Emotionalism

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25
I saw a post on face book where a person was asking recommendations for a church to attend. I did not respond, I do not know this person and they do not know me. I have thought about this persons request and when looking for the post again I could not find it. They were looking for a church that had people falling out in the aisles, speaking in tongues and had catchers and covers. Catchers are people that stand behind you to catch you when you fall when someone prays for you and touches your forehead and you fall to the floor. Covers are for the women that fall to the floor to cover them as many may be wearing dresses. I was like blown away. This person was actually looking for something that would cause me to run to the nearest door. Emotionalism is my term for it and I actually found what I thought was a good article on it by searching google.  We want to worship God in spirit and truth. I was raised in that stuff (emotionalism). I saw people that would walk the aisles speaking in tongues and they could disrupt a whole service to where the minister did not get an opportunity to speak the word of God.  I saw people breaking out and so called dancing in the spirit in an uncontrolled fashion.  And it seemed we would think these uncontrolled emotional outbursts equated spiritualism. Man they must be really close to God. This person when on to say they didn't want a preacher that had an outline with main points but would just speak as the spirit led them. I was blown away, you got to be kidding. I thought about one person from years ago that would write out his sermon and pray over it and reread and try to make sure what he presented was from God and not from him. It was OK if the word convicted hearts but he did not want to offend because of himself or his personality. He said he would read word for word what he wrote and not deviate from it. Spiritual power is in the word of God and not in some emotional display. If I saw what this woman was looking for it would cause me to leave. We need to be seeking God and his word to change our hearts and lives. Like the scripture above says to be doers and not hearers only. Anyone who listens to the word but then does not remember what it said is like a person who looks in the mirror at himself and walks away and forgets what he saw. Did I see a speck of dirt that needs to be washed away? Does the word show me something in my heart that I need to take care of?  I think of many Pastors that study the word and try to break it down for us. Finding take aways from that word that will help and change our lives.  I believe there can be emotion as the spirit of God talks to our heart. I am a person that finds tears come easy to my eyes and many times I wonder if it is learned behavior from my emotionalism upbringing. We do want to worship in spirit and truth. It is ok to feel emotion. Does that emotion cause us to worship the one true God. Do we feel grateful for the changes God brought into our lives? We need God to change our hearts and lives, not to look spiritual to those around us but to actually live out the truth of God's word in our lives every day.  I am thankful for the start I had, it brought me to the place I am today. I have made changes and I think and believe some things differently than I did in the past. Hopefully I have grown. I don't want just a religion, but a relationship with God.  I want something that challenges and grows me in my walk with God. I don't want to be in the same place I was yesterday. Changes have been gradual, a lot of changes do not happen in an instant but over time as we walk with God.  God bless, LVZ.