In the past two blogs we have talked about our Emotions and the need to manage them. Today we will talk about some ways to deal with our emotions healthily.The Word of God talks to us about not giving the devil a place. In this we must understand that the devil can get a place in our lives through our soul (mind, will, emotions). Thus we must know how to keep our mind; yield our will; and control our emotions, This is the only way to keep the devil from gaining a place in our lives.
Many times people think they can live any way they want and then just rebuke the devil and things will be okay. That is deception.
If we study Eph. 4:27 where the text: Neither give place to the devil, comes, we will see that there is much talk about the mind, will, emotions and choices.
Eph. 4:17-32
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart (mind, will, emotions):
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. (past feelings here means: to be empty headed and without understanding of God)
20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (notice here, YOU put off wrong speaking that is corrupt)
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (YOU put on the New Man / Choice and willful action)
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.
28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Here we can see much responsibility on our part. When we want to say ugly things because our emotions are ruffed up, we are to contain our emotions and speak only that which is acceptable. This is done by casting down wrong imaginations and taking thoughts captive. And then putting those imaginations and thoughts into alignment with God's Word which brings Life, Health, Joy, Peace, Prosperity and all lasting Success.
Children are taught by fire marshals what to do should they catch fire. They tell them to: STOP, DROP AND ROLL.
When learning to deal with our emotions, we must understand how to deal with our tongue which is a little member that can set BIG fires. Therefore, before allowing the tongue to tag team with emotional thoughts, Stop (take a breath), let Drop (anything that which would harm you or others), and Roll off the tongue only that which edifies.
When the emotion of anger arises, we are to manage it, and not sin. We are to deal with the problem by coming up with an effective solution, and be sure to do it before bed time. This is done through prayer, meditation, forgiveness and proper communication. Don't let anger lay around through the night, gaining strength and causing other problems.
If you do not deal with anger, like any other loose emotion it will end up dominating you. It will burn in your mind, ulcerate your stomach, disturb your sleep and cause a series of other mental and health problems, not to mention how it will effort your relationships with others.
Any time we do not deal with our emotions, by putting them into subjection to the Word and Spirit we are opening ourselves up to the devil. We are giving him a place. And if we give him a place, we can not then rebuke him and expect him to leave.
If we give the devil/adversary a place, he has a right to be there. Until we shut the door and hang a no soliciting sign by taking proper actions he will not pay any attention to our rebukes. We can wear out our rebuker and still not have the results we desire.
Emotions are not necessarily good or bad. Emotions are simply neutral until something gets them going.
Love which is one of the key emotions in our lives, can be a good thing if it is steered properly. But it can be bad if it is lust that dresses it's self up as love and causes one to do something harmful to themselves or others.
Anger as we discussed previously is not a sin, it is a normal emotion that can be a healthy part of life if handled properly, but left without restraints can cause serious problems.
We have to understand that life is to be lived in balance. And to live a fully balanced happy and safe life we must learn how to walk self controlled. We must learn how to deal with our emotions.
