We are going to see many people operating entirely on emotion, the opposite of what God said to do. In these last days when personal pleasure takes first place in most lives, we will encounter many people who base most of what they do and think on how they feel, rather than what is right.
1 Corinthians 2:16 "For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ."
Philippians 2:2 "fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind."
Discussion is for the purpose of discerning truth, discovering what others think to fill the place in our minds that needed honing.
The devil uses emotion more than anything else to devastate people. I believe that's why we have so many on depression meds today, they are not born again and are at the mercy of the devil who is messing with their emotions.
Our culture has been programmed for the past 40 years that emotions are the most important part of our being when in fact they are the shallowest part of us.
Often in my life I have had to ignore how I felt to do what was right, only to find out that my emotions were inaccurate and that I didn't have enough information to guide my thinking, emotions lack reasoning ability. A good example of this might be pseudobulbar affect, a condition that causes us to cry or laugh for no reason at all.
When we see what emotion can cause as apposed to what right and rational thinking can do, it is easy to discern the damage emotion can do.
We have emotions, sometimes they are based on truth, but often they are based on our own skewed perception and the gossip of others rather than proven facts.
As we grow older our life will demonstrate whether we operated from an emotional plane or a rational one.
It is interesting that as we get older we let down our guard and what is really inside, that we have been hiding for many years, begins to emerge because we no longer have the strength to hide our real selves.
Emotions are not right or wrong, they are stimuli from our flesh triggered by our own desires. Often they are inaccurate, fleshly and detrimental to most situations. All fights and arguments begin because of unrestrained emotional responses.
It is natural for human beings to be so full of themselves that they see any disagreement as a personal attack rather than a person's right to their own opinion that doesn't have to agree with theirs, for them to be of value.
Very insecure and narcissistic people cannot handle any form of disagreement, every criticism is seen as disapproval, shame and blame of their very person. When we are not so self focused, we don't have to see disagreements as anything but two people with differing views.
When we are secure in Christ we don't feel a need to "force" others through intimidation and manipulation to think as we do. We can enjoy discussion where others have opposing viewpoints, while still loving the person.
If our views are polar opposites from others, it is impossible to maintain an ongoing relationship, however when in their company we can express ourselves and be courteous.
Amos 3:3 "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" The answer is no, we must be going the same direction to be constant companions.
It is my opinion that the reason so many churches have become apostate is because they have compromised with those who disagree with God, placating the unsaved, causing many believers to become just like those they sought to win.
1 Corinthians 15:33 "Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."
It is interesting to me that when believers are in the company of non-believers more than they are in the company of believers, the believers move more in the direction of the non-believers, but the non-believers don't move at all.
This has happened in our churches, even if the pastor preaches good messages, the congregation as a whole will listen and agree but proceed to follow the ways of the non-believers to appear friendly and because what non-believers do and say, appeals to the flesh.
Our problem in this modern Christian culture is not that we don't have the truth, we have that if we have Bibles in our homes, it is that we do not boldly proclaim what we believe while trusting Christ that He can use it in His way and timing.
It takes faith to live the Christian life, faith to believe that even if we don't see anyone believing us, it is God's responsibility to work in hearts. We are merely the messenger, nothing more. Our job is to put the truth out there and let God do His work His way with it.
1 Corinthians 3:7 "So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth."
Philippians 2:13 "for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."
Psalm 58:19 "Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, The God who is our salvation. Selah."
Jeremiah 26:5 "to listen to the words of My servants the prophets, whom I have been sending to you again and again, but you have not listened;"
Philippians 1:6 "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."
John 5:17 "But He answered them, "My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working."
It's really very simple, ask the Holy Spirit, do what He says and leave all the rest to Him.
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