Emotions in Biblical Decision-Making: A Theological Perspective
Emotions, or "affections," play a significant role in biblical decision-making, though they are often presented with nuance and distinction between their natural and spiritual forms [1]. The Bible acknowledges that emotions are an inherent part of human nature, not inherently sinful, but capable of becoming so if misdirected or excessive [6].
The Scriptures frequently refer to the heart as the seat of emotions and decision-making. For instance, Psalm 39:3 describes a heart that was "hot within me" and burned with meditation before speaking [3]. Similarly, the "reins" (kidneys) are sometimes identified as the seat of emotion and thought [8]. The Bible exhorts believers to set their affections on God and heavenly things [5]. This includes loving God supremely (Deuteronomy 6:3; Mark 12:30) and having affections for God's commandments, house, worship, and people [5]. Such affections are described as being enkindled by communion with Christ (Luke 24:32) [5].
Decisions in the biblical context are often presented as requiring wholehearted commitment. Torrey's Topical Textbook emphasizes that decisions are necessary for serving God and should involve seeking God with the heart, keeping commandments, being on the Lord's side, and following God fully [2]. This contrasts with a "divided service" or "double-mindedness" [2]. Ecclesiastes 8:6 notes that "for every purpose there is a time and a decision," acknowledging the weight of human sorrow in these choices [7].
While emotions are integral, the Bible also warns against allowing them to lead to sin. "Vile affections" and "inordinate affection" are mentioned in Romans 1:26 and Colossians 3:5, respectively, indicating that certain emotional states are contrary to God's will [1]. Anger, for example, is a natural susceptibility, but it becomes sinful when it is causeless, excessive, or prolonged (Matthew 5:22; Ephesians 4:26; Colossians 3:8) [6]. The concept of "bowels" in passages like Philippians 1:8 and Colossians 3:12 refers to compassionate feelings or "tender mercies," highlighting positive emotional responses [4].
Even Jesus, in his humanity, experienced profound emotions. In Gethsemane, he felt fear and anxiety, praying, "please take this cup of suffering away" (Luke 22:42) [9]. This demonstrates that experiencing difficult emotions is not inherently sinful, but how one responds to them is crucial.
The wisdom literature, particularly Ecclesiastes, offers insights into the role of emotions in decision-making. While it acknowledges the place for earthly enjoyments, it also suggests that these should give way when God's work requires it, emphasizing that the outcome is "wholly in God's hand" (Ecclesiastes 9:1, 10-11) [10]. Sorrow arising from serious thoughts of eternity is considered better than reckless mirth (Ecclesiastes 7:3) [11].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Affection — Feeling or emotion. Mention is made of "vile affections" (Rom. 1:26) and "inordinate affection" (Col. 3:5). Christians are exhorted to set their affections on things above (Col. 3:2). There is a distinction between natural and spiritual or gracious affections (Ezek. 33:32).”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Decision — Necessary to the service of God -- Lu 9:62. Exhortations to -- Jos 24:14,15. Exhibited in Seeking God with the heart. -- 2Ch 15:12. Keeping the commandments of God. -- Ne 10:29. Being on the Lord's side. -- Ex 32:26. Following God fully. -- Nu 14:24; 32:12; Jos 14:8. Serving God. -- Isa 56:6. Loving God perfectly. -- De 6:5. Blessedness of. -- Jos 1:7. Opposed to A divided service. -- Mt 6:24. Double-mindedness. -- Jas 1:8. Halting between two opinions. -- 1Ki 18:21. Turning to the right or left. -- De 5:32. Not setting the heart aright. -- Ps 78:8,37. Exe”
- Psalms “My heart was hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned: I spoke with my tongue: -- Psalms 39:3”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Bowels — (Phil. 1:8; 2:1; Col. 3:12), compassionate feelings; R.V., "tender mercies."”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affections, The — Should be supremely set upon God -- De 6:3; Mr 12:30. Should be set Upon the commandments of God. -- Ps 19:8-10; 119:20,97,103,167. Upon the house and worship of God. -- 1Ch 29:3; Ps 26:8; 27:4; 84:1,2. Upon the people of God. -- Ps 16:3; Ro 12:10; 2Co 7:13-15; 1Th 2:8. Upon heavenly things. -- Col 3:1,2. Should be zealously engaged for God -- Ps 69:9; 119:139; Ga 4:18. Christ claims the first place in -- Mt 10:37; Lu 14:26. Enkindled by communion with Christ -- Lu 24:32. Blessedness of making God the object of -- Ps 91:14. Should not grow cold -- P”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Anger — The emotion of instant displeasure on account of something evil that presents itself to our view. In itself it is an original susceptibility of our nature, just as love is, and is not necessarily sinful. It may, however, become sinful when causeless, or excessive, or protracted (Matt. 5:22; Eph. 4:26; Col. 3:8). As ascribed to God, it merely denotes his displeasure with sin and with sinners (Ps. 7:11).”
- Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 8:6 (BBE) — For every purpose there is a time and a decision, because the sorrow of man is great in him.”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 16:7: given me counsel--cared for me. my reins--the supposed seat of emotion and thought (Psa 7:9; Psa 26:2). instruct me--or, excite to acts of praise (Isa 53:11-12; Heb 12:2).”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 22:42: 22:42 please take this cup of suffering away: A cup is a metaphor for experiencing either judgment or blessing (see, e.g., Pss 23:5; 75:8; 116:13; Isa 51:17). Jesus felt all the emotions of his humanity, including fear and anxiety.”
- Ecclesiastes (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ecclesiastes 9:11: This verse qualifies the sentiment, Ecc 9:7-9. Earthly "enjoyments," however lawful in their place (Ecc 3:1), are to give way when any work to be done for God requires it. Reverting to the sentiment (Ecc 8:17), we ought, therefore, not only to work God's work "with might" (Ecc 9:10), but also with the feeling that the event is wholly "in God's hand" (Ecc 9:1). race . . . not to the swift-- (Sa2 18:23); spiritually (Zep 3:19; Rom 9:16). nor . . . battle to . . . strong-- (Sa1 17:47; Ch2 14:9, Ch2 14:11, Ch2 14:15; Psa 33:16). bread--liveliho”
- Ecclesiastes (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ecclesiastes 7:3: Sorrow--such as arises from serious thoughts of eternity. laughter--reckless mirth (Ecc 2:2). by the sadness . . . better-- (Psa 126:5-6; Co2 4:17; Heb 12:10-11). MAURER translates: "In sadness of countenance there is (may be) a good (cheerful) heart." So Hebrew, for "good," equivalent to "cheerful" (Ecc 11:9); but the parallel clause supports English Version.”