Overview:
Sometimes Christians are led to believe that feelings are always meant to be questioned at best and ignored at worst. Yet, is this really what the Bible instructs? Discover that Scripture has a lot to say about feelings. Biblical characters had a full range of human experiences. In fact, God Himself has feelings! Pastor Chuck Swindoll approaches the relatable topic of emotions and how God often works in and through feelings. Gain reliable wisdom on how to perceive and handle them.
Message Summary:
In this insightful and deeply human message, Chuck Swindoll tackles a common misconception that has plagued the church for generations: the idea that emotions are inherently unstable and should be ignored in favor of “pure facts.” Chuck begins by reflecting on the childhood lessons many of us received—directives like “don’t slam the door” or “eat everything on your plate”—the most damaging of which was often “you cannot trust your feelings.” He argues that while facts and faith are the foundation of the Christian life, God created us as emotional beings, and the Holy Spirit’s work is not to suppress our feelings, but to sanctify and utilize them as a vital part of our spiritual expression.
The core of this teaching challenges the popular “Train Analogy” often used in Christian circles, where “Fact” is the engine, “Faith” is the coal car, and “Feeling” is merely the caboose. Chuck suggests that if the Holy Spirit is in control, the “caboose” of our emotions isn’t just along for the ride; it is a significant part of how we relate to God and others. By looking at the emotional life of Jesus—particularly His response to the death of Lazarus—Chuck demonstrates that deep grief, righteous anger, and intense passion are not signs of weakness, but evidences of the Spirit’s dynamic at work. The goal of this message is to give believers “permission” to feel, teaching us to bring our emotions under the Spirit’s influence so that we might experience the full range of life as God intended.
Message Key Facts:
- The Childhood “Recorder”: Chuck shares personal anecdotes about the “tapes” that play in our minds from childhood. He notes how many Christians were raised to discount feelings entirely, leading to a “sterile” faith. He emphasizes that ignoring emotions doesn’t make them go away; it only makes them emerge in unhealthy or “sideways” ways.
- The “Fact-Faith-Feeling” Critique: Chuck explicitly addresses the traditional “train” illustration. While acknowledging that facts are the foundation, he argues that a life without feeling is a life without passion. He points out that the Holy Spirit is often described in emotional terms—groaning, grieving, and rejoicing—and that we are called to be “under the influence” of a Spirit who feels deeply.
- The “Snorting” of Jesus: A major highlight is Chuck’s analysis of John 11:33-35. He dives into the Greek word embrimaomai, which is often translated as “deeply moved” but literally means “to snort like a horse.” This suggests that Jesus wasn’t just quietly sad at Lazarus’ tomb; He was experiencing a violent, physical reaction to the tragedy of death and the unbelief of those around Him. Chuck uses this to show that a Spirit-filled life includes the capacity for intense, raw emotion.
- The Right Kind of Anger: Chuck distinguishes between carnal, out-of-control rage and Spirit-led anger. He encourages the congregation to give themselves “permission to get mad” about the right things—such as injustice, sin, and the corruption of truth. He argues that a passionless Christian is often an ineffective one, and that the Spirit gives us the “holy boldness” to feel and act with conviction.
- The Gift of Tears: Chuck reflects on the cultural pressure (especially for men) to avoid crying. He counters this with the shortest verse in the Bible—”Jesus wept”—showing that the most perfect, Spirit-filled Man to ever live was also the most emotionally expressive. He encourages the hurting to see their tears as a gift from the Spirit that facilitates deep healing.
Message References:
- John 11:33–35: The account of Jesus at the tomb of Lazarus. Chuck highlights the “groaning in spirit” and the “snorting” (embrimaomai) of Jesus, proving that even in the face of a miracle, the Son of God did not bypass the emotional weight of death.
- Romans 8:26: The foundational text on the Spirit’s own emotions. Chuck notes that the Spirit intercedes for us with “groanings too deep for words,” illustrating that the third member of the Trinity is intimately involved in our emotional struggles.
- Ephesians 4:26: “Be angry, and yet do not sin.” Chuck uses this command to show that anger is not a sin in itself, but an emotion that must be brought under the Spirit’s control so that it leads to righteousness rather than destruction.
- John 16:13 & 14:16–17: Reaffirming the Spirit as the “Helper” (paracletos). Chuck explains that the Spirit navigates the “uncharted waters” of our emotions, helping us filter the essentials from the incidentals in our daily walk.
- Galatians 5:22–23: The Fruit of the Spirit. Chuck points out that “love, joy, and peace” are inherently emotional qualities, proving that the Spirit’s primary goal is to produce a healthy, vibrantly emotional inner life.
- Psalm 42:1–5: The psalmist’s honest dialogue with his own soul (“Why are you in despair, O my soul?”). Chuck uses this to demonstrate the biblical precedent for acknowledging emotional distress while simultaneously placing one’s hope in God.
