“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.
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.
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