Our Fear of Emotions
We need to overcome our fear of emotions and open up our hearts to receive God's work and our mouths to declare God's glory.
A.W. Tozer addresses the fear of emotions in the Christian experience, emphasizing that the neglect of the inward witness has led to a decline in spiritual vitality. He critiques the tendency among evangelicals to suppress feelings and experiences out of fear of losing dignity or becoming fanatical. Tozer argues that this cautious approach is counterproductive and likens it to absurd measures taken to control the dead. He calls for believers to open their hearts to receive God's work and to boldly declare His glory, encouraging a more authentic and vibrant faith.
Text
So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them-- walking, leaping, and praising God. --Acts 3:8
One cause of the decline in the quality of religious experience among Christians these days is the neglect of the doctrine of the inward witness.
Stamping our feet to start the circulation and blowing on our hands to limber them up, we have emerged shivering from the long period of the theological deep-freeze, but the influence of the frosty years is still felt among us to such an extent that the words witness, experience and feeling are cautiously avoided by the rank and file of evangelical teachers. In spite of the undeniable lukewarmness of most of us we still fear that unless we keep a careful check on ourselves we shall surely lose our dignity and become howling fanatics by this time next week. We set a watch upon our emotions day and night lest we become over-spiritual and bring reproach upon the cause of Christ. Which all, if I may say so, is for most of us about as sensible as throwing a cordon of police around a cemetery to prevent a wild political demonstration by the inhabitants. Born After Midnight, 11.
"Lord, open up my heart to receive, and then open up my mouth to declare, the glory of Your mighty work! Amen."
Sermon Outline
- The Neglect of the Inward Witness
- The Fear of Emotions
- The Need for a Change
- We need to open up our hearts to receive God's work
- We need to open up our mouths to declare God's glory
- This fear is irrational and unnecessary
Key Quotes
“We set a watch upon our emotions day and night lest we become over-spiritual and bring reproach upon the cause of Christ.” — A.W. Tozer
“Born After Midnight, 11.” — A.W. Tozer
“Lord, open up my heart to receive, and then open up my mouth to declare, the glory of Your mighty work! Amen.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We need to be willing to be vulnerable and open with our emotions in order to experience a deeper relationship with God.
- We need to trust that God will guide us and use us even if we make mistakes and become over-spiritual.
- We need to prioritize our relationship with God over our fear of what others may think.