Friday, September 6, 2013

Emotions and Decisions

Preachers claim often that women are more emotional. One wonders why the same preachers preach emotional and sentimental sermons when the audience consists of rational men who can't be swayed by emotions - or can they?

Emotions are good and necessary, but they can also cause us to forsake reason as they tug on our heartstrings and cause us to make decisions based on feelings rather than facts. Emotions cause us to feel sorry for others and ourselves when we should hold ourselves and others accountable. They can also cause us to give in too soon, or become unreasonable stubborn.

Preachers who preach sentimental sermons do so because they can't give their audience facts that they could base their decisions on. The reason for their inability is their belief that faith is all we need, that good works are optional. That which is optional will never produce firm convictions; that which is necessary does.

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:9-10 NIV).
This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone (Titus 3:8 NIV).
Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives (Titus 3:14 NIV).

Good works are profitable for everyone. Sentimental sermons, that cause us to act out of excitement, or guilt, will never produce people who are careful to devote themselves to doing that which is good.

God expects all to do good, but if women are more emotional, how can they devote themselves to doing that which is good? If they can't make rational decisions, how can they be consistently good, and not succumb to the temptation of doing evil out of fear or pity? And how can men be able to make decisions that are tempered with compassion and mercy, if all they have is cold reason?

Neither can be only emotional or rational, which is only natural for both are created in the image of God, and God is rational, yet full of mercy, and goodness.

No comments:

Post a Comment