Taking Control of Your Emotions: A Biblical Perspective

Introduction:

• Emotions are a powerful aspect of our lives, but are we in control of them?

• Drawing insights from 1 Peter 1:13-14, we'll explore how to manage our emotions effectively.

Preparing Your Minds:

• 1 Pet 1:13-14 (ESV) instructs us to prepare our minds for action.

• It's about getting ready, training, and being effective.

• Like girding up the loins, we remove mental obstacles and hindrances.

Sober-Mindedness:

• Being sober-minded means:

• Steadfast and self-controlled thoughts.

• Clear thinking devoid of deception.

• Moral decisiveness and godly priorities.

Prayer for Emotional Discipline:

• Pray to exchange evil passions for Godly ones.

• Seek to replace numbness of heart with a vibrant first love.

• Ask for the transformation of anger into feelings of compassion.

Controlling Emotions in Relationships:

• In marriage, when the "Lovin’ Feelin’" fades, how can we command our hearts to love again?

• How should parents respond when a child says, "I don’t feel like it"?

• Can emotions be commanded?

The Art of Choosing Emotions:

• The Bible consistently commands certain emotions.

• Emotions not to have:

• Hate, fear, anxiety, envy, jealousy, evil passions.

• Emotions to cultivate:

• Rejoice, weep, love enemies, be grateful, thankful, and hopeful.

Our Struggle with Emotions:

• Often, we are controlled by emotions rather than controlling them.

• Explore the relationship between the mind and the heart in obeying emotional commands.

Preparing Minds for Action:

• "Gird up the loins of your mind" - A metaphor for removing mental hindrances.

• Pull up and tuck away useless thoughts.

• Eliminate thoughts clouding your thinking.

• Avoid double-mindedness and distraction from God’s purposes.

Sober-Mindedness Explained:

• Sober-mindedness means steadfast, self-controlled, and clear thinking.

• The sober Christian sets godly priorities, not led by temptations.

• Prioritizing the eternal over the earthly.

The Purpose of Training:

• Training in sober thinking leads to godly priorities.

• Why train the mind? To have godly priorities.

• For what purpose? For hope!

Hope as the Goal:

• Peter commands us to "HOPE FULLY" in 1 Pet 1:13-14.

• How do we obey this command in the face of emotional challenges?

The Mind-Heart Connection:

• The mind serves the heart and impacts emotions.

• Christianity is about a heart responding in love, trust, and repentance.

Battling Negative Emotions:

• Satan knows truths about God but feels only hate.

• The Christian life is about the heart: love, longing for God, and surrender.

• The mind serves the heart to align emotions with God's commands.

Practical Counseling:

• Many seek help for emotional struggles.

• Instead of just praying, ask for their strategy to combat negative emotions.

• Peter's counsel: Prepare your minds, be sober-minded, and hope fully.

Relentless Warfare for Hope:

• Hoping fully requires cultivating a sober mind.

• It's a continuous battle against negative emotions.

Changing Passions:

• We are not our feelings; we shouldn't conform to them.

• Changing passions requires replacing ignorance with knowledge.

Conclusion:

• Emotions are powerful, but with a prepared mind and sober thinking, we can control and align them with God's commands.

• Let's embark on this journey to command our emotions, fostering godly passions and living in hope.