Proverbs 16.32
“He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”
An impulse to act is part of every emotion. The root of the English word “emotion” is a Latin word that means “to move.” Consider the big four emotions:
- Anger is an impulse is to move against.
- Affection is an impulse is to move toward.
- Fear is an impulse is to move away.
- Sadness is an impulse to not move … just be still and be sad.
Should you do what your emotions want you to do? The answer, of course, depends on the situation.
An emotional reaction is rarely the most effective response. Emotions can be very impulsive, and they do not always see things clearly. Emotions often tempt you to over react to situations you are facing.
Note what Paul says in Ephesians: “Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil” (Ephesians 4.26-27). In other words, there are situations where anger is appropriate. However, Paul also makes it clear that if you don’t manage your anger … if you let it go too far … you will lose control and move into sin.
The key discipline is to press pause, think, and gain clarity about whatever situation you are in. You must have the self-awareness to recognize when your emotions are trying to move you in the wrong direction, and you must have the self-discipline to regulate yourself. The more stressful the situation and the stronger the emotion, the more important it is for you to exercise self-awareness and self-discipline.
Please understand that the Holy Spirit constantly seeks to empower this discipline in your life. The Holy Spirit seeks to help you see with clarity and respond with discipline. Clarity of vision drives quality of action. This is why the final fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5 is “self-discipline.”
As I wrote yesterday, disciplined emotion is a source of productive energy that empowers you to respond to situations with wisdom and skill. This is the hokma — the wisdom and skill — that is the focus of the entire book of Proverbs. Disciplined people feed productive emotions, and they don’t feed disruptive emotions. They do not let their mind run on autopilot.
Our emotions are an integral part of God’s design. They are an essential attribute of the image of God in man. However, our emotions were distorted by the Fall. When we fail to be disciplined about managing our emotions, we are vulnerable to the seductive and destructive temptations of the enemy. Proverbs 25.28 says, “A man without self-control is like a city broken into a without walls.”
Think > Feel > Act is the internal chain-of-events at the heart of mental discipline and emotional management. What you think shapes how you feel, and how you feel influences how you act. This mental chain-of-events was distorted at the fall, but the good news is that Jesus has redeemed our minds, and as we walk in faithful obedience to him we can reclaim management of our emotions. The key is to commit to the disciplined process of musar and learn to trust God and manage the way you Think > Feel > Act.
It is key to remember that this is a spiritual discipline, not a self-help technique. The ability to manage your mind and focus on empowering thoughts and emotions comes from God. It is the realm of the “inner man.” Look at what scripture says:
“… that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man.” (Ephesians 3.16)
“To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8.6)
“Take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10.5)
“Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” (James 1.19)
Empowering emotions are the result of a mind focused on God and his kingdom. Disruptive emotions are the result of a mind focused on the old nature and the world.
Trust God and do the work.
