Emotionalism? How and when do you know?

BibleReader1985 · Mar 22, 2016

I attend a church that has intense worship... I feel like I am experiencing something from God. As I wonder around forums on here I see lots of very negative opinions on this. I was wondering from a biblical stand point where this is bad and hoping to see where that view comes from. I know that psalm 149 says:

1Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
2Let Israel be glad in its Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.
3Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre.
4For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory.
5Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their couches.
6Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands,
7to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples,
8to bind their kings with fetters and their nobles with chains of iron,
9to execute on them the judgment decreed. This is glory for all his faithful ones. Praise the Lord!

When does it become the quote unquote emotionalism?
I can however see from a humanistic perspective if we are seeking that feeling more than the Lord. Where is the line? How do you know if you crossed it? where is that in the bible?

Sketcher · Mar 22, 2016

The way I see it, God created our brains and how we feel and react to various stimuli, and we are also coincidentally created to know, love, and worship him. Whether you're catching the Spirit or just an endorphin rush from the music, either one of those is intended to be for God's glory. The focus should be God, the feelings should point you to him not distract you from him. When that gets switched around, for instance if you start doing it for the high rather than for expressing love to God, then that is when it becomes a problem. God must be the center of the worship, rather than the excuse for it, if that makes sense.

tturt · Mar 22, 2016

Biblereader1985, if you wait to get the approval of everyone on these forums for anything, it won't happen. hehehe

As sketcher said, we've got emotions given by Yahweh. Even Yeshua wept when He was on the earth. You know there are times such as when you've been worshiping Him and you have an awareness of Him. Be glad. Be joyful. (Psa 16:11).

BFine · Mar 22, 2016

BibleReader1985 said:
I attend a church that has intense worship... I feel like I am experiencing something from God. As I wonder around forums on here I see lots of very negative opinions on this. I was wondering from a biblical stand point where this is bad and hoping to see where that view comes from. I know that psalm 149 says:

1Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
2Let Israel be glad in its Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.
3Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre.
4For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory.
5Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their couches.
6Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands,
7to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples,
8to bind their kings with fetters and their nobles with chains of iron,
9to execute on them the judgment decreed. This is glory for all his faithful ones. Praise the Lord!

*Also this...
1 Corinthians 14:15-17
1 Corinthians 14:26-33

When does it become the quote unquote emotionalism?
*When it's all about emotions and not actual worship of God...I know places were only songs that stir up
emotions are used, some teach people to focus on the
sufferings of Christ when you sing praises...you got
to shed tears, hands must be raised etc.

I can however see from a humanistic perspective if we are seeking that feeling more than the Lord. Where is the line?
*When others start dictating that if you aren't in an emotional state during the songs of praise, you're not
worshiping God...or you're not a true Christian etc.

How do you know if you crossed it? where is that in the bible?

*Crossing the line...when it's carnal/idolatrous
Amos 5:23
Ezekiel 26:13

paul1149 · Mar 22, 2016

BibleReader1985 said:
1Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
2Let Israel be glad in its Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.
3Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre.
4For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory.
5Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their couches.
6Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands,

What you've described here could be called "outer court" praise. "Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise." - ps 100. If you are doing this from a sincere desire to honor and exalt God, it is a good thing indeed and should be encouraged.

"God dwells in the praises of His people." And when He shows up, sometimes the worship turns and becomes quite different. There's an incident during First Temple worship where the priests could no longer carry on with their ceremony, because the Shekinah glory cloud was so thick. Many a time even in personal prayer I will come to that place where I am aware of the Lord's manifest presence. I no longer have to push through the noise of this life to reach Him. He is already there. It becomes more a time to be still, to commune on a deeper level, a time for reverence.

he was heard because of his reverence. -Heb 5.7

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. -Heb 12:28-29

We often order worship services to facilitate people entering into the Presence, because that is the goal after all. The songs will start off energetic and uptempo to get our focus on the Lord, but then become more intimate and reflective.

The key in all this is to keep watch on your heart. By all means go for the outer court praise. But if you sense a need for something deeper, it may be time to tune in with a worshipful attitude to the Lord's presence in you.

tturt · Mar 31, 2016

ditto, Paul1149

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Emotionalism? How and when do you know?

BibleReader1985

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Sketcher

Born Imperishable

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tturt

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BFine

Seed Planter

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paul1149

that your faith might rest in the power of God

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tturt

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