Bible Discussion Thread

What does God say about emotions

Interesting question. There is the verse "be angry but don't let the sun down on your anger" ( Ephesians 4:26). This basically means not to harbor grudges; and have righteous indignation. The laundry list of BAD fruits ( 1 Cor. 3:3; Gal. 5:19). Later on in that same chapter; Paul brings up the GOOD fruits; these would include love, joy and peace, kindness; patience etc. Only joy may be considered to be an emotion; so that it would appear emotions generally are not helpful as controlling agents in our lives. True joy comes from the Lord; we can have this in the midst of persecution; and we are asked to be this way when we are persecuted.

( Luke 6:22-23). We are; in fact to be "happy". Now; there are only 3 options for this; we are sadists and like suffering; or we are lying in saying this; or we are living in the Spirit. We are told to "rejoice when others rejoice; weep when others weep." ( Rom. 12:15). This has to do with aligning our will with obedience in serving the Body of Christ.

In general; when we look at the behaviors of all unregenerate men shown in scripture; we see the downfall due to emotions getting the better of people. We; of course have Christ who showed compassion; and on at least 2 occasions he ransacked the Temple due to jealousy for the House of Prayer which was made a den of thieves. This was prophesied in Jeremiah 7:11 and listed as an event in 3 of the Gospel accounts. We also see God laughing at the calamity of the wicked ( Psalm 2 and repeated in several other passages). God has been shown in scripture with seemingly impulsive anger in Exodus when Moses acted to intercede His wiping out all of Israel; and yet He held to the Covenants made with them. He returns to judge in Armageddon; as prophesied in Isaiah 63:3 He tramples the winepress in fury and anger. God's wrath against the wicked is ongoing; continual and eternal for the unregenerate. We do well to live for His Kingdom and conform our emotions accordingly.

Emotions r very normal , some r beneficial like love and joy etc . Some can lead us into trouble if we allow them to dominate us . For me , one of the best things about the Bible is that it's full of very human people . Foolish vulnerable sinners , just like us . Reading about their trials and tribulations we can learn how their faith in God's love and mercy helped to get them through their problems . We are all different on here , different lifestyles and even beliefs . One thing we all have in common is pain . Pain that has been inflicted on us in many different ways by this world and the things that pertain to it . It's good for us to share our pain with each other , it's helps us to connect with each other on a deeper level . Not always easy but for sure , it's worth it . Give it a go sometime . Share your pain with a fellow Christian . If u can't share it with a fellow Christian who can u share it with ? God of course . He gives us to each other for very good reasons , we can help each other if we r prepared to take a chance now and again .

Bring every thought captive unto the obedience of Christ