Faith And Emotions (Part One)

Unsaved or unhealed emotions can disrupt faith and belief. Unless they are healed and become subject to the Holy Spirit, they will greatly influence or even dictate the direction of a person’s life. There is a tendency for some to believe what their emotions tell them more than what the Word of God says. They have a propensity to believe what they feel is true over what actually is true. Emotions influence the way people perceive things, especially in the negative sense when they are damaged. Emotions that are not subject to the Spirit would have people believe that God does not love them. They drown them in the sea of unworthiness and smother them with hopelessness. However, the Father extended His love to us through Jesus Christ. He has given us the grace to receive healing, so our emotions will actually align with their purposes.

Emotions are designed for us to experience life and our relationship with God to the fullest. They are in place to serve us; and not us being slaves to them. When the emotions are in alignment with their purpose, they can work as tools in the hands of the Lord. They serve as indicators by letting us know whether things are right or wrong. Similar to the different gauges to help the driver know the condition of his car. There is a fuel gauge to let him know if he has enough fuel to reach his destination, and a speedometer to help navigate at the proper speed. Of course, there is the “Check Engine” light to let him know something is not right with the heart of the car. Our emotions can also serve to let us know if we are operating correctly. They can warn us of impending danger. Emotions will help us know if we are stepping out of the will of God or if we are at the center of it. They can tell us if we are right with Him. For example, peace is a great indicator of whether we are in good standing and if we are in His perfect will.

Another aspect of emotions is that they can serve as tools for ministering to others. They work in conjunction with a Word of knowledge and fit in with the discerning of spirits (see 1Corinthians 12:7-11). The Holy Spirit can actually use them to discern what another person is experiencing. For example, one may be at perfect peace, only to suddenly feel fearful or anxious. There is no apparent reason for it, since there is no existing circumstance or event to cause a disruption of peace. What he discovers is that is what the person to whom he ministering is experiencing. Upon discernment, peace returns. Not everyone is quick to express what he feels. In fact, some try to mask their emotions; especially the ones they feel may be “inappropriate.” They label some “good” and others as “bad.” Therefore, they will stuff them and deny their existence. In the process, they become enslaved to them and fail to experience the true freedom God intended for them to have. One of the biggest steps to freedom is acknowledging what is there. With the Holy Spirit’s direction, one may be able to help another to freedom.

For the most part, emotions are neutral. They are not good or evil; they just are. The way we interact with them will determine what affect they have in our lives. For example, the Word says, “Be ye angry, and sin not . . .” (Ephesians 4:26, KJV). That means anger, in of itself, is not the problem. We get into trouble when we allow anger to speak for us. While we will not address it here, the reason we become angry might be a consideration as well. When it overrides love, it can lead us to sin. Another example would be sadness. Sadness is part of the mourning process people go through when they suffer loss. When a person refuses to be comforted as part of the process, it can turn into depression. When people do not properly mourn and receive comfort at the end, sadness can take over their lives. Denying what we feel gives our emotions power over our lives. The reason that some experience deep sadness or depression at certain times of the year is because they failed to mourn and be comforted when a loss took place. They either did not know how to mourn or were unaware for the need to mourn. When they discover the reason for the depression and have a proper cry (how ever long necessary), they will be able to be comforted by the Holy Spirit as well. Once that happens, they will experience freedom from depression. A good cry is not a sign that a person has lost control; rather, it is a means to gain control over the emotions. It releases the pain. Unreleased pain has power to inflict more damage.

As there are a number of emotions we experience, there a re a number of ways to interact with them. When they are out of control, they can become our worst enemies. The can also be used against us by the enemy of our souls. Even though out of control emotions can make it seem as if the devil is attacking us, usually he is not the problem. When they are fully under the influence of the Holy Spirit, life becomes richer.   There are a number of areas to address in relation to our emotions and how they affect our walk with God. Therefore, this subject will continue in the next blog.

John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed (KJV). John 14:16-18 And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; Whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you (KJV). 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (KJV).

www.perfectfaith.org