Introduction To Emotional Complex Of Sins

Sep 24, 2025 • James Ramieri

09-24-25 Sermon: barriers to the faith rest life: arrogance complex of sins part 3 and introduction to emotional complex of sins

Sermon Outline: The Faith-Rest Life, Arrogance vs. Humility, Emotional Complex of Sins, and Case Study in Saul and David (1 Samuel 15–19; Romans 5; Romans 8; Philippians 4; Proverbs 29; Psalm 42; Romans 12)

Opening Procedure: Silent prayer to ensure the filling of the Spirit.

Scripture: 1 John 1:9

Exegetical notes (as presented):

“He is faithful” indicates God always does what He promises.

“He is justified” because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ; all sins have been paid for, but personal sin breaks fellowship.

Confession (“naming and citing” the sin) restores fellowship and the filling of the Spirit, necessary because the Holy Spirit is our teacher.

Practical application: Cast cares upon the Lord before study in order to concentrate on the Word (principle reflected in 1 Peter 5:7, though not cited).

Pastoral Prayer: Intercessions for healing and comfort (names mentioned; summary only).

Series Review and Flow of Doctrine

Macro-series path:

Initial series: Eternal security (remaining studies pending).

Transition to: Salvation by faith alone in Christ alone—under attack by the kingdom of darkness.

Sub-study: Propitiation.

Current study: The Faith-Rest Life, with focus on the Arrogance Complex of Sins and the Emotional Complex of Sins.

Propitiation:

Theological statement (as presented): Jesus Christ’s sacrifice paid the penalty for sins, satisfying divine justice; the “finished work of Christ” is perpetually under satanic attack throughout history.

Satanic Strategy:

If a believer is saved, Satan cannot undo salvation, but targets their life on earth to:

Prevent learning doctrine.

Promote false doctrine.

Remove believers from the plan of God.

Counterfeits:

Counterfeit gospel, Jesus, Lord’s Supper.

Discussion preview: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a secularized appropriation of biblical principles (removing God from the framework). Modern psychology is predated by Scripture.

Scripture (conceptual citation during this point): John 1:1 — emphasis on the primacy of the Word.

The Faith-Rest Life: Definition and Three-Step Drill

Purpose: To live the Christian life under pressure and in routine by faith.

Step 1: Claiming the promises of God.

Function: Calms the believer but does not sustain in severe testing.

Practical note: Promise book usage is helpful but preliminary.

Step 2: Doctrinal rationales.

Build rational explanations from doctrine that support promises:

Sovereignty of God: God is in complete control; nothing happens apart from His plan or permission (even divine discipline is within the plan).

Omnipotence: God is all-powerful; He can fulfill what He promises.

Step 3: Doctrinal conclusions.

Result: Stabilizing conviction formed by combining promises and rationales.

Theological Foundation: Justification, Peace, Perseverance, and Hope

Scripture: Romans 5:1–5

Romans 5:1 — “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Exegetical emphasis (as preached): Justification (aorist passive participle) denotes a completed, once-for-all legal status. Immediate result is objective “peace with God.”

Christological emphasis: Peace mediated “through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Romans 5:2 — “Through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we exult in hope of the glory of God.”

“Introduction” (prosagōgē): Formal access into the sphere of grace; secure standing.

Eschatological hope: Rejoicing aimed toward future glorification.

Romans 5:3–4 — “We also exult in our tribulations… tribulation brings perseverance; perseverance, proven character; proven character, hope.”

Chain of development: Thlipsis → hypomonē → dokimē → elpis.

Pastoral application (as preached): God uses pressure to drive dependence on Him, converting pressure into spiritual advancement.

Romans 5:5 — “Hope does not disappoint… because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit.”

Pneumatology: The Spirit pours God’s love into our hearts, stabilizing the soul under pressure.

The Faith-Rest Life in Romans 8: Promise, Rationale, Conclusion

Scripture: Romans 8:28–39

Romans 8:28 — Promise:

“God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Clarification: Not “all things are good,” but that God sovereignly works all things toward good.

Romans 8:29–30 — Rationale:

“Whom He foreknew… predestined… called… justified… glorified.”

Exegetical note (as presented):

Foreknowledge: God knew all about the believer in eternity past.

Predestination: Pre-designed plan from eternity.

“Glorified” in the aorist (past) tense: Spoken as accomplished—assurance of outcome.

Romans 8:31–39 — Doctrinal conclusions:

Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Omnipresence applied: God is already present in future problems; He is at work for good before we perceive the trial.

Emotional Complex of Sins: Design, Danger, and Biblical Remedy

Design of emotion:

Term: Emotion (pathos).

Design: Created by God to be a responder, not a leader; the appreciator in the soul.

Warning: When emotion replaces thought, the believer becomes vulnerable to irrationality and reversionism.

Secular CBT versus Biblical Renewal:

Secular CBT: Thoughts → feelings → actions; recognizes that no one “makes” you feel anything; feelings respond to cognitions.

Limitation: Relies on human willpower/self-management; insufficient for spiritual transformation.

Biblical approach: Recognizes the sequence but grounds renewal in divine means—Word, Spirit, grace—to stabilize emotions by renewing the mind with Bible doctrine.

Scripture: Proverbs 29:11

“A fool always loses his temper, but a wise person holds it back.”

Exegesis/Application:

“Fool” evidences emotion leading; lacks doctrinal control.

“Wise person” exercises restraint; thought leads emotion.

Application: Leaders and parents regret actions done out of anger; wisdom restrains impulsivity.

Scripture: Romans 12:2

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

Grammar/Exegesis (as presented):

“Be transformed” = present passive imperative (metamorphoō):

Present: Continuous process.

Passive: The subject receives action—God is the agent; transformation is received, not achieved by self-help.

Imperative: Command; believers present themselves to God’s means.

Imagery: Metamorphosis—caterpillar to butterfly.

Negation: Do not be pressed into the world’s mold.

Means:

The Word of God as instrument; consistent intake imparts divine power.

Positive volition: God honors hunger for truth; daily intake is spiritually nutritive.

Testimony: Extensive doctrinal listening (e.g., Colossians series; 355 hours on Moses) as devotional practice.

Scripture: Psalm 42:5

“Why are you in despair, O my soul? … Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him…”

Exegesis/Application:

David models doctrinal self-talk: Address the soul; interrogate emotion with truth.

Faith-rest: Anticipatory praise—confidence in future deliverance despite present distress.

Volitional choice: Wait/hope in God; trust divine timing and plan.

Scripture: Philippians 4:6–8

4:6 — “Do not be anxious about anything… in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Exegetical nuance (as preached): Imperative with force “stop being anxious”—arrest ongoing anxiety at recognition.

Protocol:

Stop anxiety.

Replace with prayer and supplication.

Include thanksgiving—trust in divine purpose allows gratitude in trials.

Theology of suffering: God permits trials to advance maturity; thanksgiving anticipates blessing.

4:7 — “The peace of God… will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Supernatural peace: Functions as a garrison over heart and mind; not circumstantially warranted.

4:8 — Thought curation:

“Whatever is true… honorable… right… pure… lovely… commendable… excellent… worthy of praise—think on these things.”

Application: Replace human viewpoint with divine viewpoint; deliberate thought curation produces emotional stability.

Application dialogue:

Transfer of care: “Lord, this is Your problem”—releasing anxiety yields experiential peace.

Rebuke of distortion: Trials are not failures of faith; suffering is the corridor to capacity for blessing (“escrow blessings” concept).

Case Study: Saul’s Arrogance and Emotional Spiral vs. David’s Faith-Rest (1 Samuel 15–19)

Orientation: Forthcoming focus centers on 1 Samuel 18–19, with context from 1 Samuel 15–17.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15 — Saul’s Partial Obedience and Divine Rejection

15:3 — Command to “utterly destroy” Amalek.

15:9 — Saul spares Agag and the best animals (rationalized as “sacrifice”).

15:22 — “To obey is better than sacrifice.”

15:23–35 — God rejects Saul; Samuel executes Agag.

Doctrinal observations:

Partial obedience equals disobedience; selective obedience produces predictable negative results.

Rationalizing sin with religious activity is arrogance; God values obedience to His Word over ritual.

Leaders held to stricter standards: “To whom much is given, much is required.”

Divine justice and discipline follow persistent rejection of doctrine.

Arrogance manifests as partial obedience; human rationalization replaces divine authority.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16 — God Chooses David by Heart; Saul’s Torment

16:1 — God sends Samuel to anoint a new king.

16:6–7 — “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

16:11–13 — David (the youngest) anointed; the Spirit comes upon David.

16:14 — The Spirit departs from Saul; an “evil spirit” torments him.

Exegetical note (as presented):

Hebrew idiom: “From God” may indicate what God permits rather than directly causes.

Hebrew ra (רַע): Can denote moral evil, calamitous, troubling, or harmful.

Theologically: Likely removal of restraining grace; judgment exposing Saul’s instability and arrogance (pattern comparable to Job’s testing; Pharaoh hardens heart first, then God hardens).

Key principles:

God chooses leaders based on the heart, not appearance.

The filling of the Spirit is essential for divine service.

Divine promotion comes from God, not man.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17 — David and Goliath: Faith-Rest in Action

Setting: Goliath challenges Israel; Saul and army fearful (17:11, 24).

17:47 — “The battle is the Lord’s.”

17:16 — Goliath taunts for forty days (public pressure context).

David volunteers, confident in the Lord; attributes victory to God.

Faith-Rest drill in action:

Step 1: Promise confidence.

Step 2: Rationales—God’s character; prior deliverances (lion and bear).

Step 3: Conclusion—decisive faith-driven action.

Contrast:

Saul’s anxiety and fleshly stalemate vs. David’s faith-rest and decisive victory.

Pastoral application: When we switch from our strength to God’s strength, we have peace; the Lord’s battle mentality reframes conflict.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 18 — Jealousy, Pride, and Escalating Vindictiveness

18:6–8 — Women sing: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”

Saul becomes very angry; “What more can he have but the kingdom?”

Analytical note: David did nothing wrong; Saul’s reaction is self-generated through arrogance.

Principle: Pride is the outward manifestation (fruit) of arrogance; measuring worth by comparison and recognition, not obedience.

18:9–11 — Saul eyes David; “evil spirit” episode; Saul raves; throws spear; David escapes.

Idiom recap: “Evil spirit from God” indicates removal of restraint—permitting judgment consistent with Saul’s chosen path.

18:12–30 — Fear, schemes, and traps:

Saul fears David because the Lord is with him.

He offers daughters as a trap to kill David in battle.

Vindictiveness, manipulation; uses others to harm a perceived enemy.

Note: David is not Saul’s enemy; perception distorted by arrogance.

Doctrinal takeaway:

Jealousy is a key arrogant sin—self-focused, resents others’ blessing, destroys objectivity.

Arrogance produces blackout of the soul and scar tissue; hardened heart.

Spiral: Pride → jealousy → resentment → vindictiveness → hatred → implacability.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 19 — Implacability and Murderous Rage

19:1–2 — Saul orders Jonathan and servants to kill David.

19:9–10 — “Evil spirit” episode recurs; Saul attempts to kill David with a spear.

Pattern of implacability:

No capacity for forgiveness or reconciliation; hardened in arrogance.

Cross-references (pattern demonstration):

1 Samuel 24 — David spares Saul.

1 Samuel 26 — David spares Saul again.

Despite mercy, Saul cannot be reconciled; obsession persists.

Key principles:

Implacability is an unsatisfiable, irreconcilable attitude.

Hatred equals murder in the heart (NT principle applied).

Arrogance blinds to reality; results in divine discipline and loss of kingship.

Leadership and Divine Justice: The Moses Parallel (Illustrative Principle)

Illustration reference: Numbers 20 (implied) and wilderness failures.

The nation fails repeatedly; Moses fails once (strikes the rock; calls them rebels); barred from entering the Promised Land.

Principle: To whom much is given, much is required.

Teaching warning: Do not misrepresent God’s character and grace when teaching His Word.

Barriers to the Faith-Rest Life: Arrogance and Emotion

Clarification:

Many believers become “sin-conscious” in overt immorality, but subtle inner dynamics (arrogance and emotional sins) often derail believers from God’s plan.

Arrogance definition (as given):

“Self-importance elevated above the authority and the Word of God.”

Plan of God vs. Cosmic System:

Pre-Designed Plan of God vs. Cosmic system (world system under Satan).

Cosmic One: Preoccupation with self—leads into sin.

Cosmic Two: Hatred complex—self-righteousness and legalism.

Fellowship dynamics:

One sin removes fellowship; by default, you begin executing Satan’s plan instead of God’s.

Prolonged stay in the cosmic system leads to:

Blackout of the soul (lack of intake of light/doctrine).

Scar tissue/callousing of the soul (hardening of the right lobe; reduced receptivity to truth).

Recovery principle:

Requires humility; often produced through divine discipline.

Testimony: Extended period (20 years) under blackout and scar tissue; suffering used to humble and restore.

Anthropological note: Humans are not naturally humble; God often introduces circumstances to bring humility and return to His plan.

Practical Doctrine: Living the Faith-Rest Life and Avoiding Saul’s Pattern

Keep short accounts with God:

Confess sins promptly (1 John 1:9) to restore fellowship and the Spirit’s filling.

Engage the three-step drill consistently:

Step 1: Claim promises (Romans 8:28).

Step 2: Build rationales from God’s attributes:

Sovereignty: God is in control.

Omnipotence: God is able.

Omnipresence: God is already there in your future trial.

Step 3: Form conclusions:

Nothing can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:31–39).

Discern and reject counterfeits:

Identify secularized truths that strip God (e.g., CBT) and re-anchor methods in Scripture and the Spirit.

Guard the soul from cosmic influence:

Avoid prolonged carnality; prevent blackout and scar tissue by consistent intake of doctrine.

Pursue humility:

James 4:6 — “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Welcome divine correction as grace discipline aimed at restoration to the pre-designed plan of God.

Grace orientation in salvation and recovery:

Ephesians 2:8–9 — Salvation by grace through faith; removes boasting. The Christian walk must match salvation’s grace orientation.

1 John 1:9 — Rebound is instantaneous; cosmic scar tissue may take time to heal, but fellowship is restored immediately.

Peace Protocol: Shift from Flesh to Faith

Scripture: Philippians 4:6–7

Protocol sequence:

Stop anxiety.

Pray with supplication.

Add thanksgiving.

Expect guarding peace in Christ.

Pastoral exhortation:

“Anxiety and peace are opposites.” The believer discerns the switch—moving from fleshly anxiety to divine peace by shifting reliance from self to God.

Daily focus: One day at a time (principle echoes Matthew 6:34, though not cited).

Final Exhortation

Enter study with confession and concentration under the Spirit.

Practice the faith-rest life daily in mundane routines and severe trials.

Recognize arrogance and emotion as primary internal antagonists to executing the plan of God.

Learn from Saul’s downfall and David’s faith to remain stabilized under promises, rationales, and conclusions, knowing the immutable love of God in Christ is your eternal anchor.

Scripture References in Order of Use

1. 1 John 1:9

2. John 1:1 (conceptual citation noted during discussion of the Word predating psychology)

3. Romans 5:1–5

4. Romans 8:28

5. Romans 8:29–30

6. Romans 8:31–39

7. Proverbs 29:11

8. Romans 12:2

9. Psalm 42:5

10. Philippians 4:6–8

11. 1 Samuel 15:1–35 (focus on 15:3, 9, 22–35)