As we look at at anger and worry, we realize that we need to evaluate our lives daily. Just as a doctor goes after the root cause and not just treat the symptoms, we must also look at the root causes that lead to bitterness and worry.
1. What you say and do always represents what is in your heart.
An inherent danger to our religious expression is to go through the motions. Is worship only reserved for Sunday mornings? Does worship continue throughout the week?
The symptoms of our life can be reflective of what condition our heart is in. What language do we use? What actions do you take in public and private? Am I where I need to be?
2. In our relationships.
Are you fighting with each other? We cannot grow when our relationships are in conflict. Are we letting issues divide us? How can we expect to live in a solid relationship with God when we cannot have solid relationships with each other.
Do I want to know how god is working in me? Do I choose other things in place of learning Gods word?
3. Your time with God.
How would you describe why you go to church on Sunday? Something you “have” to do? If we are not speaking about spending time with God as something we want to do, but as something we have to do, we are not in the right place.
God I want you to shape me in my words, my relationships, and my time with you. Amen.
6 And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,
“‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me; (ESV)
8 You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” (ESV)
20 And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. (ESV)
3:1 But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. (ESV)
2:1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. (ESV)