MANAGING OUR EMOTIONS BIBLICALLY (PART ONE)

MANAGING OUR EMOTIONS BIBLICALLY PART ONE

Ephesians 4:1–32; Jude 1:3

Theme: “Be no more children, tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine…” (Ephesians 4:14)

INTRODUCTION — THE AGE OF EMOTIONAL WHIPLASH

We are living in a moment where emotions are not just present—they are weaponized.

• The Charlie Kirk shooting and its aftermath
• The rise of Christian nationalism
• The intensifying left-right ideological wars
• The culture-war machinery that thrives on outrage

All of these reveal something deeper: emotions are driving people more than truth is. And tragically, Christians—who should be the most grounded, discerning, and spiritually stable—are often the first to be swept into the storm.

It is as if we have forgotten that Satan’s schemes often begin by stirring emotions that override Scripture.

The American Psychological Association defines emotions as “complex reaction patterns involving experiential, behavioural, and physiological elements.” In simple terms: emotions are powerful, but they are not always truthful.

And when emotions become our compass, we become exactly what Paul warned against:

“Children, tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine…” (Ephesians 4:14)

I. THE PROBLEM: EMOTIONAL INSTABILITY LEADS TO SPIRITUAL INSTABILITY

Paul uses the imagery of:

• Children — immature, easily influenced
• Waves — unstable, unpredictable
• Winds of doctrine — ideas, ideologies, and influences
• Sleight of men — manipulation
• Cunning craftiness — deception

This is not just about false teaching—it’s about emotional vulnerability.

When believers:

• React instead of discern
• Follow personalities instead of Scripture
• Respond to outrage instead of truth
• Let emotions dictate theology

…they become spiritually unstable.

And the world sees it.

II. THREE ANCHORS FOR EMOTIONAL MATURITY (Ephesians 4:1–32)

Paul gives us three stabilizing anchors to keep us from being tossed around.

1. Ephesians 4:1–7 — The Oneness of the Body of Christ

Unity is not emotional—it is doctrinal.

Paul calls us to:

• Humility
• Gentleness
• Patience
• Bearing with one another
• Maintaining unity

These are not emotional reactions—they are Spirit-produced disciplines.

When believers forget the oneness of the body, emotions take over:

• Tribalism
• Factionalism
• Personality-driven loyalty
• Outrage culture

Unity stabilizes emotions.

2. Ephesians 4:8–16 — The Role of Pastors and Leaders

God gave leaders to the church for a reason:

• To equip
• To mature
• To stabilize
• To protect

Pastors are not entertainers. They are not political commentators. They are not culture-war generals.

They are shepherds.

Their job is to help believers grow so they are not tossed to and fro.

When Christians follow influencers instead of shepherds, emotions take the throne.

3. Ephesians 4:17–32 — The Word of God as Final Authority

• Paul says:
• Put off the old self
• Be renewed in the mind
• Put on the new self
• Speak truth
• Control anger
• Avoid corrupt speech
• Forgive as Christ forgave

This is emotional discipleship.

The Word of God—not emotions—must be the final authority in:

• How we think
• How we respond
• How we speak
• How we interpret events
• How we treat others

When Scripture is not the authority, emotions become the authority.

III. THE CALL OF JUDE: CONTEND FOR THE FAITH (Jude 1:3)

Jude wanted to write a letter of encouragement. But the Holy Spirit redirected him.

Why?

Because false teachers were infiltrating the church—not with logic, but with emotionally manipulative distortions.

Jude uses the Greek word epagonizomai—a term from the athletic arena:

• Wrestling
• Striving
• Fighting
• Exerting every effort

This is not passive. This is not emotional. This is disciplined, intentional, doctrinal warfare.

Jude says:

• Defend the faith
• Guard the truth
• Resist emotional manipulation
• Reject false teaching
• Stand firm in apostolic doctrine

This is the opposite of being “tossed to and fro.”

IV. WHY THIS MATTERS TODAY

Many Christians today:

• Follow personalities instead of Scripture
• React emotionally instead of discerning biblically
• Defend ideologies instead of the gospel
• Confuse political passion with spiritual conviction
• Allow emotions to override truth

This is exactly what Paul and Jude warned against.

When Christians are driven by emotions:

• Truth becomes secondary
• Unity collapses
• Discernment disappears
• False teachers thrive

culture wars replace kingdom mission

And the world sees a church that looks more like a storm than a sanctuary.

CONCLUSION — A CALL TO SPIRITUAL ADULTHOOD

Paul says: “Be no more children…”

Jude says: “Contend earnestly for the faith…”

Together they call us to:

• Wmotional maturity
• Doctrinal stability
• Spiritual discernment
• Unity in truth
• Dependence on Scripture
• Resistance to manipulation

The church does not need more emotional reactions. It needs more biblically anchored believers.

The world does not need more outrage. It needs more Spirit-led stability.

And God is calling His people—not to be tossed by the winds of the age—but to stand firm on the unchanging Word of God.

 MANAGING OUR EMOTIONS BIBLICALLY — PART TWO

Ephesians 4:1–32; Jude 1:3

INTRODUCTION — WHY EMOTIONAL DISCERNMENT MATTERS

If we are going to earnestly contend for the faith in a polarized, emotionally charged world, we must learn to manage our emotions biblically. The enemy preys on unguarded emotions. He manipulates feelings, inflames reactions, and uses emotional impulses to draw believers away from truth.

Biblical emotional maturity requires:

• Understanding key emotional dynamics
• Recognizing emotional traps
• Choosing God’s path over our feelings
• Submitting emotions to Scripture and the Spirit

Scripture gives us multiple examples of emotional crossroads—moments where people either followed their feelings or followed God.

Let’s walk through them.

I. RETRIBUTIVE JUSTICE VS EMPATHY

John 8 — The Woman Caught in Adultery

Retributive justice says: “She sinned. She must pay.” Empathy says: “She is broken. She needs mercy.”

The mob demanded blood:

• Manipulated by religious leaders
• Driven by self-righteousness
• Blind to their own sin
• Biased (they brought the woman, not the man)

This is what happens when emotions override Scripture.

Contrast this with the four lepers in 2 Kings 7. Rejected, starving, and marginalized, they stumbled upon God’s miraculous provision. At first, they hoarded it. But then conscience awakened:

“We do not well… this is a day of good tidings.” (2 Kings 7:9)

They chose empathy over resentment.

Lesson: When emotions demand vengeance, Scripture calls us to mercy.

II. EMOTIONS VS COMMON SENSE / REASON

Romans 8:31–32

Paul argues logically:

If God gave His Son, how shall He not freely give us all things?

Emotion says: “God has forgotten me.” Reason says: “He gave His Son—He will not abandon me now.”

Biblical reasoning stabilizes emotional storms.

III. EMOTIONS VS FAITH

John 20:24–29 — Thomas

Thomas needed to see before he would believe. Jesus gently corrected him:

“Blessed are they who have not seen, yet have believed.”

Faith is not emotional certainty. Faith is trusting God beyond what emotions can verify.

Abraham Lincoln captured this beautifully:

“Take all of God’s Word you can by reason, and the rest by faith.”

Faith fills the gap where reason ends.

IV. EMOTIONS VS REALITY

Our feelings often lie to us about:

• Time
• Youth
• Opportunity
• Mortality

Scripture confronts emotional illusions:

• Life is short — Job 14:1
• Number your days — Psalm 90:12
• Seek God early — Ecclesiastes 12:1
• If God wills — James 4:13–15
• Unless the Lord builds the house — Psalm 127:1

Life is fragile. Life is uncertain. Life is not ours to control.

Emotions must bow to reality—and reality must bow to God.

V. EMOTIONS VS GOD’S WORD

Genesis 3:4–7

Eve’s emotions were stirred by:

• Desire
• Curiosity
• Pride
• The appeal of independence

The serpent targeted her feelings, not her theology.

The result? Disaster.

Lesson: When emotions contradict God’s Word, emotions must die—not truth.

VI. EMOTIONS VS PRUDENCE

John 19:10–16 — Pilate

Pilate knew Jesus was innocent. But he feared:

• Political backlash
• Public opinion
• Caesar’s displeasure

Emotion overruled justice.

Herod did the same.

Lesson: Fear-driven decisions always betray righteousness.

VII. EMOTIONS VS THE VOICE OF GOD

1 Kings 19 — Elijah

Elijah had just defeated the prophets of Baal. But one threat from Jezebel sent him spiraling:

• Fear
• Exhaustion
• Despair
• Suicidal thoughts

He listened to his emotions instead of God.

Yet God met him—not in the wind, earthquake, or fire—but in a gentle whisper.

Lesson: God’s voice is clearest when emotions are quietest.

VIII. EMOTIONS VS THE SPIRIT

Philippians 3:1–14 — Paul

Paul warns: “Have no confidence in the flesh.”

He lists his credentials—heritage, zeal, law-keeping—and calls them dung compared to knowing Christ.

Paul understood:

• Emotions deceive
• Flesh misleads
• Pride blinds
• Only the Spirit stabilizes

So he presses toward the mark—not emotionally, but spiritually.

IX. EMOTIONS VS UNDERSTANDING

Job 42:1–3

Job confesses: “I uttered what I did not understand.”

In grief, he accused God. In pain, he misjudged God. In emotion, he spoke beyond knowledge.

But when God revealed Himself, Job repented.

Lesson: Emotions shrink when God enlarges our understanding.

CONCLUSION — THE CALL TO EMOTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP

Part 2 of this teaching shows us a pattern:

• Emotions are real
• Emotions are powerful
• Emotions are unreliable
• Emotions must be discipled

Biblical emotional maturity means:

• Choosing empathy over vengeance
• Choosing reason over panic
• Choosing faith over sight
• Choosing reality over illusion
• Choosing Scripture over feelings
• Choosing prudence over pressure
• Choosing God’s voice over fear
• Choosing the Spirit over the flesh
• Choosing understanding over emotional reaction

This is how we contend for the faith in a world ruled by feelings.

This is how we avoid being tossed to and fro.

This is how we grow into spiritual adulthood.