Have you ever met someone that seems to have no emotions? Probably not. For we all have them, even when we don’t what them. Some of us hide them well and others seem to explode without warning. In fact, many of us have had “that” bad day or moment for sure. I know I have. The reality is being human comes with emotions. The good, the bad, and the ugly. We, as the Imago Dei (Image of God), come packed with emotions. But, did you know feelings are not “evil” in and of themselves? I know right? We seem to have come to a cross road as post-modern western churches where we are all about feelings or all about the quenching of feelings. Both extremes are not healthy. You see, God created us in His image and gave us feelings in order to connect with Himself and with each other in loving community. We are not saved in order to be dead inside.
However, our emotions, especially anger, from time to time get quickly out of hand if we are not mindful. We should keep our feelings in humble submission to the God who loves us and gave Himself for us. For unlike God (who is perfect in all His ways), we as Christians still wrestle with and fight against our flesh and can lose our cool in person or online. Both are wrong in the sight of our God. James warns us by saying; “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (James 1:19–20) Paul says; “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:26–27) When we let our feeling go free, especially anger, we can invite opportunity for the devil and sin.
How do we do this? You know, keep the “feelings” thing in check. Choose to lead your heart. Do not let your heart lead you. When you are all stirred up or feeling strongly about something in your heart, remember; “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? ‘I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” (Jeremiah 17:9–10) So next time – and there will always be a next time – stop and take a beat to seek the heart of the God.