First, there are many disciplines that are commanded for all Christians, (i.e. Scripture Reading: Joshua 1:8, Being Joyful, Thanksgiving, Prayer: 1Thessalonians 5:16). Second, sanctification (drawing closer to God and his character) doesn't need to be an exciting joy ride every time. You'll find that doing things you don't fully want to do is a unique discipline all on its own. It's called Self-Control and it so happens to be a Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Third, there is an unnecessary emphasis on the emotional side of faith that deprives both you and the Body of Christ from the full potential of God's work in your life.
Let me explain this better with a passage of scripture, 1 Corinthians 14:13-17:
Here, we see Paul telling the Corinthians to only speak in tongues in a congregation if there is someone present to interpret what is being said by the speaker. The reason? We need more than just emotions when we approach God. Later in this chapter, Paul tells us that those who speak in tongues should pray quietly between them and God if there is no interpreter present (v. 28) This is not to discount emotional experiences in group settings because we see times where congregations are encouraged to shout joyfully to the Lord as a group (Psalm 150 and many other psalms).13 For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 16 If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand[a] say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified."
Notice, however, that Paul seems to find issue with a congregation simply pursuing a mass emotional experience and nothing more. Also, he doesn't give individual advice for one believer to approach God with his mind and a different person with his heart. All Christians are to approach God with heart and mind.
Practically, this means that we need to process what words we are singing in a worship service, the lyrics of our favorite songs, and the reasons why nature inspires us. Those words, when processed, give the Holy Spirit an opportunity to line up our actions with the character in Christ. Also, reflect on passages like Phillipians 4:8 and 2 Corinthians 10:5, which tell us to watch our thoughts and line them up with God's kingdom. Is this advice given for no reason? Can you see the connection between your thoughts and the resulting actions? Have you ever reacted negatively to a friend or family member after mulling over negative emotions toward them? It doesn't matter that you don't mean to act out; as Jesus says in Matthew 12:34-35:
34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.I don't consider it a leap to say that our thoughts and emotions result in our actions.
Now, here is the problem: Why do you think that your emotions in worship, private music, and nature time don't always rush in to save you when you act out in anger on someone? It is because your emotional experience is incomplete. It was meant to connect with your mind. Jesus just said "stored up" when it referred to the good in someone. We do stow away good in our hearts when we connect with these emotional experiences. However, consider how James 1:24-25 can refer to our emotions:
We experience God-intended emotions when they reveal our relationship and standing with Him. Those emotions help us to put us and God in the right perspective. For instance, godly sorrow leads to repentance without regret (2 Corinthians 7:10). Emotions are capable of revealing our standing before God if complimented with the Word of God and Prayer (1 Timothy 4:4-5). James just told us about how little our emotional experience can do for us if we just leave it behind where it happened. However, it is also impractical to stow away an emotion in a bottle to save for later. When someone cuts you off in traffic, you won't be able to activate a flashback to a past time by a river in God's presence. You'll need to be prepared ahead of time with what you have stowed up in your heart. This is where your mind comes in. Reflect on your emotional experiences. Let them mold you once the embers have died out. God intended your heart and mind to weave together in an intimate thread. Don't stunt your growth by believing speakers who tell you to only connect with God in ways that are emotionally appeasing. If you will let your mind and heart mix, you will transform not only yourself, but also those who hear your thoughts and say "Amen" to your thanksgiving.24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
In Christ,
Simeon Snow
