Applying God's Word: Emotions or Reason

Do you allow your emotions or reason to rule in the decision making process? “a complex and usually strong subjective response...part of the consciousness that involves feeling or sensibility ‘a choice determined by emotion rather than reason” (American Heritage Dictionary) Reason- “the intellectual process of seeking truth or knowledge by inferring from either fact or logic” (AHD)

If our choices are determined by our emotions, we will sin and die. Do you allow your emotions or reason to rule in the decision making process? If our choices are determined by our emotions, we will sin and die. (Proverbs 14:12; James 1:13-16) But God wants everyone to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3-4) Our reason must rule over our emotions based on God’s word or we will suffer the eternal consequences.

Those Who Allowed Emotion to Rule Eve ate the forbidden fruit. (Genesis 3:6) Cain became very angry and killed Abel. (Genesis 4:8) Lot’s wife looked back toward Sodom. (Genesis 19:17) David commited adultery with Bathsheba. (2 Sam. 11:2f)

Those Who Allowed Emotion to Rule The Man of God believed the lie of the older prophet. (1 Kings 13:18) Uzzah touched the ark. (1 Chronicles 13:10) Saul persecuted Christians. (Acts 26:9ff)

God Had Spoken- They Should Have Allowed Their Intellect to Rule (Acts 17:11) Eve knew if she ate it she would die. (Genesis 3:2-3) God told Cain to do what was right and control his anger. (Genesis 4:7) Lot’s wife had been commanded not to look back. (Genesis 19:17) In his passion, David forgot about the command. (Exodus 20:14)

God Had Spoken- They Should Have Allowed Their Intellect to Rule (Acts 17:11) Man of God had obeyed God’s command earlier, so he knew not to believe the old prophet. (1 Kings 13:16ff) Uzzah and the rest of the Israelites had forgotten God’s command to carry the ark of the covenant on the Levites shoulders rather than on a new cart. (1 Chronicles 15:13-15) Saul thought he was offering service to God but he was wrong. (John 16:2; Acts 23:1)

We Must Conform Ourselves to the Standard of God’s Word Feelings have become “god” to many just as in the time of the Judges when “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25) “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2)

We Must Conform Ourselves to the Standard of God’s Word “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32) “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)

We Must Conform Ourselves to the Standard of God’s Word Don’t say in Bible studies, “I think” “I feel” “I can justify” “I can imagine” “in my view” but instead say “the Bible says” “the Scripture teaches”

The Danger of Using Emotions as a Standard They are deceptive. “There is a way which seems right to a man but its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12) It can persuade you to think that you are OK, even when you are sinning against God, as we noted with the Bible examples. If you believe a lie you will be condemned, even though your conscience doesn’t bother you. (2 Thessalonians 2:10f)

The Danger of Using Emotions as a Standard If you think you are religious but don’t bridle your tongue, your religion is vain (James 1:26) It can prevent you from doing good if you don’t keep your anger under control or if you show partiality. (James 1:19; 1 Timothy 5:21)

Applying God’s Word: Emotion vs. Reason If it feels right I’ll do it or if God said it, I’ll do it. (Titus 2:11-12) Worship at the church of your choice or worship God in spirit and truth at the church of God’s choice? (John 4:23-24; Matthew 16:18) Just accept Christ as your personal Savior or obey Him as Lord and Savior. (Luke 6:46; Hebrews 5:8-9)

Emotions Are Good Only if They are in Harmony with the Truth Our godly sorrow should lead us to repent of our sins. (2 Corinthians 7:10; Acts 8:22) After confessing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and being baptized in water in obedience to the gospel, the Ethiopian eunuch went on his way rejoicing. (Acts 8:35-38)

Emotions Are Good Only if They are in Harmony with the Truth It should make us angry enough to rebuke sin. (Psalms 119:104; Ephesians 5:11) But it should also motivate us to save lost souls. (Luke 19:10; 2 Timothy 2:24-26)

We can be wrong, even if we feel strongly about it! (Remember Paul) Conclusion Do you allow your emotions or reason (in response to commands from God) to rule? Many feel they are saved without baptism, but the Bible teaches it is necessary for salvation. (Acts 2:37-38; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21) We can be wrong, even if we feel strongly about it! (Remember Paul) Many believers will argue with Jesus on the Judgment Day but they didn’t do what He said. Will you? (Matthew 7:21-23)