Don't let the devil or your own feelings deceive you!

Our feelings and emotions require a sound mind that is stirred up by the Spirit of God.

Read Second Timothy 1:6-7, Psalm 42:11, and Matthew 6:33

Emotions - Literally, a moving of the mind or soul; hence, any agitation of mind or excitement of sensibility. Our feelings and passions.

2 Timothy 1:6-7 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Timothy may have been experiencing some negative emotions, especially fear. Paul was in prison, and Timothy was facing persecution. Timothy was in Ephesus on behalf of Paul overseeing matters there. He was about to lose his mentor. He has been dependent upon Paul’s leadership. Paul desires that Timothy get stirred up emotionally with the positive emotions which include the fruit of the Spirit. If Timothy is fearful, downcast and depressed, he won’t be the ambassador for Christ that he needs to be.

Emotions are part of our being, and God created good emotions like love, joy and happiness for our good. God is full of goodness and pleasure. Other emotions as fear, anger, resentment, bitterness, disgust and sorrow entered after Adam and Eve sinned. Our emotions cannot be separated from our mind and will. We often define our soul as our mind, will and emotions. Another term in the Bible for our soul is our heart. Especially in the Old Testament the word spirit sometimes is used interchangeably with soul.

Our emotions are greatly influenced by what we are thinking about and what we believe to be true. If we believe something to be true, even if in fact it is not true, our emotions will kick in. According to Romans 12:3 we are to think soberly. If our thinking is sound and true, then the proper emotions will follow. If our thinking is not sound, then improper emotions will follow. 1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

One of the strongest emotions we have is the desire for pleasure and happiness. We must be careful to not allow this or other emotions to control us. Many times, we make decisions based on our emotions and not on sound reasoning. We make a decision based on our emotions, then we rationalize the decision with illogical reasoning that seems reasonable to us. Our emotions are difficult to control. Often, they control us. This is wrong. We must be strong in the Lord and use good judgment that comes from God. Proverbs 16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

Many times our emotions are ignited by false assumptions and lies.

·     We believe lies that others tell us. Proverbs 28:25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat. Proverbs 18:8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

·     We believe lies we tell ourselves. Psalms 73:21-22 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins [emotions]. So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

·     We believe the devil’s lies. John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

These lies can be very dangerous, because ultimately they blame God, implying He is not being a good God. In fact, most negative emotions are a result of a lack of true faith, true confidence in God and His innate goodness. It is unbelief.

We must also be careful for what we give God praise for. If all is going well, and we say God is good because of my good health, a new car and a nice house and kids that are doing well, then what do we say if we lose it all like Job did? We should thank God for His gifts to us, but God is good whether or not I have the best things of life.