Balancing Emotion and Reason

Originally published in The Daily Sentinel on Friday, September 14, 2007.


This month marks a major anniversary – one that EVERYONE should remember! I’ll give you a hint: This is the 20th anniversary. Remember 1987?

Still not sure? I’ll give another clue: television. Now I’m SURE you remember! …No? Alright, this month marks the 20th anniversary of the “Star Trek: The Next Generation” premier.

Can you believe we’ve been watching the adventures of Captain Picard, Commander Riker, Lt. Commander Data, and the rest for 20 years?! (Of course, you realize that Captain Kirk, Commander Spock and Dr. McCoy are 40 years in the past….)

I admit it: I am a die-hard “Trekker.” I grew up on the original series and I waited with breathless anticipation for the debut of “Next Gen.” In some ways, the first show was terrific; disappointing in others. Over time, however, the Next Gen characters became much more “real” than the original series’ cast.

Data, in particular, fascinates me. He was in some ways the antithesis of Spock. Spock experienced emotions but suppressed them in favor of cold logic. Data was the epitome of cold logic – but his greatest desire was to be human.

Humans are a complex blending of cold logical reasoning and hot-blooded emotionalism. Letting either of them take over and chaos results. The second half of the 20th century was characterized by the philosophy of “if it feels good, do it.” But the rampant sexuality, drug abuse, and irresponsibility paved the way for two generations of broken homes, broken hearts and broken lives.

Doing what feels good can be great – but only if it’s done within the context of responsible reason. For some people, abusing others emotionally, verbally and physically feels good. But that certainly doesn’t make their behavior right! Others feel good when they take advantage of those less intelligent, less powerful, or less fortunate. Greed and oppression are emotions – but they aren’t good ones.

On the other hand, simple logic can also be dangerous. It seems logical to hurt someone else before that person hurts you. We can rationalize our behaviors to the point that care, concern and love are lost. When we lose our compassion, we have lost a core component of what God has given us.

I am convinced that God’s grace is experienced with both logic and emotion. Becoming a believer in Jesus Christ is both an intellectual acceptance of Jesus’ death, resurrection and return, and an emotional response to that acceptance. Paul says it well in Romans 8:

“Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace…

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

The Holy Spirit witnesses to our spirits: “You belong to God!” WOW!! That’s powerful stuff! I can’t help but get emotional when I take time to really think about that. Thinking and feeling are both part of the Christian experience. So if you’ve “lost that lovin’ feeling” towards God, maybe you haven’t been thinking about him enough. If all you’re doing is thinking about God and not doing anything for God, then your emotional well has probably run dry.


So the lesson I’ve learned from Star Trek is this: Don’t try to be Spock. Don’t try to be Data. Just be the person God created YOU to be! Balanced between emotions and reason.