From time to time, many Christians - self included here - seem to get a bit confused. While there are oodles of things to get confused about, the thing that comes to mind at the moment revolves around feelings.
Let me get to something right off the get go here - feelings are not sin. Now that tidbit may either make you nod and agree or stare at the screen like I am some kind of nut. But it is true, regardless of your reaction to that statement.
Now I know (and have known) people who think that, because you are saved, you have to walk around feeling happy all the time. While that does sound lovely, it is hardly realistic. For instance, what if a close family member has passed away suddenly? Are you to feel happy and bubbly during that time of great sorrow? Not bloody likely. And what if you were to go on a missions trip to some place that is in ruins (Haiti currently, for example)? Would you be feeling oh so happy with a big ol' grin on your face when you are surrounded by despair most devastating? Let me ask you this - do you think God smiles when He sees it?
Feelings have little, if anything to do with who we are spiritually speaking. And as I said before, they are not, of themselves, sin or sinful. Now they may be able to add a bit extra to temptation and lead you into sin, but they themselves are not.
Many who know the bible to any extent are familiar with David and they also know that God loved his heart, in spite of his actions. He was totally, openly dependent upon God's grace and mercy. That said, was he happy go lucky all the time? Not a chance! A quick example from Psalm 55 that I can personally relate to - verses 12-14: "If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God." Now, I do not know about you, but that really does not sound like David is feeling overly 'chipper' at the moment. Since he is feeling hurt, betrayed, and yes, most likely mad, is he sinning? Short answer - no.
While there are numerous examples in the New Testament (lots with the pharisees), how about this one from Matthew 16:4 "A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah". Again in Luke 11:29 "..Jesus said, this is a wicked generation...". Now then, I do not think Jesus had a big happy grin on His face when He was saying those things. I also do not think He was feeling overly happy at that moment in time either. Matter of fact, He sounds like He might have been at least a bit ticked off. In Mark 11, we read where Jesus cleared out the temple. I strongly suspect He was not feeling blissful when He used the words "you have made it a den of robbers". John 11: 35 "Jesus wept." Pretty much self explanatory there.
Now then, Jesus was without sin, was He not.
Jesus obviously had a full range of feelings and emotions while on earth - happy, sad, hurt, mad, etc.
That said, how can anyone think that 1) Feelings are sinful and 2) that we are supposed to wander around this life happy and glowing all the time? Jesus didn't. How the heck do we think we can?
The example above from Psalm 55 is from David and is regarding Saul, who was pursuing him for no real reason as David had done nothing but good to and for him. Now David was not only a great king, but he was also a warrior. At one point, Saul is alone in a cave that David is in. David sneaks up and cuts off a part of his robe. Now then, all considered, do you think that it may have crossed his mind that he could end it all right now by driving his blade straight through Saul? Do you think that he felt happy as he sneaked up on him, or would it make more sense that he felt all the hurt, betrayal and anger seething through him with each step? Probably. The thing is though, did he act upon those feelings and slay Saul? No, he did not give in to them (reading beforehand, the initial idea was to kill Saul not just cut off a chunk of his robe)
More than once we read about God's anger with the rebellious nature of humanity. More than once we see where Jesus was less than pleased. Did He give in and wipe out the human race? Let's be honest, we deserve it after all. No. Obviously He did not act on those feelings.
There is our goal. To not act upon those feelings.
If you have had a horrid day and someone cuts you off in rush hour traffic, is it sinful for you to be ticked off about it? No. Is it sinful for you to try and ram them for doing it? Yes.
If you feel someone has betrayed you, is feeling hurt and betrayed sinful or unchristian? Nope. Is seeking to hurt them because they hurt you sinful? Yes it is.
Feelings by themselves, are not sinful. Feelings, by themselves, are not unchristian.
Far too many people set themselves up for a big fall because they, for some reason or another, believe that "feeling" is not Christian. They tell themselves that they should not feel hurt when someone betrays them. That they should not feel mad about something that is done to them. That they should not feel ... well, you can fill that in on your own, no doubt.
Feelings are normal. They are not sin. Having them does not make you less of a Christian or, somehow, substandard in the kingdom of God.
Someone does something less than nice to you and you feel hurt and mad about it. Congratulations, you're human!
It is our responses to those feelings that can get us in trouble and cause us to sin.
How does Jesus say we are to respond when someone tries to take something from us that they have no right to take? Let them. What about when we feel used by someone - are we to seek revenge or try and give them what they deserve? No, no we are not. We can feel hurt, mad, sad, betrayed, etc etc etc. What we are not supposed to do is act upon those feelings - to give in to the temptation to seek our own retribution.
If we try and lie to ourselves (and to God) and say we do not feel certain emotions - ever - then really, we are setting ourselves up for a pretty big fall when we get overwhelmed by them at some point. God knows you have feelings. He does too after all and He made us. Do not try and lie to yourself about having them. And definitely do not try and lie to God about them. Be honest with Him, and yourself.
Surely, we could go on and on about feelings and how they relate to truth, sin, and life in general as well as in the Christian walk, but for the moment, this bit will suffice. I would like to add, however, that we are talking about feelings as in emotional responses (mad, sad, happy, hurt, etc) as opposed to "urges" (like lust, for example).
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