Emotions

[Gigiloveslife]

@Sue D.

Thanks for sharing so openly. I appreciate that. It sounds like it was a very tough marriage at times. I can appreciate the strength and grace God gave you both to stick it out. I'm so glad he is healed fully.

I had come to a place in my marriage where I accepted that we would never have an intimate relationship with sharing from our hearts. He is just not capable of that at this time. It is a long story, but somewhere after I fully accepted that and surrendered that to God, God started literally unveiling my eyes to see the ways that my husband manipulated me and lied to me. So, in my case (not that I feel you were putting me on the defensive at all, but just wanted to share this), it was not just him being emotionally shut down, but he would lie and accuse me of being crazy when I addressed it, stonewall me for days if I brought up any concerns to him, etc. For years, I would apologize to smooth over the arguments and make things right until God started showing me his manipulation. Add to that his extreme ogling of women when we went in public and my spirit was crushed at the end - that he never cared about my feelings or hurt was just further crushing.

I was certainly never the perfect marriage partner. But, you have to have two willing people to have a real marriage and have trust. There was no trust in the end, based on his many lies (he had lied to me from the beginning of our relationship about an issue which he finally admitted to six months after we separated - 25 years later). Even with that lie, I remember being so confused because I knew what I had seen. He accused me of paranoia for years whenever I brought that up. And then finally admitted to it - without any sense of actual remorse about what he'd done, though. Emotional abuse is an interesting thing, what it can do to your mind and psyche - it has been a journey the last couple of years to learn to trust that my eyes and ears do work very well, as well as my gut instincts, and I'm quite normal and not crazy.

I never thought I'd be divorced, much less seek a divorce as a born-again Christian. I was convinced that all marriages could be healed if the wife just did all the right things - you know, focus on fitness and outward beauty, provide sex as needed, submit always with hardly a voice in important matters and serve her husband. I was basically a doormat and God has been stripping me of all of these wrong ways I was viewing scripture and the wife's role in a marriage for so many years. I've become convinced that God would never want a woman or man to stay in an emotionally, psychologically or physically abusive marriage. After wrestling with many verses and Scripture, God changed the way I viewed passages that spoke about divorce.

On the other end of that, I firmly believe that God can lead each person differently in those kinds of situations. My mom felt strongly that God was calling her to stay in her marriage to my dad. My dad treated my mom similarly through the years (behind closed doors, the kids were never really aware). But I think seeing her struggle with a lot of bitterness (and lots of health problems/fibromyalgia) towards him which ended up angering a lot of us kids also helped me make the decision I did for myself. I did not want to hate my husband and be bitter towards him and I knew that that was where I was going to land if I stayed in the marriage. Because he wanted me to act like all was well, continue to have physical intimacy, etc. without addressing any of the issues. I also believe that God has clearly told me that my husband will be saved one day, but that what is happening in our lives is necessary and will put him on the road to that day - probably many years down the road. (Lots of things I have heard God say to me in my spirit and confirm in different ways, I could probably write a book on all of this!)

I guess you and I are both in situations we never saw coming. So thankful that our God is faithful and gives us everything we need for everything He calls us to. And that one day, all of it will make sense -- I will share a quote with you that really struck me during my heavy grief:

“I can still believe that a day comes for all of us, however far off it may be, when we shall understand; when these tragedies, that now blacken and darken the very air of heaven for us, will sink into their places in a scheme so august, so magnificent, so joyful, that we shall laugh for wonder and delight.” –Arthur Christopher Bacon

I pray that God continues to heal you and bring you through this season of grief. I know His presence will be so evident to you. Big hugs to you. Take care of yourself during this time and take the time you need to process and grieve (yes, tears are so healing!)

 

[Gigiloveslife]

I do understand your conversation and view in life. You haven’t experienced the things i've been talking about in my posts; and you don't seem to desire the peace that I talk about, therefore, I know you do not see where I’m coming from. That doesn’t make you more or less in Christ and it doesn’t make me more or less in Christ; but two different beliefs based on the benefits in Christ and the experiences. That's okay because we’re living for Christ; learning how to love one-another.

Please do not take this wrong, it’s just an example of two different ways of looking at life. As you know when Jesus was talking to the Pharisees and Sadducees they didn’t see eye to eye; but someone was benefiting. What you’re speaking, you’re speaking because you understand your position and how you’ve married the natures of good and evil into one and you’re good with it. That is something I can no longer do. I’ve done it for many years before I understood Christ; and many more after, so you know what I’ve been through emotionally; because it’s what you go through today.

I appreciate the spirit of your posts and that you are not accusatory and I can tell that you are coming from a place of love. So, thank you for that. At times when you post, I think maybe we agree more than we can see through these comments and at other times, I think we are way off. But, I love that there can still be unity among brothers and sisters in Christ even when they are disagreeing. That is rare and something I value very much.

I absolutely totally disagree with you that I've married the natures of good and evil into one. All I can think to say to that is that Jesus Christ Himself, by your standards, also did the same since He also became angry, grieved, wrestled with God's will in the Garden before his crucifixion and on and on (and the world will see the fullness of His wrath one day) and so I strongly disagree with you and personally think that you are the one who needs some of your theology to be adjusted. Pretty sure I'm not going to be the one who is helping you to do that, but I do trust that God will bring you to a place of truth on this issue in His time. And again, I doubt God booted Satan out of heaven along with his army of fallen angels in a stoic, non-emotional way.

But, let me give you an example of one way I deal with my emotions. At the beginning of this year, my husband informed me that he was separating our joint accounts and that I would be on my own. I hadn't been on my own financially ever - I was married when I was 19 and went from being with my parents to being married. My husband had also handled all the finances all that time. I experienced some major anxiety for several days. Could not process how I was going to be able to make it, etc., etc. I can almost feel myself getting panicky thinking about those few days. In the end, I realized that God has never, ever let me down and He was my Provider. He would see me through and lead me every step. Somehow, He just gave me the grace to grasp that fully by faith after a few days and now, if a worry starts to come up, I can quickly get back to that place of remembering that God will provide all I need and that even if things don't look perfectly in that area, He has good plans for me.

Ok, let's talk about grief now. I grieved my marriage for a good 14 months or so. I had to let go of a dream - the dream of my family being together always. Among other things that I needed to grieve (like knowing I was lied to for many years with no care for my heart). During that grief which was very real and hard, I always had a deep inner peace that God is in control, that He has a plan for me and will make beauty out of these ashes one day. That has consistently always been there, even during the grief. I remember one time crashing through my bedroom door to fall on my face to cry (because I had been holding it in to protect my children while we were out running errands). As I fell down and began to weep, I heard God say to me "Don't be ashamed of your tears." My belief is that I could grieve it now or I could grieve it later and I chose the present. Like Paul said about grieving those who have passed away, I just think our grief as Christians is different. We still grieve, but we have the hope and peace deep down that makes that grieving look entirely different than a non-believer.

Anyway, brother -- it's been a good conversation where we haven't changed each others' views but I do want to assure you that I do know and experience the peace of God and that when I don't, it is because I have taken my eyes off of Him and put them on the situation. I think (?) we would both agree that that is something we grow in as we mature as believers and as Christ is more and more formed in us. However, I still maintain that strong emotions are not wrong and that even when my eyes are on Christ and I have peace, I can also still have a sense of grief or righteous anger. A pastor I love puts it this way - we will all experience our soulish emotions flapping in the wind but it is not wrong to have them, but it is wrong to let them define us or to dictate to us what to do. We are defined only by who we are in Christ and we get our directions from the Spirit, not from our emotions.

 

[regibassman57]

The trial of what you went through is a challenging event, but you confessed the most important thing you could when you said. “I realized that God has never, ever let me down and He was my Provider.” I mean, you confessed everything that God would have us confess. Quote: “If a worry starts to come up, I can quickly get back to that place of remembering that God will provide all I need and that even if things don't look perfectly in that area, He has good plans for me.” (satan puts these thoughts in your mind; worry is fear)

However, "YOU" casted down every imagination and high thing that tried to exalt itself against the knowledge of God in you; and "YOU" brought into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2Corithians 10:5) This is what God is saying when He’s telling us, He’s given “us” the power over, the “thoughts, emotions and any other spiritual high thing that exalts itself against His knowledge. But it’s our responsibility to believe and exercise it. This ability is all through His Grace.

This inner peace you speak of which God is in control, its because God loves His children and is in the fire with us, but He did not created the fire. We have an adversary that hates God’s children and he ignites how we feel internally. God comforts us in all our tribulations that we may be able to comfort others. I’ve been there, but am in a different place. As you said, I’m coming from a place of love; yes, and it's been hard learned. And if you think I did it myself, I got some land for you

I’m not saying be ashamed of your tear, I’m saying don’t stay on vacation. We have to do exactly what you said earlier and cast down satan once you feel his entry; just like you did when worry presented itself. This is why Jesus said watch and pray so you don't enter into temptation. You are waching in your spirit and protecting your peace; just like when you saw worry come, you sprang into action.

I realize we have peace in spirit, but God said He would give us peace in spirit and mind; heart and soul, So just like you’ve cast down imaginations, continue go forward and broaden your scope. There’s more in God’s word for you.

 

[regibassman57]

Hey Gigiloveslife,

I would like to touch on the marriage analogy between Adam/man and Jesus.

When Adam sinned, he became married to the nature of sin. This is what made him a sinner and every other man that was born in the flesh (Rom 5:12). Before we were married to Christ, we were married to the sin nature. Once we came to Jesus, we divorced the sin nature and married into Christ, which is the Righteous nature (Romans 7:1-4; Romans 11:24).

Rom 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, you also are become dead to the law (of sin) by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another (Jesus Christ), even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Jesus courted the sin nature, but only in the likeness of sinful flesh to identify with man’s plight, and though Jesus was tempted by the nature of good and evil just like us, He never sinned. He did become very intimate with the sinful nature, more than you and I, when every man’s sins were placed on Him and God left Him. He was in spiritual adultery; even though He did not sin. God treated Jesus as if He did sin, and it was done on our behalf.

Mat 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Though Jesus was on the cross, GOD remained stoic, it was His purpose and He knew Jesus could not fail (Isa 42:4). There is no pain in God, He is not the one who sinned and is suffering emotionally. Fallen man suffers, and does not fully know who he is because the god of this world has blinded our minds from who we truly are (2Corinthians 4:4); so God is not the one who needs pain and suffering taken away; fallen man does. This is why at the end of the day, God will take all suffering away from all that believe.

Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

We must remember, God cannot be tempted by Satan or man and suffer in any way.(James 1:13:14). Satan tempts us through how we “feel.” This is only because Satan’s kingdoms, spiritually, harasses us (Ephesians 6:12). The devil has the right to harass this body after Adam’s sin (Romans 7:23); and God allows it. God was allowing what Paul went through only because if we are obedient to God’s word, we can learn to handle it. Also, the law that Paul is talking about is an emotional temptation from Satan that he feels through the struggle happening in his body. After Paul learned a bit, he rejocied in tribulations (2Corinthians 8:9, 10).

I think we should keep in mind that temptations are emotional and I’m sure you can attest to this given the trials you’ve gone through; but I never said trials were sin.

Adam and Eve did not experience this struggle until after they sinned (Genesis 3:9, 10, 11). Adam and Eve were not tempted they before sinned; they were deceived; at least Eve was (1Ti 2:14). Adam and Eve were holy vessels and Satan did not have the right to their inner souls because God was their guardian. Temptation did not happen until after Adam sinned. This is when Satan entered Adam/man and took possession. This is where the marriage of sin/Satan took place.

When Jesus came, He came in the fleshly nature of fallen man with the ability to be tempted. Though Jesus could be tempted, He could not be deceived. This is because He was the word of God made flesh (John 1:14). So Jesus could be tempted, but He could not be deceived. Adam and Eve could be deceived but they could not be tempted. Satan could not cause them to feel emotionally anything until after they sinned. After sin the first thing Adam experience where emotions are concerned is fear (Genesis 3:9, 10)

 

[regibassman57]

How you doing today Gigiloveslife ,

I wrote this because of your justification of "Righteous Anger" hoping to give more insight on the subject.

Righteous Anger is emotional. The person feeling this emotion does not allow the feeling of emotion to overcome their rational understanding of God's word in any situation.

Jesus acted in Righteous anger when He kicked the people out of the temple for defiling it, making it a house of merchandise (John 2:13-17). While Moses on the other hand did not act in Righteous anger when he struck the rock out of his frustration with the people who wanted water, causing him to forfeit his entry into the Promise land; the land of Canaan (Deu. 32:52).

Both actions were motivated by emotion. One was overcome by his emotion which distorted his thought process, while the other did not allow the spirit of emotion to overcome his righteous sense. One sinned while the other pleased His Father. Both were tempted showing that the emotion was coming from the same camp. God does not tempt any man (James 1:13, 14)

Just because a person claims to be Righteous does not exempt them from the carnal warfare; the mind is free game spiritually. A person acting in righteous anger is spiritually fighting inwardly, keeping themselves from being taken over by the emotion. This happens with any other negative emotion that affects a person; Christian or non-Christian. The spiritual warfare is common to man in-general. This is why God tells us as believers, there is no "temptation taken you except what is common to man (1Corinthians 10:13). There is no respect of persons emotionally.

This again is why God commands us to bring our minds into subjection by casting down imaginations. These imaginations are ungodly thoughts and pictures in our minds which causes us to experience passionate emotional feelings mentally, that interferes with our rational judgment. This also blinds us from what we've known of God's commands, and what they've taught us to do in our times of temptation.

Jesus went to the cross to condemn anger; not righteous anger. There was no spirit of righteous anger created in man when he was first created. The righteousness of the experience and how we as believers handle the situation is the reason it's termed "Righteous anger." This term was created by man and mainly used for Old Covenant believers before Jesus Christ came and crucified Satan's character on the cross. Satan's character is in unbelievers as well as believers. What is important to understand is, if unbelievers and believers have the same characteristics, and the believer is justifying the unbeliever’s character emotionally; how is the believers character different than the unbelievers character. Doesn't the believer have a new character in Christ and the old has passed away; "all" have become new (2Corinthians 5:17)?

Romans 6:6
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Christ, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin (as in Satan's influence).

Ephesians 4:22
That you put off concerning the former behavior of the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

Colossians 3:9
Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds;

Eph 4:31 Let "all" bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

(Notice it said, "ALL" anger); leaving no room for justification of any anger.

Righteous anger should not be justified under the new covenant. If a person becomes angry, God's grace is sufficient for that believer until they've learn to put the anger off. We as believers has been declared righteous apart from the law and sin, through Grace, Though we may get angry, it does not negate our righteousness in the person of Chrsit..

If a believer becomes emotionally angered, and kills a person out of emotional rage, that person will have consequences in this life; and if that person does not repent from the spirit of anger, that person will have their place in line for ice water, (that's only in their imagination), because they will be condemned. Anger is not the character of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23).

If you play with fire you will get burnt. Why justify any other character that is contrary to the Fruit of the Spirit.

Ephesians 5:9
For the fruit of the Spirit is in "all" goodness and righteousness and truth;
Ephesians 5:10
Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

 

[Gigiloveslife]

@regibassman57

I think I am understanding more where you are coming from. I am intrigued but not convinced that somehow we can get to a neutral place of feeling no negative emotions while on this earth.

Can you share how this is worked out in your life and how long you have walked in this revelation? (maybe as it relates more to negative emotions)

Can you share about a struggle or stronghold in your life and how you apply this revelation to that struggle and what that looks like? (for instance, if you struggle with laziness or not using time wisely or something like that....how would this look in your life)

Sincerely curious -

 

[regibassman57]

Hey Gigiloveslife,

I think it's a beautiful thing that we've come from that great divide which was initially causing confusion; but because neither you or I allowed ourselves to fall into the hands of Satan's emotional influence, and react to feelings of frustration, we are closer to understanding the full picture through God's word. As you said before, it's coming from love, and this is what God is presenting to us; with all the possibilities.

The only convincing that you need is what God's word tells us, whether you understand it or not. The first thing we've been told upon coming to Christ is; "the just shall live by faith." I believe I've presented very powerful and compelling information, according to God's word, but you could not relate to them through your natural understanding, it was foreign to you. And we know I was not presenting my own wisdom.

Scripture tells us, the natural man does not understand the things of the Spirit of God, neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned (1Corinthians 2:14).

The thing we all must understand is, instead of rejecting the information we 100% know is coming from God's word, we should meditate on it a minute, and give the Spirit time to open our understanding up to His own words; instead of out right rejecting it because it makes no initial sense. We must call those things which, literally, are not as though they were; and work towards them (Romans 4:17).

Abraham had to believe he could have a son with a barren woman; "IMPOSSIBLE" naturally thinking; but Abraham was willing take that chance. Anytime a person says, "I'm a take a chance," that's ghetto style for "I'm going to walk by faith." faith is the key.

Mark 9:23
Jesus said unto him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believe.

Gig, that neutral place you were speaking of is in the character of the fruit of God's Spirit; which God has "PROMISED" us; and we know He cannot lie. If we walk in His Spirit, God is telling us to be convinced, because it's possible and will happen if your faithful in your belief, and faithful in resistance to those things the devil is going to throw at you (James 4:7).

Galatians 5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and you "shall not"fulfill the lust of the flesh.

This is a promise to everyone that is willing to believe by faith. "SHALL NOT FULFILL.". However, faith without works is dead (James 2:20).

James 2:19
Thou believest that there is one God; you do well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
James 2:20
But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

James 1:22
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

And yes, I will share some of my experiences with you as we talk, but I know if you do not believe what God's word says, then you most likely will not believe me. I have gone through many things in life, and I would call myself a fool knowling what I know now.

 

[Gigiloveslife]

I can consent to the Bible being 100% true and inspired, but, brother, just because you have an interpretation about something doesn't mean that you have the correct one necessarily. I am intrigued by what you are sharing and I believe the Bible to be 100% true. If you want to share your experiences and how God has led you to the things you believe now, that's great. If not, that's fine, too.

As you believe you have presented very powerful and compelling information from the Bible, I also believe that I have done the same with you. (Funny how that works among believers with differing views, right?)

I can assure you, I have been on the side of "presenting truth" to others, only to coming to a place, years later, where I realized that I was wrong and God's Spirit showed me something different. So, I have become very hesitant to offer my views on certain things as coming from a place of "I have this great knowledge that you haven't figured out and I am doing you a favor of telling you how it really is." To be honest, this is how you are coming across with certain statements to me.

I say that only to say that I think you do need to be careful about your choice of words and keep a humble spirit as we discuss.

Other than that, I'm ready to hear your experiences and how God has led you to your current knowledge of what you are sharing here if you wish to do so.

 

[regibassman57]

I understand your point here:
I have become very hesitant to offer my views on certain things as coming from a place of "I have this great knowledge that you haven't figured out and I am doing you a favor of telling you how it really is." To be honest, this is how you are coming across with certain statements to me.

Allow me some example of how i'm not being humble and presenting myself as arrogant? I'm curious. If you show me through my writtings, i'll be able to understand.

 

[Gigiloveslife]

And yes, I will share some of my experiences with you as we talk, but I know if you do not believe what God's word says, then you most likely will not believe me

Probably this statement the most....I mean, I could say the same thing to you, but like I said, I have come to a place where I don't think I have a perfect knowledge of the Word of God (as I thought I did 10 years ago). Your statement seems to come across as saying if I don't end up thinking the same thing as you do, then obviously I do not accept that the Bible is 100% true. Also, another statement you made to me a few comments back about Jesus and the Pharisees not agreeing but someone was benefiting. Probably and hopefully you didn't mean to put me in the Pharisee department, haha, but it was a poor analogy to use. (Because in that scenario, one Person was telling the truth - was, in fact, the Truth - and the other party was rejecting it entirely.)

Also, as I was just reading back on your comments, I came across one where you were responding to someone talking about Jesus having compassion on someone when he healed them. It sounds like you are saying that compassion is a negative thing in that response. Which at this point, I don't think you are saying, but you need to clarify your words a little better. Now that we have continued the conversation, it seems like you might be saying that compassion is only an emotion we experience now because of the Fall - in other words, there would have been no place for compassion before the Fall, because there would have been no one suffering from disease or injury that resulted from sin.

However, if you look at the entirety of the thread, your views have come across almost as saying that no emotion should be experienced whatsoever, that all emotions are wrong.

Maybe I'm the only one seeing it that way....anyway, maybe we could do this favor for each other? I would prefer to hear your experiences and your journey as a Christian and let's take this down a notch from trying to convince each other of our views. Trust that God will show each other what we need to see in His time and way...

 

[regibassman57]

Gig, I’m that person that has always gotten in trouble because of fear; shyness growing up. The only way I understood how to be free is through substance abuse. I started drinking at the age of 13, doing drugs at 16, I was kick out of high school in the 11 grade and 12 grade. I went to continuation school in order to graduate. Had a desire to go into the Navy so that was the plan and then before going in, I got caught stealing from one of the store in the Mall. This was not my first time going to jail, but I didn’t make going to jail a habit compared to some of my friends. I’ve been locked up in the in the Vista County Jail, San Diego County Jail and Los Angeles County Jail. Fortunately, I’ve never been to the Penitentiary. A person can get away with a lot of things when their acting in the position of a fool, but you will reap what you sow.

I was finally able to go into the Navy and did very well in boot camp. Then I went to my “A” school in Tennessee, where my evil ways started to take over; and I started selling drugs, fighting, drinking, drugging, etc; things that I did before I went into the military; this followed me to my duty station and I was kick out of the Navy after a little more than 2 years. After coming out of the military I moved to Los Angeles and started selling drugs. Enjoyed smoking PCP and Coke and lived my life. I ended up reaping what I sowed when I started smoking to much PCP/sherm and was transported to the mental hospital where I stayed for a few weeks. This is my condensed version. But I think you understand our lives are completely different.

Once I came to The Lord, I knew that’s what I needed, so that’s where I stayed in church. But while in church, the demons did not leave. I was 27 at the time and I didn’t get a grasp until I was 45. I’ve been married twice and it was all based lust; because I did not know what love was. Anyway this is who you’re talking to. And this is why I’m so serious about my victory in Christ and why I desire everything The LORD has for me. I haven’t gone backwards but I’ve slip in the past. I haven’t drank since 2013, haven’t did drugs since 25 and I’ve mastered conquering the demon of lust.

It’s out there…

 

[regibassman57]

Gig,
When I'm presenting God word, I do it from love. I cannot present it any other way. I see no arrogance in what i've written to you, only truth. I believe you know my intentions are not to offend, but only to edify.

Rom 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

 

[Gigiloveslife]

Thank you for sharing your story, @regibassman57 - I appreciate you sharing and love hearing others' testimonies of how God has set them free and delivered them. Very encouraging, thank you!

I think we agree on a lot of things (that there is a lot more offered to us in the abundant life that Christ promised that we have, right now, on earth that all stems from His indwelling life in us as totally new creations). I remember the first time that I had the revelation from God that eternal life is not something we get once we get to heaven but eternal Life is Jesus Himself (1 John 1:2). We are one with Christ and so we possess eternal life right now. We have a great inheritance as believers and we do not believe God nearly enough and take Him at His word.

I still would like to hear some examples of how you deal with both negative emotions as you are tempted by them and also how you handle, say, personal weaknesses or strongholds.

I still am very much confused about whether you consider compassion, grief and righteous anger to be negative emotions that we should try to bypass or can somehow escape in this life and would like clarification on your views here.

 

[Gigiloveslife]

Gig,
When I'm presenting God word, I do it from love. I cannot present it any other way. I see no arrogance in what i've written to you, only truth. I believe you know my intentions are not to offend, but only to edify.

Rom 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

I don't think your intent is to offend; however, I still wanted you to be aware of the things I expressed.

 

[regibassman57]

Much love to you Gig in Christ,
Writting is not my thing, but i've been so-called writting for a little time to friend (believers) trying to make the same points on emotions as i'm making with you. Most do not get it and many do. I'm good with that because this is not my word and if I get upset because a person does not believe me, God will look at me as if i'm crazy. Who am I to become prideful because someone didn't get it. i'm not their God.
I did however write something for you to be intrigued and stimulate your thought process for a moment :smile:.

GOD DID NOT CREATE MAN IN ALL HE IS

What something appears to be is not necessarily what it is.

The bible teaches that God created man in His image and likeness, but did not God create man in everything He is?

Genesis 1:26
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

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

God is the creator of all things.
God created man in His image and likeness; but did God create man according to everything is?

Genesis 3:22
And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
Genesis 3:23
Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.

God said the man has become as us (as gods) (Gen. 3:5) to know something... This is something He did not create in man to know; therefore, they were punished for it.

Genesis 3:16
Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
Genesis 3:17
And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

This sorrow, desire and curse is the result of the sin of disobedience through their actions. Their lack of faith was their sin and their works were their disobedience.

This multiplied sorrow in the birth of children is the punishment for the woman's part in her disobedience and sin. She was not created with this painful emotion to bring forth children.

H6093 (sorrow)
From 6087; {worrisomeness} that {is} labor or pain: - {sorrow} toil.

And the man's punishment was sorrow in him providing for his household, the ground would not yield food so readily as it did before they sinned. This is man's frustrations when he cannot find a job or cannot make enough money to provide according to his standards of life.

In the things that should be pleasurable and uplifting for a man and a woman, became a burden in the process. This is why God made a promise in the end to take away this emotional pain we feel which came as a result of man's sin. Man was not created to know these things.

Revelation 21:4
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

This also teaches us that God did not create man in everything He is. Man came to know something which was not God's intentions for them to know. Adam and Eve now knew the nature of good and evil emotions and the consequences of their actions.

The only thing man understood before they sinned was the righteous character of Christ who created all things as the word of God (John 1:1-4; Colossians 1: 16, 17). A word has no emotions, because a word is intellectual and rational; emotions are reactive and without thought. The spirit of a man is his mind, this is why God has told us to renew our minds (Ephesians 4:23). Think before we act.

Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Galatians 5:23
Meekness, temperance:against such there is no law.

The image and likeness of God and His purpose was for man to only know the character of the Fruit of the Spirit. This is why when He redeemed man, He reestablished the relationship with man through the Spirit of the Holy Ghost; whose character is the Fruit of Righteousness. If any man does not have this Spirit, they are not born again.

Romans 8:9
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

John 3:8
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

This is saying the just shall live by faith.

 

[regibassman57]

Hey Gig,
As I explain in my autobiography :smile:, I was an emotional mess. Fear was something that did not make any sense to me in my mind; but throughout my body that’s all the sense I felt. Most of my friends were out-going in conversation and actions doing ridiculous things without fear. I did the same things but I had to get past the fear, then I turned it into a challenge. I had to challenge myself because I didn’t want to show fear, and the more I exercised doing foolish things and challenging myself; that’s the person I became; my mind over came my fears in many things, but not in all things. Neither did I conquer all my fear while out there.

Anything we exercise, we can reign over, even if we don't initially overcome. I used the examples of atheist because many cultures that do not believe in Jesus do things that are based in “mind over matter;” they challenge themselves. I believe the reason a man can do certain things that defy the mind is because God created man in His image and likeness. The image of God, which I believe to be the ability of the mind, is something that God never took back from man (Romans 11:29); but the likeness of God, I believe to be the Fruit of the Spirit; His character which Adam lost in the fall; which also we've gained when we gave ourselves back unto the Lord.

Once I started becoming serious about God’s word, I believe He told me to study emotion; because I was so emotional across the board. I thought to myself, how in the world am suppose to understand emotions through the bible; I mean I’ve read the bible to understand it as much as I possibly could at that time. Once I started reading the bible from the aspect of emotion, things just started to open up to me. At that point I started to resist the emotions that I didn’t desire to deal with, which some people say I’m stifling or suppressing it; but I was doing what scripture told me to do.

Jam 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

2Co 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;

2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

I believe that God has given us the power over the devil, and because I see emotions as the devil’s character and influence, I think as God thinks. If God said, He’s given me power over Satan and his influence, and has given me the knowledge of how use that power over the devil, that’s what I do.

Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

The beauty of this is we can walk in the Gospel of Peace if we're obedient. This is another promose which God cannot lie about. These promises is ours in this world. We don't need it in the world to come.

Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

 

[Sue D.]

@ 'regi....' You commented that "I see emotions as the devil's character and influence' -- that is So sad that you would see emotions that way.

 

[regibassman57]

Hello Sue,

The reason I said, "I see emotions as the devil's character and influence' is because temptations in any form is influence, and this influence "CANNOT" come to us from God.

James 1:13
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God "cannot" be tempted with evil, neither tempts he any man:
James 1:14
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

Jesus was drawn away of His own fleshly desires (temptation) but He did not sin (Hebrews 4:15). It's not that Jesus desired the world, but He felt the pull of the fleshly desires tempting Him in His fleshly body.

Emotions come to take our peace from us, causing us to feel agitated and emotional. We are not thinking in our minds to premeditate how we should feel in a situation when we become angry, fearful, feeling any kind of grief, or lustful. This is a part of our carnal makeup; we react emotionally to situations without thought. At birth we came into this world feeling these emotional characteristic, but we had to learn to control them to our advantage. Anything that is controlled is divided. Good or evil can come as a result of any situation; however, if we control or focus on not becoming emotional, the end result is usually good. This is because we think through situations with rational thinking instead of reactive feelings. (Matthew 12:25, 26). Unbelievers control their emotions the best they can because they have no promise from the Spirit of God giving them peace. We as believers have a promise from God the Father that cannot lie. We must believe Him.

We know that God is not causing us to feel anything contrary to His peace; He's the one that said, "do not let your heart be troubled" (John 14:27); emotions are troublesome. Scripture teaches us, we do not fight spiritually against flesh and blood (ourselves), but we have, ignorantly, fought and became angry at ourselves many times; especially if we've done something foolish or when we were feeling sorry for ourselves. Another man cannot enter our spirit and agitate us causing us to feel emotional (Ephesians 6:12). Only the devil is capable of this (Ephesians 2:2).

Jesus in the garden prayed to God His Father to take this trial and burden from him, because the temptation was so overwhelming (Luke 22:44); but He relinquished and came back into His sound mind. He was conflicted in the trial feeling the pain of emotion tormenting His soul; so much so that He went as far as to sweat blood (Luke 22:44). Jesus was experiencing emotional fleshly confusion coming from the devil. Jesus was feeling conflicted in Himself when He said, Father take this cup from me.

Mar 14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

This trial was of God, but the fire of the temptation was from the devil. Only the devil comes to tempt us.

Matthew 4:3
And when the tempter came to Jesus, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
Matthew 4:4
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.
Matthew 4:5
Then the devil takes him up into the holy city, and sets him on a pinnacle of the temple,
Matthew 4:6
And said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

How in the world did the devil "take" Jesus anywhere? Jesus came in the likeness of sinful flesh; He came in the nature of fallen man having to be tempted as we are. What we feel emotionally in our bodies, Jesus felt in His. The devil took Jesus up to the pinnacle emotionally. Jesus was feeling suicidal through the many temptations He was going through. This is why the scripture said, “If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down;” the devil was putting these thoughts in Jesus’ mind. Not that Jesus was thinking and holding on to them, but as the devil does with us, we have to cast the thoughts and imaginations down through God’s words; this is what Jesus did (22Corithians 10:5).

Matthew 4:7
Jesus said unto him, it is written again, thou shall not tempt the Lord thy God.
Matthew 4:8
Again, the devil takes him up into an exceeding high mountain, and shows him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
Matthew 4:9
And said unto him, all these things will I give thee, if thou will fall down and worship me.

The devil gets many believers this way daily; until they've learn to resist. The world is the devil’s playground and the devil knows he can get people in-general through the pleasantries of life based on how we “FEEL;” whether materialistic or lusting after the opposite sex. One of our greatest brothers fell to this temptation of emotion; his name was David. Jesus came to show the devil man is greater.

Matthew 4:10
Then said Jesus unto him (the devil), Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shall worship the Lord thy God, and him only shall thou serve.
Matthew 4:11
Then the devil left him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Only the devil can make us feel emotionally vulnerable; this is how Jesus felt for us.

Hebrews 4:15
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

What were Jesus infirmities? He was never physically sick and could not be sick because He could not be physically defiled; He had to be the perfect sacrifice without blemish. This is not a physically warfare we are in, but a spiritual. The infirmities Jesus felt were all emotional; spiritual. And the temptations and infirmities were all from the devil.

 

[Sue D.]

I see emotions as a gift from God. They are what make us Human rather than 'emotionless robots'.

And, of Course, we have satan's influence in this world. He wants believers to mess up and get mad and have temper tantrums. He Also wants us to over-eat , get drunk, get picked up for reckless driving. But eating is necessary for living, and some people Can drink socially and not have a problem with it. Are we supposed to stop driving cars? Actually, driving Is a privilege -- we pass a written and driving test and pay for insurance, But what ever our mode of transportation, we do so 'responsibly'.

While we are on this earth, we Will mess up -- that's a given. We acknowledge our particular sin at any given time and ask forgiveness. That does NOT mean that we'll never again commit that particular sin. And it's true that in God's eyes -- sin is sin. In society -- some sins are more serious than others. Some sins will get us a jail cell or prison. Some will ruin relationships. And some are relatively minor and we strive to not repeat them. But we won't be free from sinning until we reach heaven.

 

[regibassman57]

Hey Sue,

Where can I find and confirm in scripture that God create emotions as a gift in man? And I can assure you, your description of a person without emotion is definitely not accurate ('emotionless robots'.).

I definitely agree that through Satan’s influence, he wants believers to walk in the flesh (Romans 8:12, 13) contrary to God’s character in whatever activity.

Eating is necessary, but gluttony is not (Proverbs 23:21). Drinking is a pleasure, drinking to get a buzz is also pleasurable; but not wise (1Corinthians 5:11).

1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionors, shall inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:21).

As you said, we drive and it’s a privilege, but if we drive while drunk, we are not driving responsibly nor rationally. Just as when people get drunk on their own emotional egos; they’re not thinking rationally either. Road rage happens because people “feel violated emotionally.” There’s a way to drive in this world, even as there’s a way for a believer to conduct themselves in Christ. Jesus has already set the rules and it’s our responsibility to live by them if we choose.

This is what Jesus said about sinning:

Joh 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, whosoever "commits" (G4160) sin is the servant of sin.

Joh 8:35 And the servant abides not in the house for ever: but the Son abides forever.

The Greek definition for “commits” is “G4160” which refer to “G4238”:

G4238 (commits)
pras'-so
A primary verb; to “practise”, that is, perform repeatedly or habitually (thus differing from G4160, which properly refers to a single act); by implication to execute, accomplish, etc.; specifically to collect (dues), fare (personally): - commit, deeds, do, exact, keep, require, use arts.

Gal 2:17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

The only thing that I can do is walk according to the scriptures as I see and read them verbatim. If scripture says, we are dead to sin; then I do not have a consciousness of sin (1Peter 2:24; Hebrews 10:1, 2). If scripture says, Jesus has perfected believers, forever, from sin (Hebrews 10:14), then I’m perfect “from” sin. If scripture says we are sanctified from sin once for all (Hebrews 10:10, 12), then I am cleansed and made holy from sin once for all.

Do I commit wrong acts on occasion, yes. Do I repent from the action or actions, yes. Do I do them habitually, not any more.

Gal 2:18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

The only thing that I am transgressing if I do anything contrary to Christ's commandments, are my personal accomplishments in Christ. I cannot transgress the law, because I'm not justified by the law. I am justified by Jesus Christ who is not imputing sin to me. If I were to continue in unfruitful works without repenting from them, I will continue to be unfruitful in the character of Christ; meaning I will not bring forth the fruits of Righteousness (Ephesians 4:22-24), and it's possible I can find myself in the lake of fire..

Tit 3:14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

1Co 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

G96 (castaway) G96
ad-ok'-ee-mos
From G1 (as a negative particle) and G1384; unapproved, that is, rejected; by implication worthless (literally or morally): - castaway, rejected, reprobate.