UNCLOGGING YOUR HEART FROM ANGER
Spiritual Heart Check
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.” Proverbs 4:23
MAJOR HEART CLOGGERS
Anger: “YOU OWE ME”
“A fool gives full vent to anger, but a wise person quietly holds it back.” Proverbs 29:11
Anger is the result of not getting what we WANT!
Root Causes of Anger
1. UNACCEPTED
2. UNAPPRECIATED
3. UNSUPPORTED
4. DEVALUED
5. DISRESPECTED
“And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart.” Ezekiel 36:26
HOW TO UNCLOG THE HEART FROM ANGER
1. ADMIT my anger.
“Stop lying to each other; tell the truth… when we lie to each other we are hurting ourselves. If you are angry, don’t sin by nursing your grudge…” Ephesians 4:25-26 (TLB)
2. FORGIVE.
“[You must] make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive [the person] who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Colossians 3:13 (NLT)
“Even if he wrongs you seventy times seven a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, forgive him.”
Luke 17:4
WHAT IS GENUINE FORGIVENESS?
1. RELINQUISHING MY RIGHT TO GET EVEN.
“… Never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for He has said that He will repay those who deserve it…” Romans 12:19 (TLB)
“Be careful that none of you fails to respond to the grace which God gives, for if he does there can very easily spring up in him a bitter spirit which is not only bad in itself but can also poison the lives of many others.” Hebrews 12:15 (PHILLIPS)
2. RESPONDING TO EVIL WITH GOOD.
“… do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, [and] pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:27-28 (NIV)
3. REPEATING THE PROCESS AS LONG AS NECESSARY.
“[Peter asked], ‘”Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’ ‘No…’ Jesus replied, ‘… seventy times seven!’” Matthew 18:21-22 (NLT)
THE SECRET OF FORGIVENESS:
REMEMBER HOW MUCH YOU HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN.
“… Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Colossians 3:13 (NLT)
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
Is your HEART healthy?