our hearts.

The door that was opened to the enemy will become shut.

Peace, joy and comfort will fill our hearts again and we will be restored.

This can be a daily battle, but we can use it to train our spiritual muscle and develop our character.

Break up into pairs (5mins)

Share an experience - past or present - where your emotions affected you in spirit, soul and body.

What steps do you need to take to overcome it?

How can you use the situation to develop godly character in you?

Closing verse: 

Gladys - Stay the course

Psalm 119:1-3 - message bible

You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You're blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That's right - you don't go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set.

There are many ways to apply this verse in our lives, but today, I want us to practice staying on course by recognising and subjecting every negative thought and emotion to God on a daily basis. 

Let’s allow God to constantly renew our spirit, soul and body each day so that we will be steady in all that we do.

Closing prayer:

Pray that we will not be led by our thoughts and emotions but by faith and the spirit of God!