sanctification Series Message 4b Emotional Growth
Noel Merrick
sanctification Series Message 4b Emotional Growth • Sermon • Submitted
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++The Mind and Emotions
++The Mind and Emotions
A. Proverbs 23:7 – “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”
A. Proverbs 23:7 – “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:
Eat and drink, saith he to thee;
But his heart is not with thee.
B. Emotions respond to a signal the mind sends them.
B. Emotions respond to a signal the mind sends them.
1. Illustration:
1. Illustration:
Wife and mother: “Why do I feel so much resentment toward
Harold every-time he comes into the house?” Her life and marriage were
being destroyed because of the powerful emotion of resentment. Her
emotions were being produced by the thoughts within her mind.
2. Illustration:
2. Illustration:
Driving down highway when suddenly a glance into the rearview
mirror reveals that a highway patrol car is closing on you with its blue
lights flashing. Your heart leaps into your throat. You feel nervous,
uncertain, and the palms of your hands begin to sweat (perspire).
You begin to pull over, all the time wondering what you did, and contemplating
receiving a ticket. As you begin to pull over, the patrol car pulls on around
you and keeps going. Then you realize that he is not after you and your
emotions return to normal. What has just happened.
a. You thought you were going to be stopped and issued a ticket.
a. You thought you were going to be stopped and issued a ticket.
b. Your emotions responded to that thought.
b. Your emotions responded to that thought.
c. You placed a wrong interpretation on one fact, the patrol car coming up
c. You placed a wrong interpretation on one fact, the patrol car coming up
behind you with its blue lights on, and you did not think of other reasons
why it was happening. (Maybe the car ahead of you was his target . . .
maybe he had received a call and was being dispatched to an accident
scene . . . Maybe the Krispy Kreme doughnut sign was flashing . . . etc.)
Your distorted view and interpretation of the fact produced your emotion.
Your emotions responded to the signal your mind sent them.
C. Listen carefully: It is not the actual event but your perception of the event
C. Listen carefully: It is not the actual event but your perception of the event
that result in changes in your moods . . . your emotions.
D. You determine your emotions by the choice of thoughts you hold and believe.
D. You determine your emotions by the choice of thoughts you hold and believe.
1. Emotions are not external entities which enter our bodies arbitrarily like a
1. Emotions are not external entities which enter our bodies arbitrarily like a
germ.
germ.
2. Your emotions, regardless of their nature, are the product of your thoughts.
2. Your emotions, regardless of their nature, are the product of your thoughts.
3. You re in the driver’s seat . . . You select your emotions when you select
3. You re in the driver’s seat . . . You select your emotions when you select
your thoughts.
your thoughts.
a. You feel the way you do right now because of the thoughts you are
a. You feel the way you do right now because of the thoughts you are
presently thinking.
presently thinking.
b. Change your thinking and your will change your emotions.
b. Change your thinking and your will change your emotions.
d. Illustration:
d. Illustration:
3. The five senses: (Sight, hear, touch, taste, and smell) are the doors to the
3. The five senses: (Sight, hear, touch, taste, and smell) are the doors to the
mind . . . especially the eyes and the ears.
mind . . . especially the eyes and the ears.
4. This is why we must be very careful as to what we allow to enter our minds
4. This is why we must be very careful as to what we allow to enter our minds
through our eyes and ears.
through our eyes and ears.
a. Proverbs 4:23 – “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring
a. Proverbs 4:23 – “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring
Keep thy heart with all diligence;
For out of it are the issues of life.
the issues of life.”
the issues of life.”
b. Galatians 6:7 – “Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a
b. Galatians 6:7 – “Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
man sows he will also reap.” Sowing negative thoughts produce
man sows he will also reap.” Sowing negative thoughts produce
negative emotions.
negative emotions.
THINK RIGHT TO FELL RIGHT
THINK RIGHT TO FELL RIGHT
A. Proverbs 23:7 – “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”
A. Proverbs 23:7 – “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”
B. “How do you feel?” The answer to this question depends on what you are
B. “How do you feel?” The answer to this question depends on what you are
thinking at the moment.
thinking at the moment.
1. If you are thinking positive thoughts your response may be, “I feel great!”
1. If you are thinking positive thoughts your response may be, “I feel great!”
2. On the other hand, if your frame of mind is negative you may say:
2. On the other hand, if your frame of mind is negative you may say:
a. “I don’t feel so hot.”
a. “I don’t feel so hot.”
b. “I feel lousy.”
b. “I feel lousy.”
c. “I’ve felt better.”
c. “I’ve felt better.”
3. If you think negative thoughts you will reap a crop of negative emotions.
3. If you think negative thoughts you will reap a crop of negative emotions.
If you think positive thoughts you will reap a crop of positive emotions.
If you think positive thoughts you will reap a crop of positive emotions.
C. Feelings aren’t facts!
C. Feelings aren’t facts!
1. In the earlier illustration, the blue lights were not intended for you. You felt
1. In the earlier illustration, the blue lights were not intended for you. You felt
at the moment that they were, but the true fact was that they were not for
at the moment that they were, but the true fact was that they were not for
you. Feeling they were for you did not make them be for you.
you. Feeling they were for you did not make them be for you.
2. Emotions respond to a felling whether the felling is factual or not.
2. Emotions respond to a felling whether the felling is factual or not.
TWISTED THINKING
TWISTED THINKING
A. Twisted thinking produces emotions accordingly.
A. Twisted thinking produces emotions accordingly.
1. Twisted thinking is your mind processing thoughts, not actual facts or
1. Twisted thinking is your mind processing thoughts, not actual facts or
events, and producing emotional responses such as fatigue, nervousness,
events, and producing emotional responses such as fatigue, nervousness,
anxiety, depression, loss of appetite, and a host of others.
anxiety, depression, loss of appetite, and a host of others.
a. Twisted thinking can create problems for us.
a. Twisted thinking can create problems for us.
b. David Crockett: “Be sure you are right, then go ahead.”
b. David Crockett: “Be sure you are right, then go ahead.”
2. Failure and negative thoughts, which produce twisted thinking, need to be
2. Failure and negative thoughts, which produce twisted thinking, need to be
promptly ejected from our mind.
promptly ejected from our mind.
B. Saul of Tarsus is a good Biblical example of twisted thinking.
B. Saul of Tarsus is a good Biblical example of twisted thinking.
1. In his defense before King Agrippa, he acknowledged the results of his
1. In his defense before King Agrippa, he acknowledged the results of his
twisted thinking. Acts 26:9-10 – “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many
twisted thinking. Acts 26:9-10 – “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many
I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.
things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison,
having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to
death, I cast my vote against them.”
2. KJV - “I verily though with myself . . .”
2. KJV - “I verily though with myself . . .”
3. The prime mover behind Paul’s actions and emotions, according to his own
3. The prime mover behind Paul’s actions and emotions, according to his own
confession, was his thinking. “I verily thought with myself . . .”
confession, was his thinking. “I verily thought with myself . . .”
4. He was the product of what he permitted to enter his mind . . . namely,
4. He was the product of what he permitted to enter his mind . . . namely,
negative and false teachings about Christ and Christianity.
negative and false teachings about Christ and Christianity.
a. He thought both were wrong and needed to be done away with.
a. He thought both were wrong and needed to be done away with.
b. Later, through proper instruction which he accepted, he was able to straighten his twisted thinking.
b. Later, through proper instruction which he accepted, he was able to straighten his twisted thinking.
5. Note: Apply this principle to people in denominationalism and you will
5. Note: Apply this principle to people in denominationalism and you will
better understand that their feelings and emotions are based on what they
better understand that their feelings and emotions are based on what they
think in right, even if it isn’t according to the Bible.
think in right, even if it isn’t according to the Bible.
a. When their thinking is changed, their feelings and emotions will be
a. When their thinking is changed, their feelings and emotions will be
changed.
changed.
b. Their thinking is not changed by dealing with their feelings, but with their
b. Their thinking is not changed by dealing with their feelings, but with their
thinking. You are not going to change their feelings until you change the
thinking. You are not going to change their feelings until you change the
thinking . . . perceived facts.
thinking . . . perceived facts.
c. Show them exactly what the Bible says. This is why the matter of
c. Show them exactly what the Bible says. This is why the matter of
Biblical authority is so profoundly important.
Biblical authority is so profoundly important.
1. John 8:32 – “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
1. John 8:32 – “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
2. John 17:17 – “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.”
2. John 17:17 – “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.”
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
3. What about the truth?
3. What about the truth?
a. Romans 1:28 – Suppressed the truth.
a. Romans 1:28 – Suppressed the truth.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
b. Romans 1:25 – Exchanged the truth of God for a lie.
b. Romans 1:25 – Exchanged the truth of God for a lie.
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
c. Romans 2:8 – Did not obey truth but unrighteousness instead.
c. Romans 2:8 – Did not obey truth but unrighteousness instead.
But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
d. Romans 9:1 – Truth can be told and taught to others.
d. Romans 9:1 – Truth can be told and taught to others.
I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
e. 1 Corinthians 13:6 – Truth can be rejoiced in.
e. 1 Corinthians 13:6 – Truth can be rejoiced in.
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
f. Galatians 2:5 – The truth continues.
f. Galatians 2:5 – The truth continues.
To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
g. Galatians 3:1 – Will not be obeyed by some.
g. Galatians 3:1 – Will not be obeyed by some.
O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
i. Colossians 1:5 – The truth is the gospel.
i. Colossians 1:5 – The truth is the gospel.
For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
j. 2 Thessalonians 2:12 – Condemnation comes where the truth is not believed.
j. 2 Thessalonians 2:12 – Condemnation comes where the truth is not believed.
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
k. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 – Salvation is involved in the truth.
k. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 – Salvation is involved in the truth.
But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
l. 2 Timothy 2:8 – The truth can be resisted.
l. 2 Timothy 2:8 – The truth can be resisted.
Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
m. James 3:14 – People lie against the truth.
m. James 3:14 – People lie against the truth.
But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
n. 1 John 2:21 – The truth contains no lies.
n. 1 John 2:21 – The truth contains no lies.
I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
o. 3 John 3 – The truth can be confirmed to others.
o. 3 John 3 – The truth can be confirmed to others.
For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
p. 3 John 4 – The truth can be walked in . . . lived.
p. 3 John 4 – The truth can be walked in . . . lived.
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
C. It has been proven over and over again that the emotions do not know the difference between an established fact and an erroneous fact.
C. It has been proven over and over again that the emotions do not know the difference between an established fact and an erroneous fact.
Illustration: Man received a phone call and thought the caller said his father was dying with a heart attack. He got into his car and drove as fast as he could to his father’s house, only to be greeted by his father at the door. The son almost had a heart attack himself. His emotions were responding to thoughts the mind were holding as true, but were not actually true. In his mind he believed his father was dying, thus his body acted accordingly. Later he learned the caller had said “John,” instead of “Don.” John was a friend of the family.
KEYS TO WINNING OVER TWISTED THINKING.
KEYS TO WINNING OVER TWISTED THINKING.
We need to recognize that our thought patterns and habits can be changed constructively and we can experience release from twisted thinking, reactions and responses that eventually will defeat us
A. Recognize that YOU are in control of your thoughts. God created you with this wonderful ability.
A. Recognize that YOU are in control of your thoughts. God created you with this wonderful ability.
B. Don’t try to suppress your thoughts.
B. Don’t try to suppress your thoughts.
1. Burying them only reinforces the negative response demonstrated by your emotions.
1. Burying them only reinforces the negative response demonstrated by your emotions.
2. We must be alert to these thoughts as they come into our minds and say “NO” to them, and saying “YES” to a positive replacement.
2. We must be alert to these thoughts as they come into our minds and say “NO” to them, and saying “YES” to a positive replacement.
C. When you are challenged by a twisted thought, ask yourself, “Why am I thinking this way? What has triggered this negative thought?” Determining the stimulus or root of the thought is a must.
C. When you are challenged by a twisted thought, ask yourself, “Why am I thinking this way? What has triggered this negative thought?” Determining the stimulus or root of the thought is a must.
D. At the very suggestion of a defeating thought, eject it from your mind with a positive Bible verse. The Living Bible translation of Philippians 4:8 reads: “Fix your thoughts on what is true and good, and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.” Isn’t that a wonderful piece of advice . . . It came from God through the Holy Spirit as penned by Paul.
D. At the very suggestion of a defeating thought, eject it from your mind with a positive Bible verse. The Living Bible translation of Philippians 4:8 reads: “Fix your thoughts on what is true and good, and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.” Isn’t that a wonderful piece of advice . . . It came from God through the Holy Spirit as penned by Paul.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
E. Changing your thinking takes place as an act of the will.
E. Changing your thinking takes place as an act of the will.
1. Colossians 3:2 – “Set you mind on things above.”
1. Colossians 3:2 – “Set you mind on things above.”
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
a. Now are you beginning to see why the Bible teaches this?
a. Now are you beginning to see why the Bible teaches this?
b. This declarative statement involves an act of the will . . .
b. This declarative statement involves an act of the will . . .
c. Who sets your mind . . . You set your mind.
c. Who sets your mind . . . You set your mind.
2. Colossians 3:5 – “Therefore, put to death whatever in you is worldly: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry.”
2. Colossians 3:5 – “Therefore, put to death whatever in you is worldly: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry.”
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
3. Colossians 3:8 – “You must rid yourselves . . . “
3. Colossians 3:8 – “You must rid yourselves . . . “
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
4. Colossians 3:12 – “Put on . . .”
4. Colossians 3:12 – “Put on . . .”
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
F. You cannot control what others say about you or think about you, but you can control how you react to it.
F. You cannot control what others say about you or think about you, but you can control how you react to it.
1. Proverbs 25:28 – “A man who does not control his temper is like a city whose wall is broken down.” Question: What can happen to a city whose wall is broken down?
1. Proverbs 25:28 – “A man who does not control his temper is like a city whose wall is broken down.” Question: What can happen to a city whose wall is broken down?
He that hath no rule over his own spirit
Is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
2. Our desire is not to rid ourselves of our emotions, but rather, learn how to control them with God’s help.
2. Our desire is not to rid ourselves of our emotions, but rather, learn how to control them with God’s help.
G. Pray to God for wisdom and strength.
G. Pray to God for wisdom and strength.
CONCLUSION:
CONCLUSION:
A. Illustration:
A. Illustration:
We need to face life in the spirit of a man who lost his eyesight. He rushed to the doctor. The treatment by the physician made it possible for him to see again, but the return of his sight caused him to lose his memory. He returned to the doctor. This time he was treated for a loss of memory. The man regained his memory but lost his eyesight again. “Well,” said the physician, “we can’t cure both of them together, so you’ll have to choose between sight and memory. Which will it be?” The man answered, “Eyesight! I’d rather see where I’m going than to know where I’ve been.”
B. It doesn’t matter that you have been plagued in the past with twisted thinking or warped emotions, the next step you take to handle it is what counts.
B. It doesn’t matter that you have been plagued in the past with twisted thinking or warped emotions, the next step you take to handle it is what counts.
C. God’s Plan for Man’s Salvation
C. God’s Plan for Man’s Salvation