Summary:

Emotions are feelings caused by pain or pleasure which are designed to move you in a certain direction. Emotions are a gift God gave you so you could
enjoy life, His presence, and others. However, perverted emotions can
move you away from God’s will for your life. When you pay attention to
Satan’s words more than you do the Word of God, your thinking will be
influenced by him, and your emotions will follow suit.

1. When your soul (your mind, will, and emotions) is prosperous, you will excel in life (3 John 2).
   1. Your soul includes your emotions.
   2. The success you have in soul management determines the degree of success you have in life management.
      1. God created us to be in control of our emotions.
         1. Your emotions should never control you.
   3. When you lose control of your emotions, you'll try to control other people.
      
      
2. Negative words produce negative thinking, which produces negative emotions.
   1. Adam and Eve knew what God said regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16, 17).
      1. Satan spoke words that contradicted God's words (Genesis 3:1-3).
         1. Don't ever pay attention to words that go against God's Word.
         2. The enemy will always speak contrary to God's Word (vs 4, 5).
   2. What you give your attention to will birth a desire for that thing (v 6).
   3. It isn't until after you disobey God that you realize the mistake you made.
      1. Adam and Eve's spiritual eyes were opened after they ate the fruit (v 7).
   4. Negative emotions, when not dealt with, will give birth to sin.
      1. The degree to which you gain control of your emotions, is the degree to which you will walk free from the dictates of sin.
      2. How you deal with your emotions will determine if you walk in the blessing of God, or the curse.
      3. Negative emotions will take you in the wrong direction.
         1. Most people who disobey God are emotionally ruled.
   5. Don't reason with the Word because you feel a certain way.
      1. The Word must be your final authority.
      2. Base your decisions on the Word, not on how you feel.

• 3 John 2
• Genesis 2:16, 17
• Genesis 3:1-7