Let's Go Back to the Bible

Some Emoticons of the Bible

Emoticons are those facial expressions that you make in your texts, emails, Facebook statuses and Tweets using letters and symbols. They reflect the mood or emotion of the writer. The most popular emoticon (or “emoji” as they are commonly referred to) is the smiley face :-). There are also the upgraded versions in full color. Emojis are becoming so popular that there is an author currently raising funds to write the Emoji version of the Bible.

So, why are we talking about this? Emotion plays a large part of who we are and how we interact with each other and the world around us. One listing states that there are 5,844 Scriptures that mention the emotion of either humans or of God. That is a large number and calls to our attention the importance of emotion in our faith. Let me be clear about one thing. I am not promoting emotionalism or the over emphasis of pure emotion. There must be a balance between logic and emotion or heart and mind. “A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back” (Prov. 29:11).

Let’s look at some examples from the Bible. Love is said to be the greatest of emotions (1 Cor. 13:13). We can see how important love is as it is the very basis or reason for our salvation (John 3:16; 1 John 4:9-10). Love is something that should define us as Christians (John 13:35) and is a requirement for truly knowing God (1 John 4:7-11). Love also casts out all fear (1 John 4:18).

Fearis another very real emotion. It is something that is a reaction to a stimulus like a scary movie, person, place or situation. On the night of His betrayal, Jesus said this to the disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27). In the same discourse, He goes on to speak of difficult times, but He closes with this, “But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). There is nothing in the world that should cause us to fear.

Anger is another strong emotion, and though anger itself is not a sin, unresolved anger gives way to the devil. “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil” (Eph. 4:26-27).

Joy is an emotion that many strive for, yet find it very elusive. It is elusive because they search for in it all the wrong places (Psa. 32:11; Rom. 14:17; Gal. 5:22; 1 John 1:4; Jude 24).

Whatever the emotion is, we can be certain of two things—there is an emoji for it and a Bible verse for it.