Intellect vs Emotion

[B-A-C]

The title of this thread is a little misleading. I don't believe they have to conflict with each other, but rather sometimes they can be out of balance.

When I read the Bible, I notice God has emotions. He is sometimes angry, sometimes sad, and sometimes rejoicing. Eph 4:30; says the Holy Spirit can be grieved.

(Exod 4:14; Numb 11:1; Numb 12:9; Deut 29:27; ... Gen 6:6; ... Psa 21:1; Prov 23:16; etc...)
To me, the fact that we also have emotions, proves that we are made in the image of God. The trouble with humans, is that we sometimes let our emotions control us and get the best of us.

But God also gave a mind, an intellect, a brain to think with. Sometimes we can get too intellectual with God, but sometimes we can get too emotional also.
"Too emotional? Are you sure?" Some people are good at being drama queens, and playing emotions (guilt) against people. I've actually seen people try to do this with God (even here on TalkJesus).

But many times through the Bible we are told to rejoice, at least one verse says it's OK to be angry for a while (but don't let the sun go down on your anger). So obviously it's
OK for us to have emotions.

We are told to love the Lord, with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. ( Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27; ) Heart and soul con-notate emotions. It's OK to have emotions in our love for God.
But we have to be careful not to go too far with this. There are actually Christians song that talk about physical intimacy with God. Some modern songs say we are going to hug and kiss God.
Some of these songs are more like a secular romance, than a proclamation of love.

Part of the fruit of the Spirit is "joy" ( Gal 5:22; )
On the day of Pentecost, some people though the Apostles and those in the upper room were drunk. ( Acts 2:13-14; )

1Cor 14:14; For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
1Cor 14:15; What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.

Paul says when we pray, don't just pray in the Spirit, but pray with your mind also. Don't just worship in the Spirit, but worship with your mind also.
Col 1:9; says we can be filled with the wisdom of God, James 1:5; says if we lack wisdom, we should ask for it.

We shouldn't criticize some denominations for being more emotional, and we shouldn't criticize other denominations for being too stodgy and liturgical.
The word "anger" is in 268 verses in my Bible. The word "angry" in there 87 times. The word "rejoice" is in 145 verses. We are told laughter is good medicine.
"Joy" is in 170 verses. We are told the joy of the Lord is our strength.

There should be some emotion in our relationship with God, but there should also be reasoning, wisdom, and intellect in our relationship with God as well.
We need to be careful not to go too far completely in one direction or the other. When people start talking about physical intimacy with God, it's time to back off.
When people are all intellect, and logic it's time to back off.

Eccl 3:4; A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance.
2Sam 6:14; And David was dancing before the LORD with all his might, and David was wearing a linen ephod.

 

[B-A-C]

I've heard many people say "Just follow your heart, it won't lead you astray". But this isn't what the Bible says.

Jer 17:9; "The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?

Matt 6:21; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 12:34; "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Where is your heart? For many people their treasure is in the world, finances, relationships with people, their job, their possessions, their family, their body, exercise, it could be almost
anything. The Bible says we can't serve both God and wealth. Where is your treasure?

The Bible says we have to guide our hearts, not let our hearts guide us.

Prov 23:19; Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.

 

[Gregoryp]

I am finding its getting to the point now to show my patience is wearing thin. We have the special gift of the Holy spirit to guide us, and can build a personal relationship with God, as a person, not a deity. And yet time and time again I see people arguing over pointless drivvle. My patience, just like the Lords, is starting to wear thin. In other words, sometimes a harsh word or two needs to be typed to wake these people up. And BTW, Satan does send agents here to confuse and torment us, So in other words, sometimes following your emotions can be a good thing.

 

[Sue D.]

@Gregoryp -- God created mankind with emotions. Jesus wept -- showing His emotions. Some people are more emotional than others. Some people have anger issues. Everyone has issues of some kind.

God Wants to have relationship with us. God is the Father part of the deity.

 

[Brad Huber]

Every aspect of "how God created us" is important, otherwise He would not have created us such a way. Being led by the Holy Spirit is the solution to know when to follow emotions, intellect, etc.

 

[Sue D.]

Because we Are created with intellect and emotion, etc. we will be reacting to life around us. It's perfectly normal to laugh, cry, get mad, etc. Personally I don't get mad -- just hurt deeply. I've done a lot of crying -- death of friends, loved ones. And we can All use a good laugh. Maybe realizing when our emotions get over-whelming -- the need for anger-management. The need for Christian counseling to help us deal with very emotional times in our lives. Grief counseling for instance.

And maybe we're saying the same thing but in a different way.

 

[Dave M]

And yet time and time again I see people arguing over pointless drivvle. My patience, just like the Lords, is starting to wear thin. In other words, sometimes a harsh word or two needs to be typed

I can help wonder how what you have stated lines up with GOds word, because I have felt exactly the same way. Seems we are to bridle our tongue and keep silent if we cant express ourself in a loving way, Jesus said the way is hard and he was not kidding. No wear in scripture do I see it suggesting that we use harsh words, man I have a lot to work on

2 Timothy 2:23-24
Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,

Proverbs 26:4
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.

Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

James 1:26
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.