Mastering Emotions: Aligning Will with God's Truth
Summary
In our journey of faith, we must recognize the importance of not allowing our lives to be dominated by feelings and emotions. This is a decision that requires understanding and commitment. Our culture often suggests that acting contrary to our feelings is hypocritical, but in truth, it is a path to spiritual maturity. We must learn to differentiate between our feelings and our will, understanding that our actions should be guided by what is good, not merely by what we feel. This requires a deep knowledge of God and His teachings, which help us discern what is truly good.
Feelings, when allowed to rule, can corrupt our thinking and lead us to rationalize actions that are not aligned with God's will. Many people live in a state where their feelings have taken over their thoughts, leading to a life of rationalization and self-deception. It is crucial to recognize that feelings are not the ultimate truth and should not define our actions. Instead, we must strive to align our desires with God's will, seeking His guidance and strength to overcome negative emotions.
To achieve this, we must engage in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, and solitude. These practices help us master our emotions and align our will with God's. By praying for relief from overwhelming feelings and taking actions that counteract negative emotions, we can transform our inner lives. Additionally, seeking the support and ministry of others in our faith community can provide the encouragement and strength needed to overcome emotional struggles.
Ultimately, we are responsible for our feelings and must learn to surrender them to God. By doing so, we can experience the peace and joy that come from living in alignment with His will. This journey requires a willingness to change and a commitment to living a life that reflects the character of Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- Mastery Over Feelings: We must not let our feelings dictate our actions. Instead, we should align our desires with God's will, understanding that feelings are not the ultimate truth. This requires a deep knowledge of God and His teachings. [04:32]
- Rationalization and Self-Deception: When feelings rule our lives, they can lead to rationalization and self-deception. We must recognize that feelings are not the ultimate truth and should not define our actions. [02:22]
- Spiritual Disciplines: Engaging in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, and solitude helps us master our emotions and align our will with God's. These practices provide the strength needed to overcome negative emotions. [17:28]
- Community Support: Seeking the support and ministry of others in our faith community can provide encouragement and strength to overcome emotional struggles. We are not meant to journey alone. [08:02]
- Responsibility for Feelings: We are responsible for our feelings and must learn to surrender them to God. By doing so, we can experience the peace and joy that come from living in alignment with His will. [22:32]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:23] - Decision Over Feelings
- [01:16] - Temptation and Attraction
- [02:09] - Rationalization of Feelings
- [03:14] - Worship of Feelings
- [04:11] - Defining Goodness
- [05:43] - Truth and Kindness
- [06:19] - Identifying Negative Emotions
- [07:42] - Transforming Through Service
- [08:37] - Demonic Influences
- [09:56] - Resignation of Feelings
- [11:16] - Contempt and Anger
- [13:33] - Eliminating Contempt
- [15:19] - Respect and Love
- [17:08] - Spiritual Disciplines for Mastery
- [19:29] - Character Over Feelings
- [21:33] - Living Differently
- [23:44] - Mastering Emotions by Grace
- [25:14] - Changing Thoughts and Feelings
- [27:32] - Crucifying Desires
- [28:29] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
2. Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
3. Colossians 3:8 - "But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what is the cultural belief about acting on feelings, and how does it contrast with the biblical perspective? [00:39]
2. What are some of the spiritual disciplines mentioned in the sermon that help in mastering emotions? [17:28]
3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between feelings and rationalization? [02:09]
4. What role does community support play in overcoming emotional struggles according to the sermon? [08:02]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Romans 12:2 relate to the sermon’s message about not allowing feelings to dominate our actions? What does it mean to be transformed by the renewing of your mind?
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that feelings can lead to self-deception, and how does this align with the warning in Colossians 3:8? [02:22]
3. How does the concept of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 provide a framework for aligning our desires with God's will as discussed in the sermon?
4. The sermon mentions the importance of surrendering feelings to God. How does this practice contribute to experiencing peace and joy in alignment with God’s will? [22:32]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you allowed your feelings to dictate your actions. How might you approach a similar situation differently in light of Romans 12:2? [00:23]
2. Identify a negative emotion that frequently challenges you. What specific spiritual discipline could you incorporate into your life to help master this emotion? [17:28]
3. Think of a time when you rationalized an action based on your feelings. How can you apply the sermon’s teaching to avoid self-deception in the future? [02:09]
4. How can you actively seek support from your faith community to help you align your desires with God’s will? What steps will you take this week to engage with others for encouragement and strength? [08:02]
5. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23 to focus on this month. What specific action could you take to cultivate it in your daily interactions?
6. Consider a person in your life who tests your patience. What is a short prayer or action you can take before your next interaction with them to align your response with God’s will? [11:16]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about responsibility for feelings. What is one practical way you can surrender a challenging emotion to God this week? [22:32]
Devotional
Day 1: Aligning Desires with Divine Will
In our journey of faith, it is crucial to understand that our feelings should not dictate our actions. Instead, we are called to align our desires with God's will, recognizing that feelings are not the ultimate truth. This alignment requires a deep knowledge of God and His teachings, which guide us in discerning what is truly good. By focusing on God's will, we can make decisions that reflect His character, even when our emotions suggest otherwise. This path to spiritual maturity involves a conscious decision to prioritize God's truth over our transient feelings. [04:32]
"For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:11, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a recent situation where your feelings led you to act contrary to God's will. How can you realign your desires with His truth today?
Day 2: Recognizing the Deception of Feelings
When feelings dominate our lives, they can lead to rationalization and self-deception. It is essential to recognize that feelings are not the ultimate truth and should not define our actions. Many people live in a state where their emotions have taken over their thoughts, leading to a life of rationalization. By acknowledging this, we can begin to see the areas where we have allowed our feelings to mislead us and take steps to correct our course. This awareness is the first step in overcoming the deception of feelings and living a life aligned with God's will. [02:22]
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a time when you rationalized a decision based on your feelings. What steps can you take to ensure your future decisions are grounded in truth rather than emotion?
Day 3: Embracing Spiritual Disciplines
Engaging in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, and solitude is vital for mastering our emotions and aligning our will with God's. These practices provide the strength needed to overcome negative emotions and transform our inner lives. Through prayer, we seek relief from overwhelming feelings, while fasting helps us focus on spiritual nourishment over physical desires. Solitude allows us to listen to God's voice more clearly, away from the distractions of daily life. By incorporating these disciplines into our routine, we can cultivate a deeper relationship with God and gain the strength to live according to His will. [17:28]
"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:6, ESV)
Reflection: Which spiritual discipline do you find most challenging to practice regularly? How can you incorporate it into your daily routine this week?
Day 4: The Power of Community Support
We are not meant to journey alone in our faith. Seeking the support and ministry of others in our faith community can provide the encouragement and strength needed to overcome emotional struggles. By sharing our burdens with others, we can find comfort and guidance, knowing that we are supported by a community that cares for us. This communal support is a vital aspect of spiritual growth, as it reminds us that we are part of a larger body of believers who are all striving to live in alignment with God's will. [08:02]
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your faith community can you reach out to for support in your current struggles? How can you also be a source of encouragement for someone else?
Day 5: Surrendering Feelings to God
We are responsible for our feelings and must learn to surrender them to God. By doing so, we can experience the peace and joy that come from living in alignment with His will. This surrender requires a willingness to change and a commitment to living a life that reflects the character of Christ. As we release our emotions to God, we open ourselves to His transformative power, allowing Him to shape our hearts and minds according to His purpose. This act of surrender is a daily practice that leads to a deeper sense of peace and fulfillment in our spiritual journey. [22:32]
"Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved." (Psalm 55:22, ESV)
Reflection: What feelings or emotions are you holding onto that need to be surrendered to God? How can you begin this process of surrender today?
Quotes
We must learn to differentiate between our feelings and our will, understanding that our actions should be guided by what is good, not merely by what we feel. This requires a deep knowledge of God and His teachings, which help us discern what is truly good. [00:04:11]
If we concede to feelings the rule of our life, living to gratify them, they will corrupt our thinking and thought will become crazy and devoted to rationalizing our acts. You know anyone like that? No, didn’t mean for a confession here. [00:01:38]
We cannot allow our lives in action to be dominated by feelings and emotion; they must serve what is good and not define it. Feelings do not define what is good, but again now that is an orthodoxy that reaches to the highest levels of the academic world. [00:04:05]
If there are feelings or emotions which negatively dominate us, pulling us off the course of Christlikeness, then what we have to do is to identify them clearly, and that requires some prayerful, honest searching. [00:06:19]
Pray specifically to God for relief, and this is something that you need to learn personally because as many times feelings are so overwhelming you just have to simply say, "Lord, lift this, lift this," and I’ve had to do that many times in my life. [00:07:07]
Seeking the support and ministry of others in our faith community can provide encouragement and strength to overcome emotional struggles. We are not meant to journey alone. [00:08:02]
The fruit of the Spirit now we want to understand does not consist of feelings or emotions but character. Love is not a feeling; love is a character. So, you know the song "falling in love with love," and you know that song, it’s a wonderful thing. [00:19:18]
There is no sin-generating feeling or emotion that we cannot eliminate or at least master by grace and wise action, and I have to affirm that to you, ask you to take it home and think about it. [00:23:44]
Those who belong to Jesus Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. He who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human desires but for the will of God. [00:27:32]
We do not fail to receive healing of life in Christ because of lack of will. That’s not the problem, and that is so commonly thought. All you just don’t will it. Well, it’s not. I mean, that can happen, but because of lack of intelligent order and decision. [00:24:32]
You cannot change your thoughts by changing your feelings, but you can change your feelings by changing your thoughts, and that’s where the will comes in. In any situation of temptation, pay attention to where your thoughts are. [00:25:14]
We have to come to that having already decided this is for me. I am prepared to have my desires and my feelings and my emotions crucified. I am prepared to allow God to take over and direct them into ways that are good. [00:28:29]
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