Words of Healing: Surrendering Anger to God
Summary
In my sermon, I emphasized the importance of self-evaluation and healing. I urged everyone, regardless of their role in life, to take a moment to assess their actions and words, especially those spoken in anger. I stressed that it's not an accident that we find ourselves in certain situations; rather, it's an opportunity for God to do a healing and redemptive work in our lives. I encouraged everyone to use their words for healing, to apologize where necessary, and to be specific in their apologies. I also highlighted the importance of surrendering our anger to God, allowing His word to be louder than our own voices. I reminded everyone that we are the most influential people in our lives, and that we need to be careful about the words we speak to ourselves.
Key takeaways:
- God uses our situations to do a healing and redemptive work in our lives. [ 01:16:43]
- We need to use our words for healing and be specific in our apologies. [ 01:17:16]
- We should surrender our anger to God and let His word be louder than our own voices. [ 01:08:25]
- We are the most influential people in our lives and need to be careful about the words we speak to ourselves. [ 01:09:08]
- Anger is like smoke to a fire, a warning signal that something isn't right. [ 53:07]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. James 1:21 #!!01:04:34!!#
2. James 1:21 #!!01:05:51!!#
3. James 1:21 #!!01:07:46!!#
Observation Questions:
1. What does James 1:21 mean when it says to "humbly accept the word that's planted in you"?
2. How does the passage relate to the concept of anger and its effects on our lives?
3. What does the passage suggest about the role of faith in dealing with anger?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "feeding the spirit" relate to the idea of humbly accepting the word that's planted in us?
2. What does it mean to trust God in the context of dealing with anger and conflict?
3. How does the passage suggest we can "get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent"?
Application Questions:
1. Can you identify a recent situation where you acted out of anger? How could you have applied the teachings from James 1:21 in that situation?
2. What are some practical ways you can "feed the spirit" daily to help manage anger and conflict?
3. How can you practice humbly accepting the word that's planted in you in your daily life?
4. Can you think of a situation where you struggled to trust God? How could the teachings from James 1:21 have changed your approach?
5. What are some specific steps you can take this week to "get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent"?
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God in Every Situation
In our daily lives, we often face situations that test our faith. These moments challenge us to trust God, to believe that He will cover the situation with His grace and confront it with His justice if needed. We must remember that God doesn't need us to fix everything, but to trust Him ([01:05:51]).
Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where your faith was tested. How did you respond? Did you trust God or try to fix it yourself?
Day 2: Feeding the Spirit
The spiritual battle within us is a daily struggle. We must feed the Holy Spirit within us consistently, not just on Sundays. If we don't, we risk falling into sin and acting out of our flesh ([01:07:46]).
Galatians 5:16-17 - "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh."
Reflection: How are you feeding the Holy Spirit within you daily? What steps can you take to ensure you're consistently nurturing your spiritual growth?
Day 3: Experiencing God's Love
Sometimes, our anger and frustration stem from not realizing how loved we truly are by God. Understanding and experiencing God's love can bring healing and transformation to our lives ([01:19:28]).
Zephaniah 3:17 - "The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing."
Reflection: How have you experienced God's love recently? How can this understanding transform your reactions and emotions?
Day 4: Living with True Faith
True faith is not just about attending church or reading the Bible. It's about living out our faith in real life, even when life gets tough. This requires us to trust God and rely on His word ([37:52]).
James 1:22 - "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
Reflection: How are you living out your faith in your daily life? What challenges are you facing and how can you apply your faith to overcome them?
Day 5: Overcoming Temptation
Temptation is a part of life, but we must remember that pursuing our evil desires leads to death and destruction. Instead, we should focus on the life and goodness that Jesus offers ([39:40]).
1 Corinthians 10:13 - "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."
Reflection: What temptations are you currently facing? How can you rely on God's faithfulness to overcome them?
Quotes
1. "How we treat people matters and is a reflection of the faith that we proclaim to have. Are you quick to listen and slow to speak or are you maybe quick to defend and slow to understand? Because man, we love to excuse ourselves for our actions or our words in anger and quickly just like Adam and Eve blame somebody else." - 51:26
2. "We pray that you are challenged and encouraged to think about your own life and how you may or may not be living out Jesus command to follow him. We exist to see people exchange their old life for New Life In Christ and live out their purpose." - 01:21:29
3. "The fundamental question in every area is do you trust God? Do you trust he will cover the situation with his grace and if needed he'll confront it with his Justice? He doesn't need you to fix it. Do you trust him?" - 01:05:22
4. "God not only provided an example but he also provided a way out and he extends to you and to me that long-nosed Mercy and then he says if you receive it then let it flow out of you and how you respond to those around you." - 01:13:57
5. "The very tool that causes so much destruction through anger is our mouth. It's the words that we use that we wish we could take back but we can't. But the very tool that can cause so much destruction and pain through being an Avenue of anger is the very same tool that God can use to begin to produce healing through our words." - 01:13:57
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