430 The Spiritual Man
Similarly, one should refrain from doing anything which might
stir up his emotion unnecessarily. Sometimes it is peaceful and quiet,
but subsequently we do something will-fully our own which
immediately activates the emotion unduly. Such cases are frequent,
with great damage inflicted upon our spiritual life. We must deny all
that disturbs the peace of our soul. Not only should we not do
anything during emotional crisis; we also should not do anything
which tends to induce such a crisis. Does this therefore imply the
opposite: that we can do nothing wrong if what we do is decided or
performed in a time of emotional quietude? Not necessarily at all, for
instead of being led by the spirit we may unfortunately be led by our
“cold emotion.” If such be the case, the work we do shall soon
activate our “warm” emotion. Those who have had experiences along
this line may recall how in writing a letter or meeting a person their
emotion became greatly agitated, proving that what they were
undertaking was out of God’s will.
Emotion and WorkHeretofore we have stressed the truth that the spirit alone can do
spiritual work, so that any work not achieved by it counts for
nothing. This truth is so vital that we feel led to restate it in
additional detail.
Today men give much attention to psychology. Even many who
serve the Lord feel they must diligently study psychology. These
believe if only their words, teachings, presentations, manners and
interpretations can be made psychologically appealing to people, that
many could be won to Christ. Psychology naturally refers in large
part to the workings of man’s emotion. Occasionally it does seem to
be helpful, but a child of God who relies on emotion serves no
productive purpose for the Lord.
We recognize already that regeneration of the spirit is the
paramount need of man. Any work which cannot quicken man’s dead