by Ian Rice
Synopsis: While emotions often get us into trouble, they can be a powerful and positive force if properly expressed and regulated according to the principles and precepts of God.
Far too often, emotions have been allowed to dictate what occurs during the assembly of religious-minded people (1 Cor. 12, 14). Thus, some denominations fail to keep order in the assembly. Moreover, some people will allow their emotions to cloud proper reasoning of the Scriptures, intellectually (Prov. 14:12; Isa. 1:18; Rom. 2:5). While we must seek to rule our spirit (Prov. 25:28), let's also recognize that, at times, leaders among God's people need to express their emotions outwardly.
Consider Ezra, the man who restored the purity of worship during the return from captivity. When informed of how the Israelites had intermarried with their pagan neighbors, Ezra responded with a great outpouring of grief before the Lord (Ezra 9:1-15). Ezra not only expressed grief to God, but also expressed great emotion and sternness while convincing the people of their need to repent (Ezra 10:1-17).
Nehemiah, another prophet during the return from captivity, was tasked with rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. He also sternly told his brethren that they "knew better" than to engage in the sins they were committing. Nehemiah said,
So I contended with them and cursed them, struck some of them and pulled out their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, "You shall not give your daughters as wives to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons or yourselves. Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations there was no king like him, who was beloved of his God; and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless pagan women caused even him to sin. Should we then hear of your doing all this great evil, transgressing against our God by marrying pagan women?" (Neh. 13:25-27, NKJV).
We must be sure that we keep our emotions pure, and certainly "in check," but the Scriptures do teach that there are times in which the people who "know better"—need to be corrected with a stern approach. There are also times in which God's people need to see their leaders express emotion, indeed.
During the beginning—and near the end—of His earthly ministry, Jesus displayed righteous anger while openly addressing sin in the temple (John 2:13-22; Matt. 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-17; Luke 19:45-46). Those circumstances brought outward manifestations of emotion and sternness by our Lord. These expressions of righteous anger certainly got the sobering attention of all who were present! Furthermore, these accounts still impress upon us today the seriousness of God's expectations (Rom. 11:22).
Now, you and I must be very careful not to sin while expressing anger (Eph. 4:26; Jas. 1:20). Yet, sinful practices and attitudes must be addressed today, lest the temple, i.e., the church, become/remain defiled (1 Cor. 5:1-13). When addressing their carnal-minded bickering over preachers, Paul admonished the Corinthians, "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are" (1 Cor. 3:16-17). Indeed, there are times when leaders among God's people must express emotion.
The apostle Paul is well spoken of today for his boldness and passion (Acts 20:31). Why should we endeavor to be any less bold and passionate (1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1)? When men secretly tried to discredit him, Paul addressed them openly (2 Cor. 10:10-11). However, Paul's motive in defending himself was not at all based on pride (2 Cor. 12:11). He understood that God's work was much larger than any one man (1 Cor. 3:5-7). Yet, Paul also knew that he had been blessed with a very important task (Eph. 3:8-12). As a preacher of the gospel (2 Tim. 1:11), he sought to satisfy men's expectations up to a point (1 Cor. 8-10; 2 Cor. 11:6-8); yet, Paul also understood that, if he allowed his integrity to be impugned, then his teaching and influence among faithful saints would be damaged, and souls would suffer (2 Cor. 11:16-33; 12:1-21). Paul was keenly aware that factious men would wreak havoc on the work of the church, so he reluctantly defended his character with fervor and sternness! Indeed, there are times when leaders among God's people must express emotion.
A word of caution… We must be careful not to allow our emotions to become interpreted as sensationalism (Matt. 6:1). Furthermore, we should frequently evaluate our reactions and motives in response to personal hurts (Matt. 6:43-48; Heb. 12:15). That being said, there are times that God's people need to see their leaders express emotion (Eccles. 3:1-8).
Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem disqualified. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete. Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction. Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you (2 Cor. 13:7-11).
Author Bio: Ian has worked with the Lakeland Hills Boulevard church of Christ in Lakeland, FL for seven years. He and his wife, Keri, have three children. The church website is lakelandhillschurchofchrist.com. He can be reached at imrice0923@gmail.com.
