We Are Emotional Creatures

God created us with emotions. We rejoice, we grieve, we feel anger, peace, fear, affection, and sorrow. Scripture itself is filled with emotion—look at the Psalms, the tears of Jesus (John 11:35), or Paul’s pastoral affection for the Philippians (Philippians 1:8).

In our emotionally driven culture, however, many have come to trust feelings as if they were truth. “Follow your heart” has become the motto of the age. That raises an important question: What role should feelings actually play in the Christian life?

Emotions Are Good—But Not Final

Emotions are not the enemy. They reflect what we love, what we fear, and what we value. They can be God-honoring responses to truth. Yet emotions are also not infallible guides.

Jeremiah 17:9 warns us, “The heart is deceitful above all things.” Our feelings are easily swayed, often distorted, and sometimes misleading. That is why they must be shaped, corrected, and submitted to the Word of God—not the other way around.

Emotions are best understood as indicators, not navigators. They show us what is going on inside, but they should not be given the driver’s seat.

When Emotions Are Aligned with Truth

The healthiest emotions are those that flow out of God’s truth. Scripture teaches us to feel:

• Joy in Christ’s salvation (Psalm 51:12)
• Grief over sin (2 Corinthians 7:10)
• Peace from trusting God (Isaiah 26:3)
• Zeal for God’s glory (John 2:17)

These emotions cannot be manufactured by sheer willpower. They are cultivated as the Spirit applies the Word of God to our hearts, shaping our desires and directing our affections.

When Feelings Mislead

At the same time, we must admit that emotions often contradict truth. Consider just a few examples:

• Feeling guilty after repentance—even though Christ has forgiven us
• Fearing people instead of fearing the Lord
• Growing angry at God rather than trusting His sovereignty
• Loving sin instead of hating evil

When this happens, we shouldn’t simply suppress or deny our emotions. Instead, we must preach the gospel to ourselves and renew our minds through Scripture (Romans 12:2). God’s Word reorients our feelings, showing us where our hearts have drifted and bringing us back to the anchor of truth.

Faith > Feelings

Faith is steadier than feelings. Emotions fluctuate; faith clings to Christ. David models this in Psalm 42:11:

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? … Hope in God.”

David did not deny his emotions—he directed them. He acknowledged his sorrow, yet he commanded his soul to trust the Lord. This is Christian maturity: not ignoring emotions, but submitting them to God’s truth.

Final Thoughts

Feelings matter. They are part of being human, and when ordered rightly under Christ, they enrich our walk with Him. But feelings make poor masters. The Christian life is not led by emotions but by faith in the unchanging promises of God.

So feel deeply—but think biblically. Rejoice in salvation. Grieve over sin. Hope in Christ. And let your emotions follow your theology, not replace it.

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