Marbaniang, Domenic

Understanding emotions and controlling them is very important for young people, because more than anything, emotions can become a weak spot for the devil by which he can destroy young lives. That’s why the Bible cautions: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” (Prov.4:23). In other words, God wants every young man to make it a priority to guard his/her heart above anything else. “Heart”, in the Bible, is the seat of thoughts, emotions, and decisions, and is the most vulnerable part of the human soul. Therefore, God wants us to protect it. We cannot protect it physically, but only by the power of the Spirit. A person who is overcome by emotions can become an easy prey for the devil. For instance, if a man gives in to anger, he gives the devil a foothold. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. (Eph 4:26,27 ) A foothold is a secure place to stand upon. In other words, the devil

"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14:26) ~The chasm between what is of Adam and what is of Christ is abysmal. It is only through hating them apart from Christ that we can truly love them through Christ. Isn't it obvious that no matter how much we love our own present Adamic life, we can't protect it from death when it comes? The same extends to all human relationships. The grave shuts the door on all. There is no hope apart from the Resurrected Christ. He who seeks to save this life will lose it, but he who loses it for Christ's sake will gain it. Thus, anyone who loves anything above Christ is going to lose both self and all, and so is unfit for discipleship, is unfit for the new life. Anyone who prefers to keep the Adamic against the riches of Christ has no part with Christ. He is like the rich young man who became sad because his h