When I was 19 I asked myself this question :”If logic vs emotion which will win?”, at that point of my life I thought logic will always prevail against emotions. In many cases logic will make the “better” choice morally,financially…etc. Man no matter the gender, will always take the choice that “feels” good instead of what OUGHT to be done. Example : Why would a multi-millionaire with a happy family like Tiger woods commit adultery? Why would a senior pastor murder his girl friend?……
Jeremiah 17:9 (New International Version)
9 The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?
When we talk about “Heart” we deal with Emotion! To me if I am made to define emotion I would say it is an instrument that AMPLIFIES an action, whether if it’s a choice,decision or deed done. Emotions adds satisfaction to the choice being made.
Whereas logic is “hard”, “right”… logic points out what SHOULD be done to get the best results. Those were my thoughts when I was on the bus one day, I thank God for showing me certain principles to learn. The thing is man is stubborn, if you give them a choice, chances are they will take the easy and the path of instant-gratification. That includes myself, so throughout my journey as a believer I will at times try to rationalise if my choices are by emotion or logic and most important is it right in sight of God.
Still, emotions are not all bad at all. But due to the sinful nature of man, our emotions are corrupted so it is really IMPORTANT to CHECK your emotions. Use the Word of God (BIBLE) to refer and ask church people for affirmation, why church people? BECAUSE it’s the church people are the ones that can help you the most, the world people may be good friends and confidants but they will not be able to give you the “best” choice which is in the point of a believer and right in sight of God!
Proverbs 27:17 (New International Version)
17 As iron sharpens iron,
so one man sharpens another.
Oh ya I forgot to point out, EVEN logic may be ”flawed” at times hahas….As I pointed out in the beginning, man is corrupt so even our ”logic” may not be logical at times hahaha…. So it really points to our God! Hallelujah
we have God to guide our paths !
That is definitely an advantage we Christians have over other people and nations.
Psalm 119:105 (New International Version)
n Nun
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.
Let me ask you a question, “If the God that made the universe so precisely and intelligently, personally coach and guide you through out the way, and not only that, He bless you with all the best and give you great company of like-minded people, will you then make a wrong move?” NEVER!
If God guides you, then you will never fail for He is God
Now the question is are we willing to follow? When God leads you to make a decision, you may “feel” like doing it but God tells you NO, are you willing to accept?
Sis and Bros, don’t let your emotions, or should I say “heart” fool you. The heart may say :” Go ahead, do it, sin against God” and it promises a “reward” but after that is only much pain and suffering. I believe most of us have experienced this. At the end of the day God will always be the better choice.
I like how Yeuann put it, Yeuann:”Emotions are “Rocket Fuel”, Logic is the “Rocket”…. Emotions are powerful and it convicts you of the action……”
I’d like to add-on one more thing, Logic=Rocket, Emotions=Rocket Fuel, God=GPS system! Why are emotions able to convict you of an action?
Example: You go for a massage, and you feel great! Why is it so? Because the masseuse are pressing all the “right” spots and pressure points. So when you do something right, emotions “confirm” your action but your sense of “right” and “wrong” may be morally right or wrong too…..
So I end this post with some questions to think about…
1) Are you choices being made rationally and balanced or irrational?
2) Are you letting God do His work; to guide you?
3) Are the choices right in sight of God?
Notice I didn’t use the word “morally” right, because I know that the point is that we cannot be “moral” by ourselves, only through God….The word points out that we are saved not by our works but by God LEST we become arrogant!
So the emphasis is still the RELATIONSHIP with God!