Bring Your Emotions Under the Lordship of God’s Word
Study The Word
Ephesians 4:26 (KJV)
“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.”
Let me talk to you about something every single one of us has to reckon with: our emotions. We are all going to experience some of the emotions we have labelled “negative.” They are simply a part of the human experience, and there is no escaping them. But here is where the real matter lies. It is a choice how we decide to process those emotions, how we allow them to impact us, and how we allow them to dictate the way we treat other people.
And notice, the Bible is honest about this. It is clear that it is possible for us to experience what we have categorized as negative emotions. Look at our scripture. It actually speaks about us feeling anger, and yet it calls us not to act wrongly on it: “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” Do you see the balance in that? The emotion is acknowledged. The wrong response is what we are warned against.
And the same is true of hurt and disappointment. We cannot escape the reality that we will have disagreements with others, that we will sometimes be disappointed by our circumstances. But it always comes back to the how. How we choose to handle it. How we choose to respond.
This is what I love so much about the Word of God. Many times it acknowledges the presence and the very real possibility of experiencing these kinds of emotions. But because the Word is our manual for life, He never leaves it there. He always gives us the solution for how we can overcome in those moments. Sometimes it is through getting wisdom from His Word. Sometimes it is through speaking in other tongues. Sometimes it is through making melody in our heart in psalms and hymns. Sometimes it is through offering worship, and sometimes it is simply through remaining quiet and refusing to give a hasty answer. How beautiful is it that God’s Word has never left us stranded in this world to figure it all out by ourselves?
So let us go a little deeper, because this is really a question of authority. To be under the authority of God’s Word is to be led by the Spirit of God. And the Word lets us know something we cannot afford to miss: to be carnally minded is death. To be sense ruled is death. Constantly living your life ruled by your emotions leads you toward death. But to be led by the Spirit of God, and His Word, is an experience of life. Sit with the difference between those two states:
“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:6).
Do you understand what that means for your everyday life? Imagine not lashing out at your children when you feel frustrated. Imagine being in control of your food portions. Imagine not giving in to the temptation to complain, but instead choosing to speak God’s Word and give thanks. That is the beauty of a life that is governed by the Word and the Spirit, and not ruled by the senses. That is what it looks like to bring your emotions under the Lordship of God’s Word.
So please, hear this as an encouragement. We are living in an era where we have so much information at our disposal, so let us not remain where we are. Let us do the work to grow, to tend to our inner world, and to change the way we respond to some of these harder experiences. Your emotions are real, but they were never meant to be your master. Bring them under the Lordship of the Word, and you will find life and peace on the other side. Hallelujah!
Pray The Word
Heavenly Father, thank You that You never leave me stranded in my emotions, but always give me a way to overcome in Your Word. I acknowledge the feelings I experience, but I refuse to let them rule me or dictate how I treat others. Teach me to be led by Your Spirit and Your Word rather than by my senses, and give me the grace to respond with wisdom, worship, and thanksgiving. I bring every emotion under the Lordship of Your Word, that I may walk in life and peace, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Speak The Word
My emotions are real, but they are not my master; I bring them under the Lordship of God’s Word. I refuse to be sense ruled, because to be carnally minded is death, and I am led by the Spirit of God unto life and peace. When I feel anger, hurt, or frustration, I choose the response the Word gives me, and I do not sin. I speak God’s Word, I make melody in my heart, and I give thanks in every situation. I am governed by the Word and the Spirit, and I walk in life, in the name of Jesus Christ!
Soul Wellness: An Introduction To Receiving Healing In Your Heart
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