The Truth About Emotions

2 TRUTHS ABOUT EMOTIONS:

1 . Emotions are God-Given

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. —Genesis 1:27

Zephaniah 3:17
Psalm 7:11
Psalm 135:14

17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. —Colossians 1:17-20

2 . Emotions have Purpose

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. —Romans 12:11

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. —2 Corinthians 1:3-5

26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. —Ephesians 4:26-27

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, —Ephesians 5:15–18

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. —Galatians 5:22-25

4 LIES ABOUT EMOTIONS:

1) My feelings are the real me.
- “I feel, therefore I am.”

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. —2 Corinthians 5:17

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. —Proverbs 4:23

2) My feelings reflect reality.
- “I feel, therefore it’s true.”

7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. 8 They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” 9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? —Jeremiah 17:7-9

3) I must listen to, express, and obey my feelings.
- “I feel, therefore I must act.”

Hey -
Say -
Pray -
Obey -

4) Others must understand, accept, and validate my feelings.
- “I feel, therefore you must accommodate them.”

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” —John 8:31-32

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. —Hebrews 4:13