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Tension between Emotions and Obedience in Christian Living

Christian living often involves a dynamic interplay between emotions and obedience, where believers are called to align their inner states and outward actions with divine will. This alignment is not always straightforward, as human emotions can sometimes conflict with the demands of obedience.

The Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of obedience to God and Christ. For instance, believers are exhorted to obey God (Luke 1:6; 1 John 5:3) and Christ (John 14:21; 15:14) [1]. This obedience is presented as a fundamental aspect of Christian conduct, alongside believing God, fearing God, loving God, and following God's example [1]. Similarly, children are instructed to obey their parents in the Lord (Ephesians 6:1), and this obedience is described as more "unreasoning and implicit" than the submission expected of wives to husbands [8, 10]. The relationship between spiritual leaders and church members also involves obedience, with members exhorted to obey their leaders who watch over their souls [7]. This obedience is rooted in a "reverential fear of displeasing Christ" [11].

However, human emotions can present challenges to this call for obedience. The Bible identifies certain emotions and dispositions as contrary to godly living. Anger, for example, is forbidden (Ecclesiastes 7:9; Matthew 5:22; Romans 12:19) and is listed as a "work of the flesh" (Galatians 5:20) [4]. It is associated with pride, cruelty, clamor, evil-speaking, malice, blasphemy, strife, and contention [4]. Similarly, strife itself is forbidden (Proverbs 3:30; 25:8) and is also considered a "work of the flesh" (Galatians 5:20), indicating a carnal spirit (1 Corinthians 3:3) [2]. These negative emotions can arise from various sources, including hatred, pride, wrath, frowardness, and lusts [2]. The presence of such emotions can create tension with the command to obey, as they can lead individuals away from righteous conduct.

The concept of "fear and trembling" is used in scripture to describe an anxious conscientiousness in performing duty, rather than personal fear [12]. This suggests an emotional state that, while intense, is directed towards obedience and pleasing God. For example, Paul's inward affection for the Corinthians was met with their "obedience" and "fear and trembling," indicating a respectful anxiety to comply with his wishes and avoid offending him [9]. This kind of "fear of Christ" is also presented as the basis for mutual submission among believers (Ephesians 5:21) [3, 11].

The Christian life calls for a transformation of the inner person, which includes managing and redirecting emotions. For instance, believers are encouraged to cultivate "temperance," which involves a proper and limited use of earthly enjoyments and keeping every sense under restraint, preventing the "animal part to subjugate the rational" [13]. This implies a conscious effort to control emotional impulses that might lead to disobedience. "Patience" is also highlighted as bearing trials and difficulties with an "even mind," enduring and persevering [13]. These virtues are essential for navigating the emotional landscape of Christian living and maintaining obedience.

Resignation, or submission to God's will, is another aspect where emotions and obedience intersect. Christ himself set an example of resignation (Matthew 26:39-44; John 12:27; 18:11) [6]. Believers are commanded to exhibit resignation through submission to God's will, His sovereignty, the prospect of death, loss of goods, loss of children, chastisements, and bodily suffering [6]. This requires an emotional posture of trust and acceptance, even in the face of difficult circumstances, rather than succumbing to despair or rebellion. The wicked, in contrast, are described as devoid of such resignation [6].

The tension between emotions and obedience is not necessarily a call to suppress all emotions, but rather to align them with God's purposes. The Bible acknowledges that emotions are a part of the human experience. For example, God's own anger is described as righteous (Psalm 58:10-11; Lamentations 1:18; Romans 2:6,8) and is averted by Christ for those who believe (John 3:14-18; Romans 3:25; 5:1) [5]. This suggests that anger itself is not inherently sinful, but its expression and motivation are crucial. Human anger, however, is often forbidden and associated with negative outcomes [4]. The distinction lies in whether emotions lead to sin or are brought under the control of the Holy Spirit, guiding believers towards obedience.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Strife — Christ, an example of avoiding -- Isa 42:2; Mt 12:15-19; Lu 9:52-56; 1Pe 2:23. Forbidden -- Pr 3:30; 25:8. A work of the flesh -- Ga 5:20. An evidence of a carnal spirit -- 1Co 3:3. Existed in the church -- 1Co 1:11. Excited by Hatred. -- Pr 10:12. Pride. -- Pr 13:10; 28:25. Wrath. -- Pr 15:18; 30:33. Frowardness. -- Pr 16:28. A contentious disposition. -- Pr 26:21. Tale-bearing. -- Pr 26:20. Drunkenness. -- Pr 23:29,30. Lusts. -- Jas 4:1. Curious questions. -- 1Ti 6:4; 2Ti 2:23. Scorning. -- Pr 22:10. Difficulty of stopping, a reason for avoiding it -- Pr 1”
  3. Ephesians “Ephesians 5:21 (BBE) — Letting yourselves be ruled by one another in the fear of Christ.”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Anger — Forbidden -- Ec 7:9; Mt 5:22; Ro 12:19. A work of the flesh -- Ga 5:20. A characteristic of fools -- Pr 12:16; 14:29; 27:3; Ec 7:9. Connected with Pride. -- Pr 21:24. Cruelty. -- Ge 49:7; Pr 27:3,4. Clamour and evil-speaking. -- Eph 4:31. Malice and blasphemy. -- Col 3:8. Strife and contention. -- Pr 21:19; 29:22; 30:33. Brings its own punishment -- Job 5:2; Pr 19:19; 25:28. Grievous words stir up -- Jdj 12:4; 2Sa 19:43; Pr 15:1. Should not betray us into sin -- Ps 37:8; Eph 4:26. In prayer be free from -- 1Ti 2:8. May be averted by wisdom -- Pr 29:8. Meeknes”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Anger of God, The — Averted by Christ -- Lu 2:11,14; Ro 5:9; 2Co 5:18,19; Eph 2:14,17; Col 1:20; 1Th 1:10. Is averted from them that believe -- Joh 3:14-18; Ro 3:25; 5:1. Is averted upon confession of sin and repentance -- Job 33:27,28; Ps 106:43-45; Jer 3:12,13; 18:7,8; 31:18-20; Joe 2:12-14; Lu 15:18-20. Is slow -- Ps 103:8; Isa 48:9; Jon 4:2; Na 1:3. Is righteous -- Ps 58:10,11; La 1:18; Ro 2:6,8; 3:5,6; Re 16:6,7. The justice of, not to be questioned -- Ro 9:18,20,22. Manifested in terrors -- Ex 14:24; Ps 76:6-8; Jer 10:10; La 2:20-22. Manifested in judgments and”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
  7. Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 13:17: 13:17 The relationship between the spiritual leaders and the members of the church may have been strained, so the author exhorts the members to obey them and do what they say. • The Greek word translated obey can also mean follow, place confidence in, or be persuaded by. • Christian leaders watch over people’s souls (Acts 20:28-31; 1 Pet 5:1-4), a role that carries grave responsibility, making them accountable to God (Jas 3:1). • The word sorrow could be translated groaning; it speaks of emotional burden and stress. Having leaders who are stressed and burdened b”
  8. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 6:1: 6:1-4 The relationship between parents and children is to be a reflection of their devotion to the Lord. Christian children are to obey their parents, and Christian parents are to discipline their children gently (see Col 3:20-21).”
  9. 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 7:15: his inward affection--literally, "bowels" (compare Co2 6:12; Phi 1:8; Phi 2:1; Col 3:12). obedience-- (Co2 2:9). fear and trembling--with trembling anxiety to obey my wishes, and fearful lest there should be aught in yourselves to offend him and me (Co2 7:11; compare Co1 2:3).”
  10. Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 6 (introduction): MUTUAL DUTIES OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN: MASTERS AND SERVANTS: OUR LIFE A WARFARE: THE SPIRITUAL ARMOUR NEEDED AGAINST SPIRITUAL FOES. CONCLUSION. (Eph. 6:1-24) obey--stronger than the expression as to wives, "submitting," or "being subject" (Eph 5:21). Obedience is more unreasoning and implicit; submission is the willing subjection of an inferior in point of order to one who has a right to command. in the Lord--Both parents and children being Christians "in the Lord," expresses the element in which the obedience is to take place, and t”
  11. Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:21: (Phi 2:3; Pe1 5:5.) Here he passes from our relations to God, to those which concern our fellow men. in the fear of God--All the oldest manuscripts and authorities read, "in the fear of CHRIST." The believer passes from under the bondage of the law as a letter, to be "the servant of Christ" (Co1 7:22), which, through the instinct of love to Him, is really to be "the Lord's freeman"; for he is "under the law to Christ" (Co1 9:21; compare Joh 8:36). Christ, not the Father (Joh 5:22), is to be our judge. Thus reverential fear of displeasing Him is th”
  12. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 2:3: I--the preacher: as Co1 2:2 describes the subject, "Christ crucified," and Co1 2:4 the mode of preaching: "my speech . . . not with enticing words," "but in demonstration of the Spirit." weakness--personal and bodily (Co2 10:10; Co2 12:7, Co2 12:9; Gal 4:13). trembling--(compare Phi 2:12). Not personal fear, but a trembling anxiety to perform a duty; anxious conscientiousness, as proved by the contrast to "eye service" (Eph 6:5) [CONYBEARE and HOWSON].”
  13. 2 Peter (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Peter 1:6: Temperance - A proper and limited use of all earthly enjoyments, keeping every sense under proper restraints, and never permitting the animal part to subjugate the rational. Patience - Bearing all trials and difficulties with an even mind, enduring in all, and persevering through all. Godliness - Piety towards God; a deep, reverential, religious fear; not only worshipping God with every becoming outward act, but adoring, loving, and magnifying him in the heart: a disposition indispensably necessary to salvation, but exceedingly rare among professors.”
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