living beyond emotion…
Happy new year siblings in Christ, hopefully, the previous year was as fulfilling as this year is expected.
For anyone who desires fulfilment in the walk with Christ, emotions could be your number one enemy because they easily prevent us from following the mindset of God.
KJV, Rom 8:14
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
We can’t judge the morality of every action by how we feel and to be sincere, we will all testify that the Spirit of God that lives in us will always convince us to follow His leading instead of our emotions.
In the Spirit, we know what is right and what to do but the soul, where the thoughts and emotions reside will always have a different idea altogether.
KJV, 1Cor 15:31
31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
Apostle Paul talked about how he died daily, but do we even know what that means?
A practical example of dying to self daily goes like this, I was offended and hurt by Mr A and through the lens of the scenario I have every right to deprive him of some privileges or even keep grudges but by subjecting myself to that scripture above, I will choose to forgive and walk in love despite what Mr A has done to me or how I feel about it.
Another example is, I am a lady attracted to my fellow gender, it’s easy to accept that feeling and tell myself that I’m homosexual but in acknowledging the word I rather accept the Truth of what the word about homosexuality which leads to dying to self.
I may feel like pouting and feeling sorry for myself all day when I don’t get my way or what I want, but through Christ, I can choose to have a good attitude and trust God to get me whatever He wants me to have at a time.
Living beyond feelings will subject you to the Truth which is the Word of God and yes, dying daily is denying the flesh/self of what is not the Truth.
Whenever you go through things against your nature, remind yourself this, “I know the Truth and I know feelings”, “I know the fruit of the Spirit and I know the works of the flesh”. Listen, if worshipping, and honouring God and His Word brings His presence to abide with you, imagine allowing the things that counter all God represents.
Anger, unforgiveness, guilt, fear, shame, depression, hateful thoughts, bitterness, and addiction to sadness are not the Truth, they are works of the flesh. Living above this will be a huge stepping stone for those striving to walk in purity.
KJV, Gal 2:20
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Siblings, as Jesus dwells in this body of ours, we decrease so that He increases, and so that the fruit of Christ being residence in us may be seen – we no longer live in this body but Christ does. To genuinely live the life God has provided for us in Christ, we should allow our emotions to be subject to the Spirit of God in us.
In all honesty, we can acknowledge that feelings are often unreliable and are not to be trusted, therefore we ought to do what is right with or without the fuel of feelings. We do not have to deny that our emotions are not in existence but we should never let them control us.
You are unstoppable!
Love X Uju.