Menkato V Awomi
Toluvi Village
God is perfect in all His ways. He is never wrong, and His Word is eternal truth. As it is written, “The word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8). But we, as humans, are not perfect—we are frail, flawed, and fall short of His glory. Our weaknesses, when not brought under the lordship of Christ, can distort how we understand and live out our faith.
Today, I want to reflect on two areas that often go unexamined but have significant influence in our Christian walk: emotions and honour. Both are good and God-given, but when mishandled or misunderstood, they can lead us into spiritual confusion, deception, and even bondage. Let’s take an honest look at two negative expressions of each in the context of our Christian faith.
Part 1: The Misguided Role of Emotions in Christian Practice
God created us as emotional beings. Joy, sorrow, anger, compassion—these are all part of the human experience. Expressing emotions is not inherently wrong. In fact, the Psalms are full of raw emotion poured out before God. But problems arise when we begin to equate emotional expressions with spiritual truth or use them to measure one’s standing with God.
1. Emotionalism in Repentance
In many churches both denominational and non denominational and prayer centers there is a belief, sometimes unspoken, that true repentance is only real if it is accompanied by intense emotion, especially tears. People are taught, implicitly or explicitly, that the more you cry, the more you prove your sincerity to God. Some even say that unless your tears "fill a bucket" or your knees are bruised from prayer, your repentance is not accepted by God.
This is not only unbiblical—it is dangerous.
God does not forgive us because we weep enough. He forgives us because of what Christ has done on the Cross. Salvation is by grace through faith, not through emotion (Ephesians 2:8-9). Paul writes, “God demonstrates His love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Forgiveness is not a reward for emotional breakdown—it is a gift freely given to those who believe. Emotional Self Pity is not a faith or repentance.
True repentance is not just sorrow over sin; it is a change of mind and direction (metanoia). A person may cry and still go back to their old ways, while another may never shed a tear and yet turn their life around by surrendering to Christ in faith. We must stop equating tears with transformation. As one preacher rightly said, “You can cry ‘Jesus, Jesus’ at an altar and still leave unchanged if it is not a repentance rooted in faith.”
2. Emotional Suppression in Faith Circles
On the opposite end of the spectrum, many charismatic or “faith” circles discourage the expression of emotions altogether. Crying or showing weakness is sometimes interpreted as a lack of faith. The culture subtly communicates that faith-filled people must always appear strong, composed, and unshaken.
While faith is indeed not about feelings, this teaching is unbalanced and unbiblical. Jesus Himself wept (John 11:35). Paul wrote with tears (Philippians 3:18). David, a man after God’s heart, cried out in anguish in the Psalms. Emotions do not contradict faith—they are part of our humanity. We must never mock or look down on someone who is emotional in their pursuit of God.
At the same time, we must remember that emotions must not lead us—faith must. Crying without faith does not move God. But faith expressed through genuine emotion is beautiful. We should never put God in a box. He can deal with us through His Word, through silence, through a sermon—or even through a moment of deep emotional brokenness. Our job is not to judge how He works in someone else, but to seek Him in spirit and in truth.
Part 2: The Two Faces of Honor in the Church
Honor is a foundational biblical principle. Romans 12:10 tells us to “outdo one another in showing honor.” But as with emotions, honor too has been distorted in modern church culture—especially in areas where spiritual authority is revered without discernment.
1. Abusing Honour from the Pulpit
In many churches today where pastors, evangelists, and missionaries are often given the highest recognition, for some, honor is no longer a sign of mutual respect but a platform for control.
Some leaders begin to treat their congregations like personal employees or fans. They demand special treatment, and unquestioning loyalty. They isolate themselves in a celebrity bubble and see themselves more as CEOs and bosses than shepherds. They forget that leadership in the Kingdom is servant leadership, modeled after Christ, who "came not to be served, but to serve" (Mark 10:45).
The Pharisees loved to be greeted in public and given the best seats at banquets (Luke 20:46). Jesus rebuked this spirit, and yet many of today’s leaders are walking the same path—wearing spiritual badges while abusing the very people they are called to serve. Some have even used the honor given to them to control decisions, silence dissent, and manipulate emotions. This is not the Spirit of God, it is the spirit of pride and flesh.
When God begins to shake His Church as He often does it is this kind of self-glorifying leadership that crumbles first. The honor that was meant to glorify Christ becomes a snare that leads to downfall.
2. Misplaced Honor from the Congregation
But the misuse of honor doesn’t lie only with leaders. There is also a danger among the congregation—the sheep—when they blindly follow and serve without discernment.
Some believers serve their leaders like slaves, not out of love or godly submission, but out of fear, ambition, or a longing to be noticed. They refuse to question even when abuse is evident. They compromise the Word of God for the favor of man. They chase positions and proximity to power, believing that only through these leaders can they enter ministry or receive blessings.
This is idolatry disguised as honour.
God never calls us to become spiritually enslaved to man. We are to honour the anointing, yes—but never tolerate abuse. The same Spirit who gives gifts to leaders also gives discernment to the sheep. If a leader begins to control, manipulate, or abuse in the name of spiritual authority, it is not rebellion to walk away—it is obedience to God.
No one, no matter how anointed is above correction. And no one should be placed in a position where their word is higher than God’s Word.
Conclusion: Glory Belongs to God Alone
Let me be clear: It is God who lifts people up, not man. Leaders are vessels, not sources. Obedience is important, but God's purposes are never limited to one person. If one disobeys, God will raise another. His sovereign will is not fragile. It does not rest on human approval or performance.
The trend in some churches where people say, “If Pastor so and so didn’t obey God, this revival wouldn’t have happened or this church wouldn’t exist and we wouldn’t be here,” is simply not true. God would raise another if someone disobeys, God sovereign will is not depended on anyone else. God may have used that person, but the glory belongs to God alone. He shares His glory with no one (Isaiah 42:8).
So let us be people of balance.
Let us not exalt emotions above the truth of the Gospel, nor suppress them in the name of stoic faith. Let us not idolize spiritual leaders, nor dishonor the ones God has appointed. Let us walk in wisdom, discernment, love, and truth.
Honour all—but be deceived by none.
