Emotion?

[Least]

Emotions

I’ve heard people say that a believer should have no emotions at all. That makes no sense to me. There are many examples of emotions in the scriptures, love and compassion, laughter and weeping, grief and rejoicing, and many more. The shortest verse in the bible says: John 11:35 Jesus wept.

(There are also many examples of "bad" emotions.)

To have no emotions at all causes me to wonder if a heart has grown cold.

Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Iniquity in the above verse is defined as:

AV - iniquity 12, unrighteousness 1, transgress the law + 4160 1,
transgression of the law 1; 15

The two greatest commandments have always been; to love God with all our heart, mind and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Matthew 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Iniquity has always been tied to getting further and further away from God’s instruction, direction and guidance. There are many examples of iniquity abounding throughout scripture. When iniquity ruled the days of Ahab and Jezebel, it’s not difficult to see even a portion of how coldness of heart brought selfishness, anger and then ultimately, murder. It also shows how far they had gotten away from God's word and His ways, as the account continues with a final showdown between the prophets of Baalam and Elijah. (1 Kings 21:1-12) (1 Kings ch. 17 and 18.)

Another example would be Cain when his anger and jealousy ruled in his heart, and he slew his brother.

“Love,” is an emotion. I know that there are different classifications of what love is, but for the sake of examining the different types of emotions involved with a believer who is abiding in Christ,
I’m going to keep this focused on the aspect of “agape love.”

Luke 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

Knowing God’s great mercy, kindness, patience and love towards us we should also have the same, mercy, kindness, patience and love towards others engrafted in our hearts. All of us who are believers should know this, that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. He loved us when we were lost in sin and when we could not even begin to love Him back. In the flesh it is difficult to love the un-lovable. To show another person love and compassion while they outwardly despise us is a sign of weakness to the natural mind. But in Christ it is real strength! With His love shed abroad in our hearts, (John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.) Loving the un-lovable is not only a concept, but an actuality.

Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Scriptures give us examples of natural emotions which are no good, such as, envy, resentment, unforgiveness, hatred, bitterness, self-pity, and on and on.
But it also gives us examples of what good emotions consist of.

Compassion, kindness, forgiveness, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness...

I would say that all of these, and more, are a great way to examine our hearts, to see if we are abiding in Christ, in His word.

Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Galatians 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Psalms 112:4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

(1 Corinthians Ch. 13; is an excellent chapter on this subject.)

 

[OnThisRock]

Yes. I also think that excessive sarcasm, rudness, and criticism is a heart that needs to go back to God for refreshing. I also noticed, after excessive attack for a few years straight, I had to move to a place with a deep sense of community and belonging or I would have died of a broken heart.

 

[Ella85]

Who told you that?
That would be impossible to show no emotion. Not only that, we were not made that way. So....

 

[Richie_2uk]

Showing no emotion is a sign of a heartless. Of course God gave us emotions, Just that we fully don't understand it. It's that simple. We are constantly evolving, we are constantly learning, we are constantly trying to dig deep into the unknown of God's mysteries. and we are no were near anything. Thats the truth of the matter. There is a reason why God gave us feelings, emotions, and all other things. but the question is? do we understand it? do we want to understand it? So yeh of course people will say its not right to have emotions, and claim stupid comments like that, thats because they have given up trying to understand it.

To understand God's true love, we need to know it, and want to know it, and want it. until then? we will never fully understand it all.

Example: How many of you people, have taken something wrong, by what someone has written in a text? I put my hands up on a few occasions. But I didn't see teh emotion behind the text that was written. Its easy to point the finger, because of what someone has said. But if we actually thought about it. and asked what did they mean by what they said, they may put it a little different for us to understand. So that we won't have to get to the point of taken that person wrongly.

I think personally it good to have emotions, as emotions does come from the heart. and if God made us to have heart, then he has designed it to have emotions. But we have to use emotions the right way of course were it was intended by design.

 

[Least]

Yes. I also think that excessive sarcasm, rudness, and criticism is a heart that needs to go back to God for refreshing. I also noticed, after excessive attack for a few years straight, I had to move to a place with a deep sense of community and belonging or I would have died of a broken heart.

Amen OnThisRock,

Matthew 15:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

We should always be examining our own hearts when those types of issues come up.

It also shows us a lot about what is on the heart of another person. We can't know the deepest levels of what is on a persons heart, but we certainly can discern by what we hear and see. Without question, God knows the deepest details.

I'm glad that you found a place to belong, and that God has comforted your heart.

 

[Least]

Showing no emotion is a sign of a heartless. Of course God gave us emotions, Just that we fully don't understand it. It's that simple. We are constantly evolving, we are constantly learning, we are constantly trying to dig deep into the unknown of God's mysteries. and we are no were near anything. Thats the truth of the matter. There is a reason why God gave us feelings, emotions, and all other things. but the question is? do we understand it? do we want to understand it? So yeh of course people will say its not right to have emotions, and claim stupid comments like that, thats because they have given up trying to understand it.

To understand God's true love, we need to know it, and want to know it, and want it. until then? we will never fully understand it all.

Example: How many of you people, have taken something wrong, by what someone has written in a text? I put my hands up on a few occasions. But I didn't see teh emotion behind the text that was written. Its easy to point the finger, because of what someone has said. But if we actually thought about it. and asked what did they mean by what they said, they may put it a little different for us to understand. So that we won't have to get to the point of taken that person wrongly.

I think personally it good to have emotions, as emotions does come from the heart. and if God made us to have heart, then he has designed it to have emotions. But we have to use emotions the right way of course were it was intended by design.

I hear you! Yes, sometimes in a forum where there's just text involved and no expression seen, it can be easy to take somethings of of context.

I agree with you that it's good to have emotions. How can we worship God or be thankful to HIM without any emotion? David shows a lot emotion from thankfulness and joy, to sincere repentance in Psalms.

But there are bad emotions as well, and it's important that we recognize these types of emotions too. Emotions that can cause a person to lash out at others or cause harm to others, those only come from the flesh.

I think that if we can recognize that as well, it would be much less grievous when we are responding to someone who lashes out in that way. It gives us a good perspective on where they are coming from, knowing that we all have and do struggle with certain emotions, but also knowing that in Christ those things can be overcome.

Thank you for your response.

 

[Richie_2uk]

I hear you! Yes, sometimes in a forum where there's just text involved and no expression seen, it can be easy to take somethings of of context.

I agree with you that it's good to have emotions. How can we worship God or be thankful to HIM without any emotion? David shows a lot emotion from thankfulness and joy, to sincere repentance in Psalms.

But there are bad emotions as well, and it's important that we recognize these types of emotions too. Emotions that can cause a person to lash out at others or cause harm to others, those only come from the flesh.

I think that if we can recognize that as well, it would be much less grievous when we are responding to someone who lashes out in that way. It gives us a good perspective on where they are coming from, knowing that we all have and do struggle with certain emotions, but also knowing that in Christ those things can be overcome.

Thank you for your response.

I see emotion like the tree of knowledge, Its good and bad. But most people take emotion well out of its context and true meaning. simply because no one, really knows the true meaning of it. Unless we are in God's love, as his love will show things people would never think possible. Emotion is attached to the heart. If we were robots, then I would safely say that emotion will have no meaning. will have no effect, will have no say in the matter at all. But God gave us all free will, its down to us really to try full understand God's meaning of love, heart, and feelings and emotions. and how they all interlink to one thing. were it all comes from, the heart. its a spiritual battle that we people are having to understand it.

 

[Angelique]

Love is an emotion and God has called us to love Him with all our heart, mind and strength and love our neighbour as our selves??.. I'm thinking all is not excessive when it comes to emotions.

 

[tribesman]

No love without emotions. Emotions are important and I can not see in scripture that it would be something that God wants to withhold from us. What is often taught, and rightly so, is that we must always trust the Word of God more than our emotions, since emotions can lead us astray.

 

[Richie_2uk]

No love without emotions. Emotions are important and I can not see in scripture that it would be something that God wants to withhold from us. What is often taught, and rightly so, is that we must always trust the Word of God more than our emotions, since emotions can lead us astray.

Were does emotion come from? from the heart right? God made us to have heart, God created us to have heart. and therfore emotions, feelings, and other senses all come from one thing that God has given us. a heart. yes emotions can cause grieve, can cause one to be lead astray. But its how we manage emotion. and for us to manage it and use it rightly, we have to learn and understand it. because we have a heart whether we like it or not, so why not try understand the meanings of what god has given us.

 

[crossnote]

Who told you that?
That would be impossible to show no emotion. Not only that, we were not made that way. So....

Mr. Spock told him.

 

[Least]

Mr. Spock told him.

Ha ha ha...that one almost went over my head. lol

Actually it was a Christian who told me this. Not only one but have heard it from a few.

 

[notuptome]

It is a common reaction to excessive and fake emotion associated with Pentecostalism. It is also a malady in the old line denominational churches. I've heard them referred to as the frozen chosen.

If a person can look upon the scene of the cross and Christ and not be moved emotionally then I fear they have received the heart of a reprobate but even these react with hate most of the time.

Scripture says to rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice. Sounds like genuine emotion to me.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[Gandalf]

Tell that person to blow it out of his ear because Jesus cried, he laughed and he was scared…

 

[crossnote]

Tell that person to blow it out of his ear because Jesus cried, he laughed and he was scared…

Scared?...Or did you mean He cared?

 

[Least]

Were does emotion come from? from the heart right? God made us to have heart, God created us to have heart. and therfore emotions, feelings, and other senses all come from one thing that God has given us. a heart. yes emotions can cause grieve, can cause one to be lead astray. But its how we manage emotion. and for us to manage it and use it rightly, we have to learn and understand it. because we have a heart whether we like it or not, so why not try understand the meanings of what god has given us.

You know, I'm starting to see it in that same way.

I was looking at a verse yesterday in Psalms 16.

Psalms 16:7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

You know how easy it is to come to our own conclusions at times when reading scriptures? I've always associated, "reins," with being yoked in Christ. The bible talks about people being taken out of the yoke of bondage, so there's more than one kind of yoke, being in bondage, or being made free in Christ.

So I considered that the "reins," were part of being directed, like an oxen with a yoke, the reins directed it.

But I looked up the meaning of the word, in that verse, and it says this:

"Reins,"

03629 // hylk // kilyah // kil-yaw' // or (plural)
// twylk //

from 03627 (only pl.); TWOT - 983a; n f pl

AV - kidneys 18, reins 13; 31

1) kidneys
1a) of physical organ (lit.)
1b) of seat of emotion and affection (fig.)
1c) of sacrificial animals
2) (TWOT) reins

(This also brings to mind the foreshadow of offerings where the Kidneys of the offering were burnt upon the alter.)

Exodus 29:13 And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul that is above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and burn them upon the altar.
Exodus 29:14 But the flesh of the bullock, and his skin, and his dung, shalt thou burn with fire without the camp: it is a sin offering.

It's had me considering the rule of Christ and the headship over us in Him.

If we get offended, that takes our minds off of Christ. We can stew in that emotion, and not get it under check, and the end result would be that the flesh ruled and sin was the result.

Like Cain:

Genesis 4:6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
Genesis 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

Cain let the resentment rule, and slew Abel.

Could it be that we are even tested and proved by how we deal with emotions?

I agree with you, that it goes much deeper and there's a lot to consider.

But its how we manage emotion. and for us to manage it and use it rightly, we have to learn and understand it.

I've gotta get going for the day.

Thank you all for your responses hope to discuss more later.

 

[JesusIsAll]

Love is an emotion and God has called us to love Him with all our heart, mind and strength and love our neighbour as our selves??.. I'm thinking all is not excessive when it comes to emotions.

We are emotional beings, made this way by our good Creator. While not knowing what this thread is really about by the OP, as nobody, saint or sinner, is devoid of emotion and alive, there is one aspect of emotionalism that is bad: mistaking the emotional for spiritual.

Adrian Rogers very well pointed of "God doesn't do His deepest work in our shallowest parts." One can't read the Bible and see a tenor of emotionalism, as some preachers whip up the crowd, or denominations rolling on the floor, or in some babbling chaos, or the frenzy of "Christian rock" in that seeker friendly church pumping up the crowd: this is not necessarily, even not likely, true spirituality. The greatest love can be a cold, hard reality not pleasant, suffering for somebody else, a matter of strength and courage, soberly standing on truth and morality, not feel good things, important doctrine intellectually assimilated in our minds and hearts, in a sane and sober fashion. Our Lord Jesus and His apostles preached from the mind of Christ, not trying to whip up emotional states in the crowd, rather the goal to impart truths.

So, I'd have to agree with Adrian Rogers that being whipped into emotional frenzies in a church service is not likely to advance one's spiritual state on a longer term, as learning more of God's word will. I find these preachers you see on TV, going into emotional frenzies, yelling and stomping around, or raucous, so-called services, shameful and repulsive even, especially when the end result is to get people in an emotional state where the hook is to pick their pockets, like carnival barkers. Somebody would have to show me carnival barker type preaching in the Bible, where, to the contrary, it states things are even to be done with order.

Whatever the case, emotions can also be a purely fleshly manifestation akin to having a good time, deceptive, in terms of true spirituality.

1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

 

[oyster67]

I currently attend a very conservative fundamental church, and I to have heard many messages in which emotions are spoken of in a negative fashion. I believe some of the speakers have good intentions. Some are simply saying that we must still believe in the sun even when it is covered by clouds and we cannot feel it's warmth. We must not be dependent on emotions and feelings to stay the course. But I also know that a dark and austere asceticism has crept in as well. I hear much said about how our lives must consist of faith rather than feeling. I would personally rather think that if one really believes what the good Book has to say, then one cannot help but be overflowing with the emotion of joy. I believe that this is a good thing, a healthy thing, and a very important part of retaining ones sanity in cold, hard and cruel world.

 

[Gandalf]

Scared?...Or did you mean He cared?

No crossnote scared. Jesus was afraid in the garden of Gethsemane before he died on the cross my friend. He knew what was coming… Read Psalm 22 and you will see that He knew.

 

[Least]

No crossnote scared. Jesus was afraid in the garden of Gethsemane before he died on the cross my friend. He knew what was coming… Read Psalm 22 and you will see that He knew.

Luke 22:41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
Luke 22:43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
Luke 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Trying to find words to say here. Words cannot express this moment. How precious our savior is.