Emotion Vs. Logic in Decision Making - An Essay by Amber Schamel
Decisions, decisions…
Cliché? Maybe. But it’s true. Decisions lace every aspect of our lives, and (no matter how much most of us would rather shy away from them) every act, every motion is some sort of decision. Getting up in the morning is a decision. Which shirt to put on, what to eat for breakfast, how much sugar to put in the coffee…all of this includes decisions. Then, of course, there are big decisions. Like whether to serve the Lord or yourself. Who (or if) to marry. What to do for a living, etc. Even Jesus had to make decisions, and his life purpose and plan was very clear, yet He still had to go through the Garden of Gethsemane experience.
Cliché? Maybe. But it’s true. Decisions lace every aspect of our lives, and (no matter how much most of us would rather shy away from them) every act, every motion is some sort of decision. Getting up in the morning is a decision. Which shirt to put on, what to eat for breakfast, how much sugar to put in the coffee…all of this includes decisions. Then, of course, there are big decisions. Like whether to serve the Lord or yourself. Who (or if) to marry. What to do for a living, etc. Even Jesus had to make decisions, and his life purpose and plan was very clear, yet He still had to go through the Garden of Gethsemane experience.
You see, God don’t make all of our decisions. And there’s many times that God doesn’t tell His prophets just what to do, because they have to make the decision. If there is no decision that we have to make, just wait every move on God, then there is no overcoming on our part. And sometimes, they make the wrong decision. God’s anointed prophets makes the wrong decisions, and many times are deceived.
59-0611 - The Time Of Decision
Rev. William Marrion Branham (Emphasis mine.)
59-0611 - The Time Of Decision
Rev. William Marrion Branham (Emphasis mine.)
What a point. If there are no decisions, there’s no overcoming on our part.
Makes me look at decisions a little differently.
So then, if we all HAVE to make decisions, HOW should we make our decisions? Most human beings operate on two ends of the spectrum. They either make decisions emotionally, or logically. There has been a lot written by philosophers and psychologists on this topic, but often their statements are contradictory. For example, when one says;
Makes me look at decisions a little differently.
So then, if we all HAVE to make decisions, HOW should we make our decisions? Most human beings operate on two ends of the spectrum. They either make decisions emotionally, or logically. There has been a lot written by philosophers and psychologists on this topic, but often their statements are contradictory. For example, when one says;
“The sign of an intelligent person is their ability to control emotions by the application of reason.” ~Marya Mannes, American Author and Critic
Another says;
“Your intellect may be confused, but your emotions will never lie to you.” ~Roger Ebert, American Film Critic
Another says;
“Your intellect may be confused, but your emotions will never lie to you.” ~Roger Ebert, American Film Critic
So, the one says you aren’t smart if you listen to your emotions, and the other says your emotions will never lie to you, but intellect will?
“Where we have strong emotions, we’re liable to fool ourselves.” ~Carl Sagan, American Astronomer
“Emotions have taught mankind to reason.” ~Luc de Clapiers, French Moralist and Writer.
“Emotions have taught mankind to reason.” ~Luc de Clapiers, French Moralist and Writer.
The contradictions can be confusing and cause us to write them off as stuff and nonsense, but in truth these two extremes show us EXTREME THEORY from which we can gain a balance. So, don’t throw it all out completely.
FIRST, however, we ought to ask, what does the Bible say about that? While the Scriptures only mention the word “decision” in one verse, there are a lot of other passages that refer to decision making indirectly.
He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. ~Proverbs 18:13
“The simple believeth every word, but the prudent man looketh well to his going. ~Proverbs 14:15
The Proverbs also talk a lot about “Judgment” and how it is our duty to do righteous judgment. The judgment it refers to is weighing facts and making a decision about them.
However, on the other side of the coin, we also see the very first example of a decision in Scripture was that of Eve in the Garden of Eden. Satan used logic and reason to get her to make the wrong decision. We also see Jesus rebuking His disciples with the words, “Oh ye of little faith, Why reason ye within yourselves?” But we also see Paul reasoning with the Jews and using logic and the prophecies to explain the Gospel to them. And by this method, many believed.
We also know that humans are emotional creatures, and yet we are created in the image of God. God Himself is emotional.
One thought came to me as I mulled over this. At first glance, it would seem God’s decision to leave the splendor of Heaven and come to earth to die for a sinful, unfaithful people was completely emotional. No logic to it. But as I mused, I began to think that maybe my first assumption was wrong.
God is in perfect balance. He is the epitome of balance. The Redemption decision was emotional at the root, but there was also logic to it. God wanted fellowship with us. He wanted His Bride. That piece was emotional, but to provide a perfect sacrifice, one that would pay the fine so we could be set free, was logical.
So, what is the conclusion of the whole matter? To me it is threefold. First, decisions should be a balance of emotion and logic. The two quotes below explain why very succinctly.
FIRST, however, we ought to ask, what does the Bible say about that? While the Scriptures only mention the word “decision” in one verse, there are a lot of other passages that refer to decision making indirectly.
He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. ~Proverbs 18:13
“The simple believeth every word, but the prudent man looketh well to his going. ~Proverbs 14:15
The Proverbs also talk a lot about “Judgment” and how it is our duty to do righteous judgment. The judgment it refers to is weighing facts and making a decision about them.
However, on the other side of the coin, we also see the very first example of a decision in Scripture was that of Eve in the Garden of Eden. Satan used logic and reason to get her to make the wrong decision. We also see Jesus rebuking His disciples with the words, “Oh ye of little faith, Why reason ye within yourselves?” But we also see Paul reasoning with the Jews and using logic and the prophecies to explain the Gospel to them. And by this method, many believed.
We also know that humans are emotional creatures, and yet we are created in the image of God. God Himself is emotional.
One thought came to me as I mulled over this. At first glance, it would seem God’s decision to leave the splendor of Heaven and come to earth to die for a sinful, unfaithful people was completely emotional. No logic to it. But as I mused, I began to think that maybe my first assumption was wrong.
God is in perfect balance. He is the epitome of balance. The Redemption decision was emotional at the root, but there was also logic to it. God wanted fellowship with us. He wanted His Bride. That piece was emotional, but to provide a perfect sacrifice, one that would pay the fine so we could be set free, was logical.
So, what is the conclusion of the whole matter? To me it is threefold. First, decisions should be a balance of emotion and logic. The two quotes below explain why very succinctly.
“When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but with creatures of emotion.” ~Dale Carnegie, American Writer and Lecturer.
If you are a person, and you’re dealing with people, there will be emotions involved. And, like it or not, those emotions have to be considered. Funny how the emotion even creeps into the logic side there, huh? 😉
“The essential difference between emotion and reason is that emotion leads to action while reason leads to conclusions.” ~Donald Caine, Canadian Neurologist.
Ah, yes. The reason that emotion is IMPORTANT, not just there. Logic is all well and good. Logic can often lead us to a wiser decision. But in the end, it is emotion that causes action. Thus, the need for the balance of the two in decision making.
The second conclusion is that a Christian’s decisions don’t stop at emotion and logic. It goes a step farther than that.
There is emotion, there is logic, and then there is faith. Is faith emotional? Sometimes. Sometimes not. Emotion works against faith when you feel like everything is working against your miracle. Logic can also work against faith. When every doctor and every symptom tells you you’ll die, never be healed. You make your decisions on faith anyway.
This element of faith leads us to this all-important point, the third conclusion. Regardless of whether the decision is made by emotion, logic, faith, or a balance, the one thing that MUST be considered is if it lines up with the Word of God. The decision to divorce your spouse may be a balance of logic and emotion. It may seem logical for a woman to wear pants. But if it goes against the Word of God, it’s the wrong decision.
The second conclusion is that a Christian’s decisions don’t stop at emotion and logic. It goes a step farther than that.
There is emotion, there is logic, and then there is faith. Is faith emotional? Sometimes. Sometimes not. Emotion works against faith when you feel like everything is working against your miracle. Logic can also work against faith. When every doctor and every symptom tells you you’ll die, never be healed. You make your decisions on faith anyway.
This element of faith leads us to this all-important point, the third conclusion. Regardless of whether the decision is made by emotion, logic, faith, or a balance, the one thing that MUST be considered is if it lines up with the Word of God. The decision to divorce your spouse may be a balance of logic and emotion. It may seem logical for a woman to wear pants. But if it goes against the Word of God, it’s the wrong decision.
Now, the first thing you must do, is surrender yourself entirely to Christ, and surrender your mind to His Word. “Lord, I won’t act upon my own feelings, upon my own thoughts. I will only act upon Your Word. I’ll have no control of my own thoughts concerning it. I will act upon Your Word.” Now, get that straight.
50-0824 - To Whom Is The Arm Of The Lord Revealed?
Rev. William Marrion Branham (emphasis mine)
50-0824 - To Whom Is The Arm Of The Lord Revealed?
Rev. William Marrion Branham (emphasis mine)