Overemotionalization

A common trend facing the Christian church today is the overemotionalization of Christianity. Many people think that having emotions and feelings is what Christianity is all about. Christian songwriters are pumping song after song filled with nothing more than emotional rambling about a mushy gushy sort of love that someone feels for God. Now I must not speak too harshly. As human beings, we are emotional; and created that way by God. Emotions are tricky things and we have a hard time mastering them the way that we should. Emotion is a good thing. Anger, fear, contentment…these are all good things at certain times. However, any emotion taken to the extreme becomes harmful. In the case of Christianity and spirituality, emotions are dangerous.

Watchman Nee said:

Emotion is what believers mistake most for spirituality…Christians whose tendency is emotional in character habitually crave sensation in their lives. They desire to sense the presence of God in their hearts; they yearn to feel a love-fire burning. They want to feel elated, to be uplifted in spiritual life…. True, spiritual believers sometimes do have such sensations, yet their progress and joy are not contingent upon these.

Spiritual growth and true joy are not rooted in emotions. The overemotionalization of American Christianity is causing people to fall face flat in a broken Christianity. It is placing an emphasis where it ought not be placed. It would be like saying a relationship with ones spouse ought to be doused in emotion first and foremost. No! Emotions are important, but they are not the defining factor in a relationship of any kind! Especially with God! It is teaching us that God is someone with whom we are supposed to fall in mushy gushy love. Well guess what, God already loves you and that is not going to change. Just like any relationship, it is not always emotional. It is not always happy-go-lucky on top of the world smiley I’m so in love with Jesus. Real relationships take work. They take thought. They take discipline. Emotions are no doubt an essential and valuable part of any relationship. Feeling love for God is one of the most basic things that Christians are called to. And through this love for God, we begin to love other people. I am not undermining the value of love. Love is the most priceless thing in the universe. However, emotion does not equal love. 

Don’t let your emotions rule you. Don’t mistake your emotions for spiritual growth or joy. Don’t underestimate the value of spiritual thought and intellectual growth. Have emotions but don’t let them define your Christianity and your relationship with God. Let your commitment, compassion, love and desire to serve be the foundation of your relationship with God.