The Religious Affections

1. True Religion Resides Primarily in Holy Affections

True religion, in great part, consists in holy affections.

Heartfelt engagement. True religion isn't just about intellectual assent or outward actions; it's about a deep, heartfelt engagement with God. It involves the vigorous and lively exercise of the soul's inclinations and will, not just weak, dull wishes. God desires earnestness and fervor in our service to Him.

Power of godliness. The power of godliness is seen first in the inward exercises of the heart, where true religion has its principal and original seat. This inward fervor is the fruit of a real circumcision of the heart, or true regeneration, and has the promises of life.

Affections as the spring. The affections are the springs that set men going in all the affairs of life, and engage them in all their pursuits. In religious matters, the spring of their actions is very much religious affection. He that has doctrinal knowledge and speculation only, without affection, never is engaged in the business of religion.

2. Affections are Vigorous Inclinations of the Soul

The affections are no other than the more vigorous and sensible exercises of the inclination and will of the soul.

Understanding and inclination. The mind has two faculties: understanding (perception and judgment) and inclination (liking or disliking). Affections are the vigorous, sensible exercises of this second faculty. They are not separate from the will but are the will in lively action.

Degrees of exercise. Inclination varies in degree. Affections are those exercises of inclination that are strong enough to alter bodily sensations. This connection between mind and body explains why the mind is often called the heart.

Language limitations. Language is imperfect, and words like "affection" can be used loosely. However, affections are essentially the will in motion, whether it's love (strong liking), hatred (strong disliking), desire (inclination toward something absent), or joy (pleasedness with something present).

3. Scripture Emphasizes the Importance of Affections

The holy Scriptures do everywhere place religion very much in the affection; such as fear, hope, love, hatred, desire, joy, sorrow, gratitude, compassion, and zeal.

Godly fear. The Bible often speaks of godly fear as a key characteristic of religious people. They tremble at God's word, fear before Him, and are afraid of His judgments. "Fearers of God" is a common term for saints.

Hope in God. Hope in God and His promises is also a significant part of true religion. It's one of the three great things of which religion consists (1 Cor. 13:13) and is frequently mentioned as a characteristic of the saints.

Love and hatred. Love, especially love for God, Jesus, fellow believers, and mankind, is central to true religion. The opposite, hatred of sin, is also important. Saints are called to hate evil and give evidence of their sincerity through this hatred.

4. High Affections Alone Do Not Guarantee Grace

It is no sign one way or the other, that religious affections are very great, or raised very high.

High affections are not inherently bad. It's a mistake to condemn all high religious affections as delusions. If true religion consists in affections, then a great deal of true religion will involve great affections. The Bible often calls for high degrees of love, joy, and gratitude.

High affections are not inherently good. The Bible also shows that high affections can be temporary and insincere. The Israelites sang God's praises at the Red Sea but soon forgot His works. The multitude cried "Hosanna" but quickly turned to "Crucify."

Discernment is key. The issue isn't the intensity of affection but its nature and source. High affections can be genuine or counterfeit, so discernment is essential.

5. Bodily Effects Are Not Definitive Signs of Spiritual Affections

It is no sign that affections have the nature of true religion, or that they have not, that they have great effects on the body.

Body-mind connection. All affections, whether worldly or spiritual, have some effect on the body. Strong affections naturally have greater effects. Therefore, bodily effects alone can't distinguish between true and false religion.

Secular affections. Great bodily effects can arise from strong affections about temporal things, where religion is not involved. Therefore, similar effects in religious contexts don't automatically indicate spiritual affections.

Spiritual power. Spiritual affections have great power, and the human body is weak. It's reasonable to expect that intense spiritual joy or sorrow might sometimes overwhelm the body. The Bible uses bodily effects to express the strength of spiritual affections.

6. Religious Talkativeness Is an Ambiguous Indicator

It is no sign that affections are truly gracious affections, or that they are not, that they cause those who have them to be fluent, fervent, and abundant, in talking of the things of religion.

Talkativeness can stem from various sources. Some condemn talkativeness as hypocrisy, while others see it as a sign of grace. However, abundant religious talk may come from holy affections or from unholy ones.

False religion seeks attention. False affections are often more forward in declaring themselves than true ones. This is because false religion tends to seek show and observation, as with the Pharisees.

Overabundance is suspect. A person who is overly full of talk about their own experiences may be more interested in self-promotion than genuine faith. A tree with too many leaves seldom bears much fruit.

7. External Origin of Affections Doesn't Determine Their Nature

It is no sign that affections are gracious, or that they are otherwise, that persons did not make them themselves, or excite them of their own contrivance and by their own strength.

Supernatural power. Some reject affections that seem to come from an external, supernatural power. However, if grace requires divine power, it's reasonable to expect that its effects would be noticeable.

Other spirits exist. It's also a mistake to assume that any affection not self-generated must be from the Holy Spirit. Other spirits, including evil ones, can influence the mind. "Test the spirits" (1 John 4:1).

Common influences. Even affections from the Spirit of God may not be saving. Some may be "enlightened" and "taste of the heavenly gift" without experiencing true salvation (Heb. 6:4-6).

8. Scripture-Based Affections Can Still Be Misleading

It is no sign that religious affections are truly holy and spiritual, or that they are not, that they come with texts of Scripture, remarkably brought to the mind.

Scripture's purity doesn't guarantee right use. Some assume that affections arising with Scripture must be right because Scripture is the word of God. However, affections can arise from misapplication or abuse of Scripture.

Satan's ability. The devil can bring texts to mind and misapply them to deceive. He tempted Christ with Scripture, so he can certainly tempt others.

Human corruption. People's own folly and corruptions can also misuse Scripture. The sin in men acts like its father, the devil, and uses the same means to deceive.

9. Love's Presence Doesn't Guarantee Gracious Affections

It is no evidence that religious affections are saving, or that they are otherwise, that there is an appearance of love in them.

Love is paramount. Christian love is excellent, heavenly, and divine. It's the chief of graces and the essence of true religion. However, there are counterfeits of love.

Counterfeit love exists. The Bible shows that people can have a kind of religious love without saving grace. Many who followed Jesus seemed to have strong love, but it didn't last.

Discernment is crucial. The existence of counterfeit love means that the mere appearance of love is not enough. Discernment is needed to distinguish true Christian love from its imitations.

10. Multiple Affections Don't Ensure Graciousness

Persons having religious affections of many kinds, accompanying one another, is not sufficient to determine whether they have any gracious affections or no.

False religion can mimic true religion. While false religion is often incomplete, a great variety of false affections can resemble gracious ones.

Counterfeits exist for all affections. There are counterfeits of love, sorrow, fear, hope, desire, joy, gratitude, compassion, and zeal. A person can experience many of these at once without having true grace.

Love as the fountain. Just as true love gives rise to other Christian affections, counterfeit love can generate a host of false affections. The key is to examine the source and nature of the love itself.

11. Comfort Following Conviction Is Not a Sure Sign

Nothing can certainly be determined concerning the nature of the affections, by this, that comforts and joys seem to follow awakenings and convictions of conscience, in a certain order.

Order is not enough. Some value a specific sequence: awakenings, fears, legal humblings, then light and comfort. However, this order alone doesn't guarantee genuine affections.

God's pattern. It's reasonable to expect God to give some sense of the evil He delivers from before granting deliverance. Scripture shows God often leads people into a "wilderness" before speaking comfortably.

Counterfeit order. The devil can counterfeit preparatory operations, including conviction and humiliation. If Satan can imitate the things themselves, he can easily arrange them in a certain order.

12. Practice Is the Ultimate Test of Genuine Affection

Gracious and holy affections have their exercise and fruit in Christian practice.--I mean, they have that influence and power upon him who is the subject of them, that they cause that a practice, which is universally conformed to, and directed by Christian rules, should be the practice and business of his life.

Universal obedience. True Christians strive for universal obedience to God's commands, both in avoiding sin and performing positive duties. They part with their dearest sins and embrace even difficult duties.

Earnestness and diligence. True Christians make the service of God their main business, devoting their hearts and strength to it. They engage in the Christian life with the earnestness of a runner, wrestler, or soldier.

Perseverance through trials. True Christians persevere in obedience and service through all trials to the end of life. They don't grow weary of religion or forsake it due to difficulties.

Last updated: March 2, 2025