Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries |
The Doctrine of Emotions. Part 4.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
ROM 9:1 I am communicating doctrine in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit,
The Emotions of the Soul.
Point 1. Definition and Description.
A. Emotion, sometimes called feelings, is a part of the essence of the soul.
The soul resides in the brain, and a part of the brain is called the thalamus where many believe the emotions are located, and it is a non-thinking part of the brain.
MAT 22:37 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,”
Emotion responds or reacts to whatever thoughts are in the soul.
Normally the emotion is to be dominated by the right lobe of the soul, called the kardia or heart which is basically the mentality.
Abnormally the emotion rules the mentality; this is when neurosis and psychosis sets in.
Emotion has two functions in life as a part of the soul: a normal and an abnormal function. Adolph Hitler said - "I use emotion for the majority and reserve reason for the few.”
By definition then, the emotions are the appreciator of the soul.
By function, the emotions were designed to respond to the right lobe.
It is like an empty bag lined with sensitivity.
Emotionalism is so dangerous because emotions serve as human energy. As a result, believers do not function under divine power but rather human power.
If we study the lives of great men and women carefully and unemotionally we will find that, invariably, greatness was developed, tested, and revealed through the darker periods of their lives.
One of the greatest contributors of the winner believer is always the stream of adversity.
Painful as it may be, a significant emotional event can be the catalyst for choosing a direction that serves us - and those around us - more effectively. Look for the learning in the situation.
Point 2. The New Testament Greek words for emotion.
(a) Koilia is identified with the solar plexus, a part of the central nervous system; therefore, it is often translated “stomach.”
PHI 3:18-19, For many keep walking, concerning whom I have warned you many times, and now continue to affirm, even weeping, the enemies of the cross of Christ, whose termination is destruction, whose god is their emotion, and whose time of glory will be a momentary time of shame, who keep thinking about earthly things.
(b) Splagnon - represents the parasympathetic and sympathetic effects of emotion. It is the word for intestines, often translated “guts” or “entrails” or “tender mercies.” It means feelings and affections.
PHI 1:8 For God is my witness, how I deeply desire all of you with the affections [splagnon] of Christ Jesus.
PHI 2:1 Since therefore there is encouragement in Christ, since there is comfort from virtue-love, since there is fellowship of the Spirit, since there is tendernesses [splagnon] and compassions,
COL 3:12 And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion [splagnon], kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
(c) Nephros - translated “reins” in the King James version and “heart” in the NAS.
Point 3. Emotions are tested by God.
REV 2:23 “Furthermore, I will execute her followers by means of death, and so all the churches will know that I am He who investigates the emotions and the right lobe, and I will administer punishment to each one according to your activities.”
PSA 7:9 “For the righteous God tests the right lobes and the emotions.”
PSA 26:2 “Test my emotions and my right lobe.”
Since capacity for life is based on the amount of doctrine in your right lobe, testing your emotions refers to testing the response of your emotions to this information.
Point 4. Old Testament Words for Emotions.
Racham or the “bowels” is used to designate the emotions and point to having mercy,
GEN 43:30; 1KI 3:26.
GEN 43:30 And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother.
This word was translated bowels because the bowels are a portion of the anatomy that is empty but filled with something.
Weeping is an emotional response; it has no thought.
MAT 9:34, He’s of the devil;
MAT 11:19, He’s a glutton and a drunk;
MAT 26:65, He blasphemes;
MAT 26:66, He’s deserving of death!
MAR 3:21, He’s nuts and insane;
MAR 3:22, He’s demon possessed;
MAR 3:30, He’s an unclean spirit;
LUK 15:2, He hangs around with prostitutes;
LUK 23:2, He’s unpatriotic;
LUK 23:5, He’s a troublemaker;
LUK 23:14, He’s incites rebellions;
JOH 7:12, He’s a cult leader;
JOH 8:48, He has a demon;
JOH 10:20, He has a demon and He’s insane;
Racham or the “bowels” is used to designate the emotions and point to having mercy,
GEN 43:30; 1KI 3:26.
At 211 degrees water is hot.
At 212 degrees, it boils.
One extra degree ... makes all the difference.
The average margin of victory for the last 25 years in all major golf tournaments combined was less than 3 strokes.
In 2004 Mens 800m race the margin of victory was .71 seconds.
At the Indy 500 in 2001... the average margin for victory for the past 10 years was 1.54 seconds.
On average the winner took home ,278,813.
The second place prize was 1,321.
A difference of 7,492.
To get what we’ve never had we must do what we’ve never done.
The only thing that stands between a person and what they want in life is the will to try it and the faith to believe it is possible.
Belief fuels enthusiasm, and enthusiasm explodes into passion.