I would like to share with you my understanding of the place of emotions in worship when we gather with the saints.
The question is not so much what is right, as when and where it is right. The answer is found in I Corinthians 14:26 — “Let all things be done unto edifying“. Worship can bring about almost any expression of emotions. Emotions are good, but like any good thing it can be misused.
A church service without expression of emotions is dry and unappealing to say the least. We worship a good and living Savior. Knowing Him cannot help but bring about an emotional response of praise, awe, and thankfulness. It is difficult for those who don’t know Him to understand the emotional worship of those who do.
In an assembly of Christians an overly emotional Christian is often a hindrance. His emotions edify only himself and can cause confusion. This type of Christian needs to be less concerned with getting a blessing and more concerned with being a blessing.
These three points are generally good guidelines:
1) Emotions are good. They are God given. Almost any expression of emotions is good–weeping, laughing, shouting, raising of hands, etc. (Psalm 35:27; Psalm 132:9; I Timothy 2:8; Luke 6:23; I Corinthians 12:26; Psalm 134; Psalm 100). There is a proper time and place for all of it.
2) In church we need to function as one body, doing all things unto edifying–building up, blessing the body. If we feel ourselves moving differently than the congregation, we should retreat to the privacy of a prayer room. We should not hinder the ministry or cause confusion by our personal worship (I Corinthians 14:23). All things should be done decently and in order (I Corinthians 14:40).
3) We should never feel that we can’t or shouldn’t worship. We come to church, not only to be taught the Word, but also to express ourselves to God in worship and praise. We can worship God anywhere and anytime, but when with a congregation we should worship as one.
Let mature love for God and others guide your worship. May we grow in truth and in grace and in love for God and others.
We all have emotions. True some are more emotional than others, just as some are more physical or intellectual than others. If we exercise our minds we can become more intellectual. If we exercise our bodies we can become more physical. If you are not very emotional, exercise your emotions. They are God given. They are good. Choose to be emotional, just be careful to never let your emotions rule you.