Scriptural Basis for Feeling Used by Others Emotionally
The experience of feeling used by others emotionally is not directly addressed in the Bible as a specific concept, but various scriptural passages and theological interpretations speak to related themes of suffering, affliction, and the emotional states of individuals within community. The Bible frequently discusses the suffering of the righteous and the actions of those who cause distress.
The Psalms, for instance, contain numerous expressions of distress and pleas for divine intervention against those who rejoice at the psalmist's calamity or seek to harm them [4, 5]. These passages reflect a deep emotional pain caused by others' actions and attitudes. The prophet Jeremiah also describes the scorn and mocking he endured for declaring God's word, highlighting the emotional toll of such experiences [6].
The New Testament further explores the nature of suffering and its role in the Christian life. Paul, in 2 Corinthians, speaks of being afflicted for the comfort and salvation of others, suggesting that personal suffering can serve a greater purpose [2]. He also takes pleasure in weaknesses, injuries, persecutions, and distresses for Christ's sake, indicating a spiritual perspective that can transform the experience of being "used" or afflicted [3]. Hebrews 2:18 states that Christ, having suffered and been tempted, is able to help those who are tempted [1]. This verse, as interpreted by Adam Clarke, suggests that Christ's own experience of suffering makes him compassionate and able to succor those who are sorely tried [12]. This divine empathy provides a framework for understanding and responding to personal emotional pain.
The concept of "affections" or "feelings" is recognized in biblical interpretation as a significant aspect of human experience. Charles Hodge notes that the word "heart" in Scripture often refers to feelings or affections [11]. While some affections can be "vile" or "inordinate," Christians are called to set their affections on "things above" [9]. The Bible also describes the compassion and sympathy of Christ for the weary, weak, tempted, afflicted, and poor, offering a model for how individuals should relate to those in distress [10]. Believers are encouraged to pray for, sympathize with, pity, and comfort the afflicted [7].
While the Bible does not explicitly use the phrase "feeling used emotionally," it provides extensive material on the nature of human emotions, suffering caused by others, and the divine response to such experiences. It also offers guidance on how believers should navigate and find meaning in their afflictions [8].
Sources
- Hebrews “For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted. -- Hebrews 2:18”
- 2 Corinthians “But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer. -- 2 Corinthians 1:6”
- 2 Corinthians “Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong. -- 2 Corinthians 12:10”
- Psalms “Let them be disappointed and confounded together who rejoice at my calamity. Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves against me. -- Psalms 35:26”
- Psalms “Let my accusers be disappointed and consumed. Let them be covered with disgrace and scorn who want to harm me. -- Psalms 71:13”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scorning and Mocking — The sufferings of Christ by, predicted -- Ps 22:6-8; Isa 53:3; Lu 18:32. Christ endured -- Mt 9:24; 27:29. Saints endure, on account of Being children of God. -- Ge 21:9; Ga 4:29. Their uprightness. -- Job 12:4. Their faith. -- Heb 11:36. Their faithfulness in declaring the word of God. -- Jer 20:7,8. Their zeal for God's house. -- Ne 2:19. The wicked indulge in, against The second coming of Christ. -- 2Pe 3:3,4. The gifts of the Spirit. -- Ac 2:13. God's threatening. -- Isa 5:19; Jer 17:15. God's ministers. -- 2Ch 36:16. God's ordinances. -- L”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflicted, Duty Toward The — To pray for them -- Ac 12:5; Php 1:16,19; Jas 5:14-16. To sympathise with them -- Ro 12:15; Ga 6:2. To pity them -- Job 6:14. To bear them in mind -- Heb 13:3. To visit them -- Jas 1:27. To comfort them -- Job 16:5; 29:25; 2Co 1:4; 1Th 4:18. To relieve them -- Job 31:19,20; Isa 58:10; Php 4:14; 1Ti 5:10. To protect them -- Ps 82:3; Pr 22:22; 31:5.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions Made Beneficial — In promoting the glory of God -- Joh 9:1-3; 11:3,4; 21:18,19. In exhibiting the power and faithfulness of God -- Ps 34:19,20; 2Co 4:8-11. In teaching us the will of God -- Ps 119:71; Isa 26:9; Mic 6:9. In turning us to God -- De 4:30,31; Ne 1:8,9; Ps 78:34; Isa 10:20,21; Ho 2:6,7. In keeping us from again departing from God -- Job 34:31,32; Isa 10:20; Eze 14:10,11. In leading us to seek God in prayer -- Jdj 4:3; Jer 31:18; La 2:17-19; Ho 5:14,15; Jon 2:1. In convincing us of sin -- Job 36:8,9; Ps 119:67; Lu 15:16-18. In leading us to con”
- 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: Compassion and Sympathy of Christ, The — Necessary to his priestly office -- Heb 5:2,7. Manifested for the Weary and heavy-laden. -- Mt 11:28-30. Weak in faith. -- Isa 40:11; 42:3; Mt 12:20. Tempted. -- Heb 2:18. Afflicted. -- Lu 7:13; Joh 11:33,35. Diseased. -- Mt 14:14; Mr 1:41. Poor. -- Mr 8:2. Perishing sinners. -- Mt 9:36; Lu 19:41; Joh 3:16. An encouragement to prayer -- Heb 4:15.”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 140: do them.” Jeremiah xxiv. 7 , “I will give them an heart to know me. The Psalmist prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” ( Ps. li. 10 .) It is admitted that the word heart, like all other familiar terms, is used in different senses in the Scriptures. It often means the whole soul; as when mention is made of the eyes, the thoughts, and the intentions of the heart. It very frequently means the feelings or affections, or is used collectively for them all, or for the seat of the feelings. A cold, hard”
- Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 2:18: For in that he himself hath suffered - The maxim on which this verse is founded is the following: A state of suffering disposes persons to be compassionate, and those who endure most afflictions are they who feel most for others. The apostle argues that, among other causes, it was necessary that Jesus Christ should partake of human nature, exposed to trials, persecutions, and various sufferings, that he might the better feel for and be led to succor those who are afflicted and sorely tried. This sentiment is well expressed by a Roman poet: - Me quoque per multas s”