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Can Emotions Be Misguided?
In Genesis 37, one of the things that stands out is the lie told to Jacob by his sons about Joseph’s death. Joseph later said that God turned to “good” what Joseph’s brethren meant for “evil” (Genesis 50.20). While there are many lessons to be drawn from this story, we will focus upon the role of emotions as they relate to man’s salvation.
First, notice that the lie Jacob was told about Joseph’s death. It had the same effect on Jacob as it would have if it had been truth, for Jacob believed it to be true. From this, we see that a lie believed has the same emotional effect as truth. That is why feelings or emotions cannot be the determining factor in salvation.
When a person comes under conviction of sin, the emotions are stirred by the message, whether from false apostles or apostles of Christ. Satan is continually working to deceive. As he did with Eve, he perverts God’s words.
The apostle Paul warned that Satan disguises himself s an angel of light. So also Satan’s ministers can disguise themselves as servants of righteousness (cf. 2 Corinthians 11.13-15). Because of this, the message of salvation can be perverted.
The Galatians were being deceived by a false message. Paul wrote: “I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel; which is not another gospel; only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1.6-7). Salvation depends upon the truthfulness of the message. Paul preached what Jesus commanded him (cf. 1 Corinthians 14.37). Therefore, Paul’s message was true.
It is important to understand the process whereby truth comes. Jesus stated that he spoke only what his Father commanded him (cf. John 12.49). Jesus gave those words to the apostles, with the commission to proclaim them to the world (cf. John 17.8; Matthew 28.19; Mark 16.15). Matthew states that if these words are believed and obeyed, they make one a disciple of Jesus. Mark calls these words the gospel, declaring that acceptance is through belief and baptism. Luke refers to both the gospel message and the response as “repentance and remission of sins” (Luke 24.47).
Putting all three of these accounts together, we find that belief, repentance, and immersion in water are the responses that a message of truth declares. Truth came from the heavenly Father. Jesus said, “I speak things as the Father taught me” (John 8.28). He said in John 14.31: “As the Father gave me commandment, even so I do.” This commandment that Jesus was given from the Father was eternal life (cf. John 12.50; 14.24). Then we hear Jesus say, “I manifested thy name unto the men whom thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them to me; and they have kept thy word. Now they know that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are from thee: for the words which thou gavest me I have given unto them; and they received them, and knew of a truth that I came forth from thee, and they believed that thou didst send me” (John 17.6-8).
Their message is the standard fro us today (cf. 2 Timothy 1.13). When this message was first preached on the Day of Pentecost, the Jews, who “by the hand of lawless men” (Acts 3.23) had crucified Jesus were “cut to the heart” (Acts 2.37a). Being moved emotionally, they asked, “What shall we do?” (Acts 2.37b). Acts 2.38 answers their question. It harmonized with the message that Jesus commanded them to preach in the great commission (cf. Matthew 28.19-20; Mark 16.16; Luke 24.47).
That same answer must still be proclaimed today. Otherwise, the message will be a lie. A person may believe that lie to be true, and, as with Jacob, have an emotional reaction. However, his salvation is not dependent upon his emotions, but on the truth of the message.
Don’t trust your emotions until you have examined and compared the message you heard — the apostles’ message. Once you are certain of the truth of the message, respond as the truth directs you.
Those in Acts 2, who heard Peter’s words, were told to respond in repentance in baptism (Acts 2.38). Those who “gladly received” Peter’s words did this (cf. Acts 2.41).
Make your “calling and election sure” (2 Peter 1.10). Do not trust your emotions as proof of your salvation. Base it upon the truthfulness of the message. Remember Jesus’ words: “He that rejecteth me and receiveth not my sayings hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12.48).
