Galatians 6:9-10

So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.

In this season of social media, receiving likes, gaining followers and getting reposted under someone else’s page appears as approval of mankind. What God approves should be our standard of goodness.

I am often reminded of one scripture that I take to heart.

Proverbs 18:17 The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.

Submit to the Lord and allow Him to approve what is to be done.

I must admit I have deleted a number of things posted in haste. My trash bin is full of rejected articles. I count it a blessing to receive a rejection notice from God that keeps me from placing a stumbling block before my brethren.

Jeremiah 26:14

But as for me, behold, I am in your hands. Do with me as seems good and right to you.

Psalm 9:4

For you have maintained my just cause; you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment.

1 Thessalonians 2:4

but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.

I include passages because they stir me. I have no control over how they move you. That is between you and God.

I could not find the word emotions listed in the ESV or KJV versions of the bible.

I had to resort to the Message Version to find the word used.

Proverbs 14:30 The Message 

A sound mind makes for a robust body, but runaway emotions corrode the bones.

What I did find about expressed emotions was listed under the spirit of man.

spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation)

animation, vivacity, vigour

courage

temper, anger

impatience, patience

disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented)

disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse

spirit (as seat of emotion)

desire

sorrow, trouble

as seat or organ of mental acts

rarely of the will

as seat especially of moral character

All of this is the character of mankind that is built into us from the beginning of creation. All of it is addressed throughout the scriptures without calling them emotions and yet we can recognize ourselves and our actions in those stories as they are played out.

What I do not see in the above list is timidity and insecurity. Just about every emotion listed under the spirit of man has an opposite corresponding emotion. It is seen easily in courage vs cowardness or perhaps vigor vs laziness.

What I do not see is pride vs humility. So the bible covers a wider range of emotions than man is comfortable admitting and categorizing. Love and hate are not listed but perhaps those should fall under the heading moral character. What is missing in all this is how the Holy Spirit differs from the spirit of man. Mankind acts out because of emotions while the Holy Spirit only enacts the will of God the Father. The Holy Spirit does not act out, we do.

While love is a choice and God is asking us to choose Him, the Holy Spirit has no choice because He is One in agreement with God the Father. He cannot choose to be anything else.

Right or wrong we have to choose. Will we allow our emotions to get the better of us, or choose to listen to God and obey? Are we going to be selfish or selfless?