Shallow Emotional Faith Experiences

“Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” — Matthew 13:18-23 NRSV.

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What we have said up until now naturally leads us to a few broader observations about what we might call the emotional form of spiritual experience. The position we are about to take on this challenging subject rests on two central ideas.

First, the human mind is divided into distinct faculties. It operates through the intellect, the emotional sensibilities, and the will. Emotional states belong to a real and significant subdivision within this mental structure.

 Second, the work of the Holy Spirit in the human mind is varied. At times, it may reach and govern the entire person. In other cases, it may act only on the intellect, or only on the emotions — producing certain real effects, while leaving other, more essential changes unrealized.

I. The Spirit’s Work in the Intellect and Emotions

We begin with this foundational point: it is the proper work of the Holy Spirit, when He acts, to influence the human intellect — especially by helping it recognize and grasp truth. How this influence operates is, like much else in spiritual life, mysterious. But its usual outcome is clear: truth is communicated.

When this happens, the soul comes to understand something spiritually that it did not understand before. This newly given knowledge may differ in kind or depth depending on the subject itself and on the circumstances that made divine instruction necessary.

Yet the Spirit’s work rarely stops at the intellect alone. Human nature is ordered in such a way that the perception of truth is normally followed by an effect on the emotional part of the mind — what we call the feelings or sensibilities. Because this response follows intellectual understanding, we might describe it as lying “behind” the intellect.

The emotional response varies widely. It depends on the nature of the truth received and the condition of the heart at the time. For example, the truth that Jesus Christ came to save sinners brings deep joy to someone who knows their need of a Savior. To someone who feels no such need, that same truth may stir nothing at all.

Because of this, it is possible for the Holy Spirit to act upon the intellect in a genuine way without producing any sanctifying or saving change in the heart. In some cases, the truth that enters the mind is actively resisted by the emotions — it is met with indifference, contempt, or even hostility.

Experiences like these, which never move beyond intellectual awareness, are not considered spiritual experience in the true sense. Though they may involve divine influence, they lack the inward acceptance that characterizes genuine spirituality — and so we need not dwell on them further.

II. Emotional Experience Without Inner Transformation

Let us now consider a different and more common scenario. Imagine a person who is clearly the subject of divine influence. Through this inward work, they gain new insight into their condition, their need of a Savior, and the possibility of reconciliation with God. So far, this experience is entirely intellectual.
Such understanding is undoubtedly valuable, and no one would deny its importance. Still, intellect alone cannot constitute true spirituality.

Now suppose that this intellectual awakening is followed by a strong emotional response. The person feels joy — first because truth has been revealed, and then because that truth seems personally connected to their salvation. Their happiness overflows. They speak in new ways, praising God openly. Others rejoice with them and are quick to affirm that this person has found salvation in Christ.

But has this person fully experienced all that saving faith can mean?

They certainly have had an experience, and a meaningful one at that. It may be encouraging. It is closely related to genuine spirituality and looks very much like it. Yet if the experience stops here — if it remains nothing more than enlightened understanding and elevated emotion, without reaching deeper into the soul — then it cannot, on solid grounds, be called full saving faith.

It is preparatory. It is hopeful. But it is not the thing itself. The essential, life‑giving element of true inward renewal is still missing.

III. The Deeper Region: Desires, Affections, and Will

Beyond intellect and emotion lies an even deeper region of the soul — the realm of desires, affections, and the will. Just as emotions follow intellectual understanding, these inner drives lie behind emotional experience itself.

Any spirituality, or any appearance of spirituality, that fails to penetrate this inner territory — and to bring the affections and the will into submission to God — is ultimately empty.

It is a sobering truth that a person may be spiritually enlightened and deeply moved, yet still remain ruled by natural desires. Many can speak fluently about faith, express strong hope, and display intense feeling, while still loving the world more than God.

What is lacking is what must occur in all who enter true communion with God: the death of the old nature.

Such individuals may clearly be in advance of where they once were. Their understanding has grown. Their emotions have been stirred. But challenge them to self‑denial. Touch the cherished idols of the heart. Call them to the surrender of all — and the depth of their remaining bondage becomes immediately evident.

God has not yet become the life of the soul. At the demand that all be yielded to Him, the still‑active spirit of self will rise up in resistance — revealing a heart far removed from the peace and purity of holiness.

1. Why Many Fall Away

These principles help explain why, during times of heightened religious interest, so many appear engaged for a season and then slowly drift back into worldly life. They truly experienced something inward — something commonly labeled “spiritual experience.” But it lacked a root.

They received the word with joy, yet it never took hold deeply enough to transform the will. They did not learn what it means to present themselves fully to God — as living sacrifices. They did not grasp, much less live out, the reality of “all of God and nothing of the self.”

2. The Value — and Danger — of Emotional Experience

None of this is meant to deny the value of emotional experience. By itself, it is empty. But in its relationships — especially when it leads onward to deeper surrender — it can be deeply encouraging.
It is good when truth reaches the intellect. It is even better when that truth stirs the heart. These are hopeful signs. The danger arises when people are encouraged to believe they are truly spiritual simply because they have felt deeply.

This danger is real and serious, and it is especially the responsibility of teachers and ministers to guard against it with care and wisdom.

3. A Final Appeal

To all who desire the true inward life, this conclusion must be urged: do not rest in intellectual clarity alone. Do not rest in joyful emotions, or any emotions that end with themselves. Let nothing satisfy you — and let nothing satisfy God — except the full subjection of every natural desire, and the replacement of self‑centered aims with desires and aims that end wholly in God.

Press forward, then, with steady resolve toward the complete renewal of the inner life: deeper illumination of the conscience; the sanctifying of the desires; and the surrender of the will — so proud and resistant by nature — to the will of God.

Do not fear that God will abandon you. Using the light He has already given, and strengthened by the emotions He has already stirred, form the unshakable purpose to be wholly His.

The struggle will often be severe. Natural desires are stubborn and strong. Human strength cannot overcome them. But God has promised: My grace is sufficient for you.

Desire after desire will fall. Idol after idol will be dismantled. Grace will gain ground. And in time, the Holy Spirit will dwell fully and permanently in a purified heart — until victory itself sits crowned at its center.

 

 

Jehovah, sovereign of my heart!
My joy by night and day!
From Thee, oh may I never part,
From Thee ne'er go astray.
Whene'er allurements round me stand,
And tempt me from my choice;
Oh, let me find thy gracious hand,
Oh, let me hear thy voice!

 

 

 

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This is a revision of Part 1, Chapter 16 of Thomas C. Upham's book The Interior or Hidden Life (2nd edition 1844), written with the assistance of Microslop CoPilot. The original chapter can be found here: On the nature and relations of Emotional Experience.