Sermon on How Easy Emotions Can Be Manipulated With No Evidence of Proof
What does the bible say about emotions and feelings? As believers, we are called to live by faith and not our emotions. And yet, so many of us choose to live by something else; our feelings.
Have you ever made a decision because it simply felt right at the time? Have you ever said something because it felt like the perfect moment? I know I have. Lots of times.
Emotions are at the core of our motivation: they are why we continue on with life even in the face of disappointment or disaster. You may know many emotional people, and you may be one yourself. Being emotional is not a bad thing.
And knowing what triggers happy emotions in us is equally as important as knowing what triggers negative emotions.
What does the bible say about emotions and feelings? Let us take a look below.
What Does The Bible Say About Emotions And Feelings
What does the bible say about feelings? Every single one of us has experienced a burst of emotion. It can be triggered by a moment of intense excitement, or it can come from a deep and overwhelming sadness. We can become consumed by our feelings, and we may stop thinking logically. Emotion can be a very powerful thing, but it can also be a dangerous thing. When we let our feelings control us, we may sometimes start to believe that our feelings are facts.
Are our feelings facts?
Feelings and emotions are apart of us; they can be very uplifting, motivational and fun and yet very dark, broken and sometimes evil.
But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity,idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions,envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Galatians 5:16-24
Do you ever find yourself being pulled by your feelings? Living by faith, by the spirit, is so important to our peace and happiness. God promises to give us peace beyond our understanding. When we live by faith, then we can have that peace. When we live by faith, knowing what the bible says about feelings, we are allowing God to guide us. We are living for God and by his promises and not living by a rollercoaster of emotions.
Emotions In The Bible
Emotions can be funny things. They allow us to feel and experience life in ways that we would not otherwise be able to. But they can also be dangerous and destructive, especially when they are not properly managed. We can use our emotions as tools to help us make decisions in life, but for the most part, we need to let God lead us.
What does the bible say about emotions?
The Bible talks a lot about emotions. In fact, the way that God designed us is to have emotions. Emotions are a big part of what makes us who we are. The Bible tells us that God created us in His image and that has a lot to do with our emotions. But the Bible also tells us that we need to control our emotions and not allow them to control us.
Let's look at some Bible verses on emotions below.
Our emotions can often betray us; the negative and harmful traits are part of our fallen nature. However, this does not mean that we should allow them to control our thoughts and actions. Rather, being aware of the fact that we naturally act upon how we feel is enough to help keep on track with what is actually true. Remember: emotions can be good, but if not careful they can sometimes lead us in the wrong direction, in other words – they try to trick us into thinking that certain situations are a way for us to go. That's why Paul wrote in Romans 6:12 "don't let sin run your life".
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.
Romans 6:12
What Does The Bible Say About Feelings
The Bible is filled with stories of people who made some very poor decisions based on their emotions.
- Jonah ran away from God and found himself in the belly of a whale.
- Samson let his raging emotions get the best of him and lost his strength and his eyesight.
- David allowed his feelings of lust and desire to lead him to commit adultery and murder.
However, these stories are not examples of how we should live. The Bible is filled with stories of heroic faith. Of people who followed God even when they were scared, sad or angry. God's Word is filled with examples of people who put their feelings aside, followed God's leading and trusted Him in difficult times.
Just because I may feel useless, hopeless, unlovable, and worthless doesn't mean I am. This might seem obvious to some, but emotions can be convincing.
Recognize feelings for what they are: feelings; not facts, not the truth, not edicts.
What Does The Bible Say About Emotions?
Living by the spirit and not allowing our emotions to lead us can be complicated to tackle.
Our feelings can change at the drop of a hat, the tune of a song, or the embrace of a friend. Can we trust our own feelings, allowing them to guide our decisions if they are so quickly changing?
Are they something to rule our lives? Are they something that should guide our decisions? Let's see what the Bible says bout emotions.
"It's not foreign to God for humans to have emotions in life, as Jesus famously wept in John 11:35 over the death of His friend Lazarus (who He later brought back to life). The Bible also regularly shares about when God and Jesus were angered by what people did on earth.
However, what does the Bible say about our emotions, primarily how best to handle those feelings we have in ways that are pleasing to God as well as to ourselves?
It is possible to manage these emotions God has gifted us in these bodies. But it is through understanding what emotions are and how we should act with that we are able to manage these unpredictable sensations properly." Bible Study Tools
Scripture On Managing Our Emotions
What does the bible say about emotions and feelings? Emotions are a complex thing. The bible recognizes that emotions are an important part of our functioning as humans, but we shouldn't be lead by our emotions.
Scripture on emotions can be found throughout the bible. For example, Psalm 62:8 is a verse that's often used to encourage people when they are feeling down. In the book of Proverbs, the author writes about various things that cause people to be happy or sad. Even Jesus shows us that God is concerned about our emotions in John 16:20-21.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
This verse sets our minds and hearts to ease as it reminds us to lean on God when anxiousness tries to settle in to our lives.
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. -Proverbs 16:32
This is a great example of how God wants us to deal with emotions, specifically anger.
Want more bible verses on emotions? I wrote a 30 day scripture writing plan (bible reading plan) on Scriptures for Emotions. If you're wanting to know what does the Bible say about emotions that's the the bible reading plan for you.
Why did God give us our emotions?
Emotions in the Bible. In Proverbs 28:26 it tells us if we trust in our hearts we are fools. Proverbs 12:15 says the way of the fool is right in his own eyes.
God gave us our feelings and emotions for a reason. Living by faith doesn't mean we ignore them. They are not evil by themselves, but what we allow our thoughts to dwell on may be negative and causing an unhealthy overload of negative emotions.
Our feelings can be, at times, scary, confusing, and even dangerous to our health. Strong, evil emotions may lead to adultery, abusive behaviors, stealing, and other evils.
At other times they may be full of love, happiness, joy, and peace.
"Sharing our feelings with others is helpful in managing emotions. The Christian life is not meant to be lived alone. God has given us the gift of other believers who can share our burdens and whose burdens we share (Romans 12; Galatians 6:1–10; 2 Corinthians 1:3–5; Hebrews 3:13).
Fellow believers can also remind us of God's truth and offer a new perspective. When we are feeling discouraged or afraid, we can benefit from the encouragement, exhortation, and reassurance other believers provide. Often, when we encourage others, we ourselves are encouraged. Likewise, when we are joyful, our joy usually increases when we share it". – Got Questions
Are Feelings Reliable
I don't believe God intended for our feelings to guide us. He wants that job. God wants to be our guide. Our feelings should not be what drives our decisions, but rather an indicator of what's going on inside us. We must put our trust in what God says and check our feelings at the door with the Word of God.
Living by the spirit means allowing God to be our guide and not our emotions.
Not allowing our decisions to be the drive behind us, but the pursuit of Christ and His truth be what we base our decision making against.
In the Christian worldview, feelings are often seen as unreliable and an obstacle to our relationship with God. The story of the prodigal son is one such example. The prodigal son had feelings of resentment, which he acted on. He left his father and squandered his inheritance.
What is the basis of a Christian's decisions? Shat does the bible say about emotions? The Bible tells us that if we let our feelings lead us they may lead us to sin, but the Bible should be our guide to living God's way. The Bible is the only way to know God and live for him. (The answer to the question, "Are feelings reliable?" is "no," because humans have a sinful nature.)
Bible Verses About Emotions
It will be in our best interest if we learn how to handle our feelings by responding well. Let's try to remember Philippians 4:8 and 2 Corinthians 10:5 when dealing with my feelings and thought process.
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Philippians 4:8 KJV
"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."
2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV
Sometimes I can't help the way I feel, but I can help how I react to those feelings. I can submit them to God and His will for my life. Choosing to respond in a way that is based on God's truth for my life and the situation. By doing that I'm honoring God. Intentionally putting faith over my feelings.
There is a bible verse or bible story for what you are feeling or going through. Search the scriptures, renew your mind by reading God's word, and choose to let what God's word says to guide you.
If you are searching for emotions in the Bible, you can start with the verses above.
Living By Faith Not Feelings
Our thoughts are what trigger our feelings. Our feelings are very real but can be based or triggered by a negative, overthinking, thought process instead of the truth.
When we find ourselves going through a hard time and the walls are closing in with no light at the end of the tunnel. Anxiety. Fear. Grief. Anger. All those emotions can be overwhelming. Crashing in on us. Those are the moments when God reminds us to not be afraid, focus on His truth, and rest in Him.
How do you recover from a life marked by Fear? Overwhelmed by emotions? Prayer and God's Word. Together it's like dynamite, destroying the strongholds the enemy hangs heavy on our necks.
Living By Faith
Jesus, God in the flesh, experienced a wide range of emotions during his 33 years on this earth. Scripture tells us what He felt and experienced, specifically, during his three-year public ministry. And while we might tend to think that being unemotional means being more spiritual or Spirit-controlled, Scripture clearly shows that Jesus exercised a healthy amount of emotion and self-control. –Crosswalk
We know that He is "near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit" (Ps. 34:18). We can cast all our anxieties on Him because we are assured that He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
Standing in the Truth of God as broken and emotional people, remembering that God made our emotions and gives us a time to mourn and laugh. Recognizing them and submitting them one by one to Christ is the moving forward in a way that honors God.
Living by Faith and truly believing what the Bible says is what will transform our thought process and therefore help to keep our feelings in check and standing firm in our faith.
Your rest is coming. Sooner than you know you will receive your "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading inheritance" (1 Peter 1:4). And when it comes you will understand why your faith was more precious than gold (1 Peter 1:7). This is where Peter wants your hope to fully rest. – Desiring God
"Even difficult emotions reflect reality and can move us to a better place. Feelings mirror the pain and suffering in our lives. Imagine losing a close friend or a beloved family member and feeling no grief or loss. What if you hurt someone you love but felt no remorse or shame? Imagine getting fired or failing a test and feeling no disappointment. It might sound nice to do without these painful feelings, but none of us can deny that emotions give meaning and depth to our lives. Often the emotions we most wish we could avoid propel us in a new and better direction. Without emotions, life would be a colorless canvas, boring and bland." – Crossway
Emotions are a good and gracious gift to every man and woman created in the image of God. We just need to deal with them and respond to them in a healthy, biblical way to honor God.
How do you live by faith?
- Receive the gift of faith in God for salvation.
- Spur one another onward in love and good deeds.
- Make it a priority to maintain your faith and hope in Christ.
- Be at church every week.
- Make time to read your Bible.
- Get close to God by feeding the hungry.
- Be persistent in our belief.
- Learn what the Bible says about emotions.
Need Help Processing Your Negative Thoughts?
Do you struggle with negative thinking? Did you know your thoughts will often-times dictate your feelings and emotions? To overcome negative thoughts we must pause, pray, and plan. Check out my workbook and list of ways to overcome negative thoughts with God by your side! Click HERE.
Use this mini study on what the Bible says about emotions and feelings.
Need help focusing during your prayer time?
Are you distracted in your prayer and bible study time? Are you needing a guided prayer journal to help you stay focused? Do you enjoy scripture writing? Wanting to journal through those hard times, grieving, and anxiety? This 25 page, beautifully designed printable Coffee & Jesus prayer journal is just what you need!
This prayer journal, along with the Bible verses on emotions above, will help you learn what the Bible says about emotions.
Grab these free printable scripture cards!
Here are more articles on Living by Faith that you may enjoy.
Daily Affirmations of God's Love – A healing practice taught by some counselors and pastors is to speak Biblical affirmations to yourself. Allowing God's love to show you who you are in Christ. And I agree with them. I believe these Christian words of affirmations, spoken daily, may help get what we know in our heads down into our hearts.
What is Scripture Writing and How to Get Started – What is Scripture writing? It doesn't have to be fancy or complicated. Scripture writing is simply writing out bible verses and reflecting on the words as you write. Scripture Writing can help you grow in your faith.
Do Not Be Afraid Scripture Writing – How do you overcome fear biblically? Grab this list of bible verses to help you get started in recovering from a life marked by fear.
Ways to Deal With Fear – Grab these 4 tips and bible verses on how to deal with fear in a healthy way.
The Bible Never Ignores Our Feelings
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