Emotion can be a powerful thing. So many believers today are actually on a search for a good feeling related to their Christian life – if they don’t feel something then they must not be growing! But in reality, how you feel has nothing to do with your spiritual status. Many people try to substitute emotional highs for spirituality.

This is not to say that feeling emotions related to your Christian life is wrong. Emotions can (and should) be a response to something spiritual. For example, realizing that all your sins are forgiven can certainly bring an emotional appreciation. The problem comes when we let out emotions control us, not have them respond to the Word of God.

The problem with letting emotion control you is that you will never be truly satisfied – it always takes just a little bit more the next time. Look at what the Word of God has to say about emotions:

Romans 16:17-18

17 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.

18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

The word appetites here is the Greek word KOILIA. It literally means belly, womb or gut. Even now we say “I just have a gut feeling!” It refers to the emotions. It’s all a question of being CONTROLLED by your emotions. Be careful – people who put their emotions first can be smooth and flattering!

Philippians 3:18-19

18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ,

19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.

When you make emotion the most important thing in your Christian life, you will be (Paul says) an enemy of the Cross of Christ!

2 Timothy 4:3-4

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,

4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.

Wanting to have your ears tickled is the same principle. If you spend your Christian life looking to have your emotions satisfied, you will turn away from the true doctrine and become an enemy of the cross.

There is nothing wrong with having an emotional response to a doctrinal principle. Certainly, there are things about Christianity that will naturally make you feel good! But when your goal is to have a great feeling every time you go to church, you are setting your emotions as the highest priority, and you will end up deceived. Don’t let your emotions restrain your Christian growth:

2 Corinthians 6:11-12

11 Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide.

12 You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections. (SPLAGNIA, or kidneys – same principle, it means emotions.)

I apologize if this message didn’t give you an emotional high! But hopefully, you learned something. It’s not always about how you feel; it’s about what you know.