A few people believe that emotions are evil. Many people believe they are a lot of trouble. In either case, that’s because so few people take the time to read their Bible to see all the emotions in it. Nor do they identify, name and study their own emotions.
Some people identify emotions by putting them in two categories: 1. Negative or 2. Positive. Negative emotions are attributed to Satan; Positive, to God.
However, since emotions originate from within the human spirit (see lesson #12 & 13, Christ Quest Institute) and knowing that they wouldn’t even exist if God had not created them (Colossians 1:16); how about, this week, let’s identify, name and study one emotion a day from the Bible.
#1. Deuteronomy 28:63 (KJV) “And it shall come to pass, that as the Lord rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the Lord will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought (nothing); and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it.” (Parenthesis mine)
Wow! That’s quite a pronouncement. Let’s look at the word rejoice in the Hebrew: it is suws or siys, which means: to be bright, cheerful, be glad, joy, rejoice, to feel triumphant. Notice, all these emotions originate with God.
Isn’t it obvious that God will experience all those emotions towards us; especially the triumphant part. Actually, the choice is ours as to whether or not He experiences those emotions as a result of our Christ-like obedience or our unChrist-like disobedience.
#2. “Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on His throne, to be king for the Lord thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them forever, therefore made He thee king over them, to do judgment and justice.” 2 Chronicles 9:8 (KJV)
Again, we see these emotions originating from within God’s Spirit. (John 4:24, “God is a Spirit…”) (KJV) So, let’s look at the Hebrew word for delighted. It is, chaphets, which means: to be inclined towards, to be well pleased with, delighted, favored.
I don’t think God reserves these emotions for King David only. They are also available to all those in whom God has great confidence; because they are conducting themselves in such a way that they illustrate Christ-like leadership.
If he were alive today, I can imagine God would want Ezra (who is believed to be the writer of this book) to be able to make that same announcement to every Christ-like husband; Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on His throne, (as His representative) to be king for the Lord thy God: because thy God loves (your wife) and He wants to establish (her… in your heart) forever, therefore made He thee king over (her), to do judgment and justice (in His name; to literally illustrate Christ Himself to her).”
May I add, only your wife can be the judge as to whether or not she feels like she is being cared for as Christ would care for her!
#3. “O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.” Psalms 38:1 (KJV)
The Hebrew for wrath is chemah. It means, rage: as if foaming at the mouth, indignation, wrath. This is pretty severe.
This time, all these emotions are originating from within the spirit of King David. What could have happened that would make this desperate appeal necessary. Can you imagine David trembling at the thought of what it sounds like he is expecting? Can you feel the repentance he’s demonstrating? Do you think God will be influenced by his repentance?
Since every human being will act like a human being; running the risk of finding ourselves in David’s “shoes” (or should I say sandals); how does a person avoid being a source of displeasure to God? How about implementing the words of David found in Psalms 119:11: “Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (KJV) (Notice that Psalms 119 was written after 38… I guess David learned.)
Notice, it doesn’t say, “never will again” but “might not.” This is why God, in His enormous graciousness provided us with a Savior, Jesus Christ.
One more point, since we all will “fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) as a husband I need to remember that; so I don’t get critical of my wife or any family member when they (like me) make mistakes.
#4. “The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3 (KJV)
This time it’s Jeremiah recording emotions. As a prophet, he’s announcing who God is and how God feels (and has always felt for centuries) about those who are His. Jeremiah is passing on to the Jews (and us too) God’s deepest heart felt emotions; love, being loved and lovingkindness.
The Hebrew for the word love is ahav, which means: an everlasting affection, giving of self, beloved.
At our Discovery Seminar and in our Christ Quest Institute we present the Ancient Hebrew translation of the word love which gives an even deeper and incredibly richer meaning to God’s love for us! It has to do with His revealing His character to us and letting us participate in it for ministering to others.
As a parent, the only thing that distracts that flow of love, that giving of self, is disobedience. Recalling #1, Deuteronomy 28:63… evidently that is true for God too. Along with Paul, because of my disobedience, I’m grateful for having a Savior, Jesus Christ.
#5. “And, when He had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, He saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.” Mark 3:5 (KJV)
This time it’s Jesus who’s experiencing the emotions. What is the Greek word for anger? It is orge, which means: excitement of the mind, violent passion, justifiable abhorrence, wrath.
Too often I’ve heard men get angry, especially at their wife, and say, “It’s ok for me to get angry… Jesus did!” But notice, Jesus is angry because those who were supposed to be representing God (as religious leaders) resented Him for illustrating godliness by being Christ-like and bringing healing.
Especially if a he’s supposed to be the “religious leader” in his home, I have a hard time believing that a wife whose husband is acting angrily at her, would think he’s illustrating godliness; being Christ-like and bringing healing to their relationship.
This verse illustrates that thwarting Christ can incur His justifiable abhorrence and wrath. I sure wouldn’t want to be the one who causes that!
#6. “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace…” Galatians 1:15 (KJV)
Let’s look at the Greek word for pleased; it is, eudokeo, which means: to think well of, to approve, be well pleased, take pleasure in.
Although Paul’s writes about God “calling him out” to be a missionary, I want to emphasize and draw attention to Paul recorded that God was pleased to do so even before Paul was born.
Do you think that God only takes pleasure in a few people before they are even born? Do you think (before they are even born) He only has plans for a few people; to be benefited as they accomplish His purposes through them?
Matthew 22:14 tells us, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” Why are only a few chosen? Because everyone is not willing to submit themselves to God and challenge themselves to be an illustration of Christ; especially an illustration of Christ to their wife… that his wife can validate that he literally is an example of Christ top her.
Just like a parent loves their child, even when he is disobedient; while also longing to be pleased with them; so too, God loves us even when we are disobedient; while also longing to be pleased with us.
If we have not already, we could pledge that will strive to become Christ-like in everything we do. Then, as God said of Jesus in Matthew 3:17, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased;” being His children, He could be pleased with us too.
#7. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)
This verse amazes me! “Who for the joy that was set before Him…” Consider, “set before Him!” He knew exactly what He was here for: an excruciating death… by crucifixion and He considered it joy!?
I’ve got to know what the Greek word for joy is. It’s chara, which means: cheerfulness, calm delight, gladness, exceeding joy, joyfulness.
Here’s my belief about what motivated Jesus. Jesus knew, from experience, how much God loves us. So, His delight was not in the death by crucifixion; it was in knowing he was going to bless God by restoring the relationship between man and God. He was delighted with the knowledge that He was going to give God back the relationship that was lost at “The Fall.” Jesus was willing to overlook the cost in order to give a gift of reconciliation to His Father and to mankind.
The cost has already been paid. Will mankind accept that payment and receive the free gift of Salvation? Will mankind surrender to God and allow Him to be God of their life? Will they decide to become a walking talking illustration of the Christ who died for them? I have! Join me in the greatest relationship builder I’ve ever experienced.