Every action and reaction come with emotions included.
Just because we are Christians, we cannot assume that our inner-feelings are instant and true guides in all situations. Feelings can be manipulated. We tend to think better of those who bless us and think less of those who curse us—we all know that! Instead, with hearts tuned to wanting the best for everyone, we control our emotions until we have all the facts.
As bearers of the Image and Light of Christ we offer, by our very presence, the way out of darkness. Of course, we are not robots, we express our faith in words and actions filled with the emotions of the moment. We cannot turnoff our feelings about the good and the bad that happens around us, and it would be wrong to do so.
How much control we have over our emotions is a clear indicator of our maturity in Christ. Not only Elders are to have long fuses, and to keep their hands to themselves.
There is no room for mind games. Ignoring or avoiding people is not an option. There is little difference between immediate dislike and remote malice. The stronger the heart desires the failure of another, the sooner it will show. Conversely, the stronger the heart desires the success of another, the sooner that will show too; we prayerfully strive for the latter.
The best way to monitor the state of your emotional maturity in Christ is to check the expression on your face when you think about your brethren. This is how Paul expressed his feelings:
“Our life is really full if you stand strong in the Lord. We have so much joy before our God because of you. We cannot thank him enough for all the joy we feel. Night and day we continue praying with all our heart that we can see you again and give you all the things you need to make your faith strong” (1 Thessalonians 3:8-10NCV).
John Staiger
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