Sanctification and Emotional Intelligence

[Barbara Moulton]

I was at a staff training seminar the other day, mandated by the hospital where I work.

Part of the session dealt with emotional intelligence which was defined as, “....the ability to monitor one's own and others' feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them and to use this information to guide one's thinking and actions.”

I'd heard about all this before of course, but this time...as we went through exercises and discussion and teaching, it seemed to me there was a lot of spirituality in what was being said. And that started me down this whole train of thought concerning holiness.

If we are surrendered to the Holy Spirit, then can we suggest that we will be more emotional intelligent?

[Eric Vail]

I was at a staff training seminar the other day, mandated by the hospital where I work.

Part of the session dealt with emotional intelligence which was defined as, “....the ability to monitor one's own and others' feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them and to use this information to guide one's thinking and actions.”

I'd heard about all this before of course, but this time...as we went through exercises and discussion and teaching, it seemed to me there was a lot of spirituality in what was being said. And that started me down this whole train of thought concerning holiness.

If we are surrendered to the Holy Spirit, then can we suggest that we will be more emotional intelligent?

Barb, thanks for this interesting thread. The word that I could use further definition of is "intelligent/intelligence." I know I've heard about different types of intelligences: social, spacial, physical, musical, etc. Some people are brilliant in one area and in others they may be able to develop skills with much practice, but they will never be a pro athlete or musician or a master architect.

If you could further explain what you are meaning by "intelligent/intelligence," that would help in giving a better theological answer.

[Thomas Oord]

Barbara and Eric,

Thanks for this thread. This is something I've thought about off and on before, and I'm glad you brought it up.

In my way of thinking, emotional intelligence is akin to wisdom. According to the biblical witness, wisdom is a virtue associated with the movement of the Spirit and sometimes pertains to discerning the spirits. The wisdom literature is, in my mind, powerfully revelatory of God's inspiring creatures.

In addition, I think that God is the source of truth, beauty and goodness. If truth and intelligence are related, we might say that God inspires intelligence -- emotional, abstract, or otherwise.

So...I see emotional intelligence and holiness as closely related.

For what it's worth...

Tom

[Eric Vail]

Barbara and Eric,

Thanks for this thread. This is something I've thought about off and on before, and I'm glad you brought it up.

In my way of thinking, emotional intelligence is akin to wisdom. According to the biblical witness, wisdom is a virtue associated with the movement of the Spirit and sometimes pertains to discerning the spirits. The wisdom literature is, in my mind, powerfully revelatory of God's inspiring creatures.

In addition, I think that God is the source of truth, beauty and goodness. If truth and intelligence are related, we might say that God inspires intelligence -- emotional, abstract, or otherwise.

So...I see emotional intelligence and holiness as closely related.

For what it's worth...

Tom

Thanks, Tom, for helping to move us along. I was afraid of us talking past each other in this thread because we weren't being clear on how we were using the terms. I was wanting to distinguish between intelligence understood in how many folds a person has in his/her brain (i.e., the firing of neurons), ignorance (unrealized capacity) vs. knowledge, and a divine gifting toward the healing and fulfillment of our emotional capacities--as well as guiding us beyond the limits of our own capacities: wisdom. Your comments are certainly helpful.

[Barbara Moulton]

Barb, thanks for this interesting thread. The word that I could use further definition of is "intelligent/intelligence." I know I've heard about different types of intelligences: social, spacial, physical, musical, etc. Some people are brilliant in one area and in others they may be able to develop skills with much practice, but they will never be a pro athlete or musician or a master architect. If you could further explain what you are meaning by "intelligent/intelligence," that would help in giving a better theological answer.

In the seminar yesterday, the presenter spoke of emotional intelligence as having four components: Self awareness, emotional managment, emotional connection and personal leadership.

To be self aware is to have an accurate understanding of who you are and what you are feeling.

To manage one's emotions is to have impulse control, authenticity and flexiblity.

Emotional connection is to have empathy and the ability to communicate with others and recognize their emotions.

Personal leadership is to have optimism and a personal drive.

To me these are all rooted in one's spirituality. As a Christian, it struck me yesterday that, while one can certainly explore and develop in all these areas without the Spirit's help, surrender to God's spirit will bring power to this journey.

Emotional intelligence doesn't negate emotions but rather learns how to manage one's emotion. Surrender to the Spirit can be the first thing we do in order to see this in our lives. I preached a message years ago entitled "The Power of the Pause". In it I talked about learning to pause, surrender and pray for serenity, wisdom and perspective. I've been practicing this for a long time now and I have seen an incredible difference in how I react to issues. The Serenity Prayer is more than just nice sounding words...it has become a huge part of my spiritual journey.

Even in chaplaincy, I have found that I can be deeply empathetic with patients and families in the moment, but then step back and move on with a sense of hope to the next room, the next patient, the next challenge.

These things tie in with emotional intelligence I believe. But it isn't me managing me emotions (nor God controlling my emotions) but working in tandem with the Spirit. A divine/humany synergy to help keep my emotional core centred.

[Roland Hearn]

Barbara,
thanks for your comments. I really like what you are saying. I think it is very valid that one of the things the Holy Spirit does for us is increases our sense of self awareness. The idea of death to self often can suggest a total lack of self awareness but the end result of a complete lack of self awareness is something very different from the humility suggested by the surrendered life. True death to self, if we use that term, is precisely what you are describing. It is the ability to be aware of what is going on in our lives and not to be driven by the various emotional and psychological desires that may be happening at any one time. One of the disappointments in life for me as I have gotten older is to recognise how often people in the church claim to be sanctified but are driven by their need to control situations which is flowing from a much deeper unmet need. Self awareness in that situation could make a lot of difference.

I really think you are on to something here.

[Barbara Moulton]

Barbara,
thanks for your comments. I really like what you are saying. I think it is very valid that one of the things the Holy Spirit does for us is increases our sense of self awareness. The idea of death to self often can suggest a total lack of self awareness but the end result of a complete lack of self awareness is something very different from the humility suggested by the surrendered life. True death to self, if we use that term, is precisely what you are describing. It is the ability to be aware of what is going on in our lives and not to be driven by the various emotional and psychological desires that may be happening at any one time. One of the disappointments in life for me as I have gotten older is to recognise how often people in the church claim to be sanctified but are driven by their need to control situations which is flowing from a much deeper unmet need. Self awareness in that situation could make a lot of difference.

I really think you are on to something here.

Perhaps this is one reason why I have never liked the chorus, "So forget about yourself and concentrate on Him." It has never set right with me. Sanctification is not losing who I am but becoming more and more the real self that God wants me to be.

If I just forget about myself then what is it that I am bringing to worship?

[Roland Hearn]

Sanctification is not losing who I am but becoming more and more the real self that God wants me to be.

Thanks is not enough - that is truly the goal of the Christian life and the purpose of sanctification.