Emotional Christianity

[LightningClap0002]

So, I'll admit up front that I don't really have a clear direction on this topic. It's something that has crossed my mind on and off since my teens, but I never really addressed it. A friend recently shared a video with me that brought it back to the forefront.

This video is of "Jesus showing up" at an event hosted by Oprah Winfrey. It all seemed so superficial. I don't intend to judge, as I know at least some are definitely born again christians; that said, the vast majority of people in attendance were not. And yet they were touched emotionally by the experience and instantly it was portrayed as a spiritual event.

Throughout middle school and high school, I was very active in my churches youth group. We would take trips a couple of times a year to youth events. There was always some great bands that would get everyone hyped up and a powerful speaker to both convict and encourage everyone there. Everyone at the events were at such an emotional high point, and yet not even a day or two later many(even true christians), would be right back into their normal routine again.

Also while I was younger, I attended a christian summer camp almost every year. I remember on several occassions they spoke about the roller coaster that it is to be a christian. One day walking hand in hand, then turning your back and running in the opposite direction. I always wondered, does christianity really have to be such a roller coaster? I knew that I was definitely on it. I was getting my highs, and falling into deep lows.

Emotions clearly play a role in our relationship with God, but how much of that is beneficial? Do the emotional highs become like a spiritiual sprint that leaves us too tired to even walk after only a short time? Is it beneficial to "convert" people to Christ during such an emotional high? Are altar calls during such an experience really useful and beneficial? It's quite an experience, and even knowing that it was happening, I have found myself wrapped up in it. Do people come to associate these emotional experiences with the Holy Spirit dwelling in a place? Emotions seem so fleeting, is it wise to build yours (or help build someone else's) relationship with God upon such a fleeting thing? Or are the emotions just a catalyst, the bump that is needed to get going and then can safely be replaced by a more firm foundation?

Anyone have any other examples of "spiritual" emotional highs? Were they truly beneficial? What are your thoughts?

 

[Liamson]

I grew up in an environment where people would go from one church to another chasing an emotional high. My mother would try and find some hole in the wall church because they had people laying down all over the place during worship and crying and all kinds of stuff. These people were always chasing the idea of a "Revival" coming soon. The whole enchilada didn't sit well with me.

My relationship with God doesn't have very much to do with emotion at all. I think emotion doesn't play well into the avoidance of sin and the pursuit of righteousness. I think if we are basing our faith on the presence or absence of an emotional verification, we are setting ourselves up for failure.

I think the emotions that we should feel and experience are the fruit of the spirit. Love Joy Peace Patience Goodness Kindness Faithfulness Gentleness and Self Control.

 

[Ritter]

If anything I only started to grow in Christ when I stopped attending events like the ones you mention. True worship is living as He wants us to live. You cannot find this out by going to convention after convention.

Emotions are not intrinsically bad. We have to approach God on an emotional level as well as intellectual level. Going too far one way or another clouds judgement.

 

[hhhlga89]

I share alot of sentiments with Laimson. We should, however, recognize the different personalities that Christians have and realize they play alot into their experience with God. Some people are emotional people, some (such as myself) aren't. I have never been the type to cry and shout during worship, some are, but I don't see them as having a better walk then I have. I do, however, see them as having something I want; I want to weep and shout for Christ at times, but I want it to be real and not superficial reaction to music and/or vague thoughts. My mom has worship at our house and my 2 sisters who aren't saved (and know it) raise their hands and pray out loud, yet don't know God. I don't do that stuff at all, yet I do know God. Knowing more about God's love and grace, etc will draw us to emotion though, guess I have never gone that far with God. But some people do that who know nothing of these things at all.

 

[NodMyHeadLikeYeah]

I know this guy, his name is Mark. He is the director of a minsitry here in my area. I've known him for about 5 years now. He has often prayed for me, very simple to the point, powerful prayers.
About two months ago Mark had asked me if he could hold one of his ministry's prayer meetings in my house. I said sure because i love to pray, and i love to pray with other people.

Mark brings over his ministry team (people i had never met before) and they all start to pray in my living room. After a few minutes Mark starts convulsing, jumping up and down screaming JESUS JESUS JESUS... then the ministry team follow's suit.. It was total chaos! All five of them are jumping up and down laughing hysterically, there acting like there about to fall over they look like there having seizures, there yelling screaming. It was the most bazar thing.
However there was this one guy from marks ministry team and myself who were not acting like this at all, yet we were all praying and all in the same meeting.

Now why was it that only 5 were affected this way, but we were all in the same meeting??? Were me and this man just not "spiritual enough?''
My opinion is a lot of christianity is over acted, from praying to praise and worship. It's this big crying touchy feely fest.
I'm not saying its not ok to get emotional, but to let those feelings rule a relationship... that's where it all falls out of balance.

People that let feelings run their life will always fade and fizzle very quickly, it's the ones that are slow, steady and stick to it no matter what that win the race.

 

[Oncefallen]

I think there needs to be a definite balance. I remember the emotional altar calls after a week of summer camp and the decisions made that were discarded by most within days of returning home (surprised I can remember that far back). Likewise I've been to some of these churches where it almost seems like the whole service is designed around eliciting huge emotional responses, and walked away feeling like the whole thing was fake.

Then again, if our faith does not ever reach into our innermost being and arouse some emotion I think there is a problem too.

 

[Ugly]

I know this guy, his name is Mark. He is the director of a minsitry here in my area. I've known him for about 5 years now. He has often prayed for me, very simple to the point, powerful prayers.
About two months ago Mark had asked me if he could hold one of his ministry's prayer meetings in my house. I said sure because i love to pray, and i love to pray with other people.

Mark brings over his ministry team (people i had never met before) and they all start to pray in my living room. After a few minutes Mark starts convulsing, jumping up and down screaming JESUS JESUS JESUS... then the ministry team follow's suit.. It was total chaos! All five of them are jumping up and down laughing hysterically, there acting like there about to fall over they look like there having seizures, there yelling screaming. It was the most bazar thing.
However there was this one guy from marks ministry team and myself who were not acting like this at all, yet we were all praying and all in the same meeting.

Now why was it that only 5 were affected this way, but we were all in the same meeting??? Were me and this man just not "spiritual enough?''
My opinion is a lot of christianity is over acted, from praying to praise and worship. It's this big crying touchy feely fest.
I'm not saying its not ok to get emotional, but to let those feelings rule a relationship... that's where it all falls out of balance.

People that let feelings run their life will always fade and fizzle very quickly, it's the ones that are slow, steady and stick to it no matter what that win the race.

This sounds like remnants leftover from that Brownsville 'Revival' years ago. People were barking. laughing, running, rolling around on the floor, making animal noises, etc.. People were told to leave their bibles at home. Finding old videos you can hear how creepy and evil it sounded.

Course this act is identical to some eastern religious ceremonies, such as in Tibet. The people come together in large groups singing and bowing. The end up laughing or in trances or making animal noises. In some cases this is to them discover their 'animal spirit'.

 

[LightningClap0002]

I know this guy, his name is Mark. He is the director of a minsitry here in my area. I've known him for about 5 years now. He has often prayed for me, very simple to the point, powerful prayers.
About two months ago Mark had asked me if he could hold one of his ministry's prayer meetings in my house. I said sure because i love to pray, and i love to pray with other people.

Mark brings over his ministry team (people i had never met before) and they all start to pray in my living room. After a few minutes Mark starts convulsing, jumping up and down screaming JESUS JESUS JESUS... then the ministry team follow's suit.. It was total chaos! All five of them are jumping up and down laughing hysterically, there acting like there about to fall over they look like there having seizures, there yelling screaming. It was the most bazar thing.
However there was this one guy from marks ministry team and myself who were not acting like this at all, yet we were all praying and all in the same meeting.

Now why was it that only 5 were affected this way, but we were all in the same meeting??? Were me and this man just not "spiritual enough?''
My opinion is a lot of christianity is over acted, from praying to praise and worship. It's this big crying touchy feely fest.
I'm not saying its not ok to get emotional, but to let those feelings rule a relationship... that's where it all falls out of balance.

People that let feelings run their life will always fade and fizzle very quickly, it's the ones that are slow, steady and stick to it no matter what that win the race.

Yeah, thanks for helping me figure out what I was meaning.

Though I have my doubts about physical (and speech) manifestations of God, I guess I was thinking a little less "out there." I was just thinking of those things that make you feel "good" while you're there. Those things that make you feel "holy" or "on fire" for God in the moment.

A lot of what's been posted creeps me out in truth.

 

[simplyme_bekah]

Well I from personal experience stop focusing on people. If you are constantly looking to other human beings for guidance on what a Christian should be no wonder you are so emotionally strung out. The thing about God is that when you turn your eyes on him and only him and you stop caring how other people act or are or do or say and you focus all of your attention on him and his will and your relationship with him he gives you the answers that you seek. A relationship develops between you and him to where he really teaches you his wisdom and his truth and his knowledge and he takes you to a place that is so far out of what a human being would expect that you are forever changed inside of your soul and mind. You just know things that are not from you. He becomes your teacher. When you pray up to him....please make my will your will for my life/I surrender all of me to you/I lay at your feet my past, my present and my future/I acknowledge you as my savior and as my King and as my God/Please will you share your knowledge and wisdom with me/will you please help me, teach me, guide me to live my life as you would Jesus.....you know that stuff.....well....its simple. He does. Try taking this to him more then to other people. Each person is at a different walk, on a different chapter then you are with God. He has all the answers you could ever need. God bless and I know you will find the answers that you seek if only you ask the right one

 

[simplyme_bekah]

oh yes, I also wanted to say that we are all human living in a sinful fallen world. We are going to fall on our butt and sin often because we are human and live in a fallen world. God uses those times to draw us closer to him and to make us realize that we need HIM to forgive our sins and to help us on this path called life. There is no such thing as perfection in a human being. The only thing we can do is spend our life trying to be perfect in Christ and we are not alone in that either, he is there holding our hand helping us along the way if you are his child. We are human. Its by Gods grace that we are forgiven and by his grace that if we are his children we learn from those mistakes and grow into a better person because of them with his guidance. so any time you look to human beings who are God's children and expect to see perfection its not gonna happen cause we are human. You have to accept that each child of God is at different parts in their growth as a child of God. He is the one who changes you, us, me to be more like him. Not us. We were born with wildly wicket hearts. Another thing to pray and ask for is a pure heart, a humble disposition and spirit, ask God to help you to not think higher of yourself then you should. Every day lay pride, vanity, dishonesty, arrogance, basically all the crap that trips a human being up at his feet. hope this helped.

 

[Jullianna]

Anytime the heart plays a role in anything, emotions will be involved. However, we are to be controlled by the Spirit per scripture, not our emotions, and remember that our God has much to say about order.

While we know from 2 Samuel 6 (posted below) that we need to be VERY careful about making comments or assumptions regarding the worship practices of others, we ALSO know from Lev 10 that we are to offer PURE fire, HOLY fire before the Lord in worship, not some fake emotional thing we stir up ourselves, but praise and worship born deep within the heart lit by the Spirit in full understanding of the precious treasure we have living within us.

My Pastor and I talk about this all the time. It's so important not to lead christians to believe that life will be a total emotional high filled with flowers and butterflies once they come to Christ. The christian life is TOUGH. Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) If we aren't honest with them up front, they are likely to crash and burn, as Lightning said, and likely feel that we misled them. It happens in youth ministries time and time again.

It's not about emotional rollercoasters. Like the verse in my signature, it's about pressing on in the race faithfully with the full knowledge that, whether we FEEL it or not, we belong to Him, that He is with us, that He has overcome the world and is faithful to complete the work He began in us.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2 SAMUEL 6:16 As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart.

17 They brought the ark of the Lord and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and David sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before the Lord. 18 After he had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord Almighty. 19 Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each person in the whole crowd of Israelites, both men and women. And all the people went to their homes.

20 When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!”

21 David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord. 22 I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.”

23 And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LEV 10:1-3 Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command. 2 So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. 3 Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke of when he said:

“‘Among those who approach me
I will be proved holy;
in the sight of all the people
I will be honored. ’”
Aaron remained silent.

 

[Crossfire]

If we're not supposed to allow our emotions to mingle with our faith then how do you explain the following passage of scripture?

Galatians 5:22-25 (HCSB)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit.

At least half of the fruits (evidences) of the indwelling Holy Spirit are emotions.

While I do realize that the majority of this conversation seems to be about hyper spiritualism, I just wanted to point out that, according to scripture, it is impossible to separate our emotions entirely from our faith seeing as we have faith in and serve a God who describes himself as LOVE.

 

[LightningClap0002]

Anytime the heart plays a role in anything, emotions will be involved. However, we are to be controlled by the Spirit per scripture, not our emotions, and remember that our God has much to say about order.

While we know from 2 Samuel 6 (posted below) that we need to be VERY careful about making comments or assumptions regarding the worship practices of others, we ALSO know from Lev 10 that we are to offer PURE fire, HOLY fire before the Lord in worship, not some fake emotional thing we stir up ourselves, but praise and worship born deep within the heart lit by the Spirit in full understanding of the precious treasure we have living within us.

My Pastor and I talk about this all the time. It's so important not to lead christians to believe that life will be a total emotional high filled with flowers and butterflies once they come to Christ. The christian life is TOUGH. Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) If we aren't honest with them up front, they are likely to crash and burn, as Lightning said, and likely feel that we misled them. It happens in youth ministries time and time again.

It's not about emotional rollercoasters. Like the verse in my signature, it's about pressing on in the race faithfully with the full knowledge that, whether we FEEL it or not, we belong to Him, that He is with us, that He has overcome the world and is faithful to complete the work He began in us.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2 SAMUEL 6:16 As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart.

17 They brought the ark of the Lord and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and David sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before the Lord. 18 After he had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord Almighty. 19 Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each person in the whole crowd of Israelites, both men and women. And all the people went to their homes.

20 When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!”

21 David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord. 22 I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.”

23 And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LEV 10:1-3 Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command. 2 So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. 3 Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke of when he said:

“‘Among those who approach me
I will be proved holy;
in the sight of all the people
I will be honored. ’”
Aaron remained silent.

Thanks! I appreciate some new(and very fitting) verses being brought up.

If we're not supposed to allow our emotions to mingle with our faith then how do you explain the following passage of scripture?

At least half of the fruits (evidences) of the indwelling Holy Spirit are emotions.

While I do realize that the majority of this conversation seems to be about hyper spiritualism, I just wanted to point out that, according to scripture, it is impossible to separate our emotions entirely from our faith seeing as we have faith in and serve a God who describes himself as LOVE.

I'm sorry, which of those did you think were emotions?

 

[NodMyHeadLikeYeah]

This sounds like remnants leftover from that Brownsville 'Revival' years ago. People were barking. laughing, running, rolling around on the floor, making animal noises, etc.. People were told to leave their bibles at home. Finding old videos you can hear how creepy and evil it sounded.

Course this act is identical to some eastern religious ceremonies, such as in Tibet. The people come together in large groups singing and bowing. The end up laughing or in trances or making animal noises. In some cases this is to them discover their 'animal spirit'.

This is exactly what my dad said when i told him about the whole thing!

 

[Crossfire]

This sounds like remnants leftover from that Brownsville 'Revival' years ago. People were barking. laughing, running, rolling around on the floor, making animal noises, etc.. People were told to leave their bibles at home. Finding old videos you can hear how creepy and evil it sounded.

Course this act is identical to some eastern religious ceremonies, such as in Tibet. The people come together in large groups singing and bowing. The end up laughing or in trances or making animal noises. In some cases this is to them discover their 'animal spirit'.

Hmmm.... I watched many of Brownsville videos for myself and never saw such animalistic behavior. However, such behavior was said to have taken place in Toronto although I've never watched any of the videos to know whether or not the accusations are true.

As far the accusation of the Brownsville leaders telling people to leave their bibles at home, are you aware that several of the leaders of that movement have doctorate degrees in both Hebrew & Greek and are widely considered to be some of today's leading authorities on biblical appologetics? What degree does your pastor have, if any at all?

We really should not comment on something we really know very little to nothing about. Just because you watched a 3 minute "video" cut and produced by an opponent of the Brownsville Revival does not mean you have it all figured out. It's no different from someone pulling various scripture out of it's intended context then attempting to formulate their own doctrine from a couple of isolated scriptures.

Scripture says that we will give an account of every idle word and you will answer for the above post. Don't you think that you owe it to God and yourself to make sure you have your facts straight before making such comments?

 

[Oncefallen]

If we're not supposed to allow our emotions to mingle with our faith then how do you explain the following passage of scripture?

At least half of the fruits (evidences) of the indwelling Holy Spirit are emotions.

While I do realize that the majority of this conversation seems to be about hyper spiritualism, I just wanted to point out that, according to scripture, it is impossible to separate our emotions entirely from our faith seeing as we have faith in and serve a God who describes himself as LOVE.

I haven't seen anyone here say that we shouldn't allow our emotions to mingle with our faith, just voice concern over those people who's faith is over emotionalized. I think that most people here would say that emotions are a good thing, as long as they don't rule our lives. All too many people seem to base their faith on experience and the emotions raised during that experience instead of the Word of God.

Emotions can be a very dangerous thing and even lead us in to sin if we don't pay attention to them. I had read through this thread this morning before I left for church, and it was interesting that the pastor told of a recent experience that shows this. My pastor just got back from vacation, and when they got home they found that their home had been burglarized while they were away. He talked about all the emotions he felt when they realized what had happened and most of them, if acted on, would have been sin. He talked about how after the initial shock wore down he and his family prayed for the thief, not that he would get caught and end up in jail, but that he would end up finding Christ.

Many of the instructions we have in the NT go against "normal" human emotion. We are instructed to love our enemies and forgive those who wrong us, not if we "feel" like it, just do it.

2nd Cor 10:4-5 In the Greek lends to the idea of taking down strongholds and fortresses that are raised up against God's knowledge (including those within ourselves) and forcing every thought (the word used for thought includes the whole mind, including emotions that drive thoughts) to be obedient to Christ.

I'm not trying to say that we as christians should become non-emotional beings, but that we need to be very cautious of where we let our emotions lead us.

 

[Crossfire]

I haven't seen anyone here say that we shouldn't allow our emotions to mingle with our faith, just voice concern over those people who's faith is over emotionalized. I think that most people here would say that emotions are a good thing, as long as they don't rule our lives. All too many people seem to base their faith on experience and the emotions raised during that experience instead of the Word of God.

Emotions can be a very dangerous thing and even lead us in to sin if we don't pay attention to them. I had read through this thread this morning before I left for church, and it was interesting that the pastor told of a recent experience that shows this. My pastor just got back from vacation, and when they got home they found that their home had been burglarized while they were away. He talked about all the emotions he felt when they realized what had happened and most of them, if acted on, would have been sin. He talked about how after the initial shock wore down he and his family prayed for the thief, not that he would get caught and end up in jail, but that he would end up finding Christ.

Many of the instructions we have in the NT go against "normal" human emotion. We are instructed to love our enemies and forgive those who wrong us, not if we "feel" like it, just do it.

2nd Cor 10:4-5 In the Greek lends to the idea of taking down strongholds and fortresses that are raised up against God's knowledge (including those within ourselves) and forcing every thought (the word used for thought includes the whole mind, including emotions that drive thoughts) to be obedient to Christ.

I'm not trying to say that we as christians should become non-emotional beings, but that we need to be very cautious of where we let our emotions lead us.

I completely agree. I was merely stating that it is impossible to somehow separate our emotions from our every day lives.

The reason why I mentioned Galatians 5 is that this chapter reveals to us the works (evidences, end result) of the flesh and the fruit (also evidences, end result) of walking in the Spirit. Notice how emotions are the secondary consequence of our state whether it be carnal or spiritual. Thus, we are called "to walk by faith and not by sight". In other words, our mindset (spiritual conditioning) must dictate our feelings despite our surroundings rather than allowing our surroundings to dictate our mindset which only results in carnal outbursts.

 

[GreenNnice]

The real question--all this having been read--is who controls your life. Do you say when something is going to be done or do you let Him lead your life and, thus, the balance of that emotional control, who has it--you or God-- will show up, emotionally, into your personal relationship witn God. Whether it is outwardly or inwardly shown does not matter, but that your emotionalism (worship) shows up, in some way, be it great or small, there surely MUST be signs of your faith shown Him, we are ALWAYS to do WHATEVER we do for the glory of God. Do not judge others for their outward signs of faith,.only ask and pray to God for why they are acting like they are. And God will let you know.

 

[Ugly]

We really should not comment on something we really know very little to nothing about. Just because you watched a 3 minute "video" cut and produced by an opponent of the Brownsville Revival does not mean you have it all figured out.

I find this rather funny, warning me against judging based off of almost no exposure to the facts. But yet, you are being a hypocrite. You make an assumption that because i mentioned a video thats all the knowledge i have on the situation. I actually have looked more into it than 'one three minute video'. You don't want me to comment on 'something we really know very little to nothing about'. Yet you just commented on my knowledge of a topic that YOU ''really know very little or nothing about'. Perhaps you should try taking your own advice before assuming i, or anyone else, doesn't know things. Just because i didn't write a full page complete with references doesn't mean i'm clueless. Think before you speak next time.

 

[GreenNnice]

I haven't seen anyone here say that we shouldn't allow our emotions to mingle with our faith, just voice concern over those people who's faith is over emotionalized. I think that most people here would say that emotions are a good thing, as long as they don't rule our lives. All too many people seem to base their faith on experience and the emotions raised during that experience instead of the Word of God.

Emotions can be a very dangerous thing and even lead us in to sin if we don't pay attention to them. I had read through this thread this morning before I left for church, and it was interesting that the pastor told of a recent experience that shows this. My pastor just got back from vacation, and when they got home they found that their home had been burglarized while they were away. He talked about all the emotions he felt when they realized what had happened and most of them, if acted on, would have been sin. He talked about how after the initial shock wore down he and his family prayed for the thief, not that he would get caught and end up in jail, but that he would end up finding Christ.

Many of the instructions we have in the NT go against "normal" human emotion. We are instructed to love our enemies and forgive those who wrong us, not if we "feel" like it, just do it.

2nd Cor 10:4-5 In the Greek lends to the idea of taking down strongholds and fortresses that are raised up against God's knowledge (including those within ourselves) and forcing every thought (the word used for thought includes the whole mind, including emotions that drive thoughts) to be obedient to Christ.

I'm not trying to say that we as christians should become non-emotional beings, but that we need to be very cautious of where we let our emotions lead us.

Yes, I recently had someone rob me of a bunch of my warehouse stuff-$$ of dollars, not chump change-and, I did not dwell on it though Satan wanted me too. I pray for blood of Christ protection over my stuff often because not around it and although a good sized place its in a area with reputation for stealing. So,.if I get stolen from, and, same thing happened 3 years ago, I immediately try to give it to God.. It is hard not to feel victimized but with God ALL things are possible and since I.keep my nicest merchandise in storage places I am thankful I was not had that stuff stolen.
I.thank God for my life all.The time, and, as a christian, we should keep.our emotions in check and 'not let the sun go down on our anger,' it makes weakness in us and The Enemy loves weakness and, in fact, a verse after the 'anger' one in this, Ephesians 5, is don't let 'The Devil' in .

Good post, lightnin, Christ bro, and, thread, I will say this too, I am pentecostal and I let the Spirit lead but I do not go amongst aisles in my church and not many do out of The 3 services of 2000+ people each Service, but one lady does dance around like ballet. I don't voice concern to her because the Lord leads me, and, I do not do anything but support her, for it is not something of me to judge. And, IF we judge others, especially fellow brothers, sisters, doesn't that bring anger to.your mind ?

And, just to say, too, maybe the Lord would lead you to tell people to calm down if being too radical for Jesus, I think it just best to pray about the situation you are concerned over, ss this would be casting our cares on Him, and, if you know the rest of this verse in think it's 2 Peter, it goes, 'for He cares for you.'