Title: What Believers Should Leave Behind When They Become Christ Followers
Text:
Ephesians 4:31 (NLT)
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
Observation:
One of the big things that every believer should guard against bringing into his or her new life in Christ is bitterness. It is at the top of the list that leads to the other sins of rage, anger, harsh words, slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
Where does bitterness originate?
Acts 8:21-23 (ESV)
21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.
22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.
23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity."
Paul is warning the believers of the necessity to guard our hearts; it's up to us to get rid of bitterness. How can you tell if you have a root of bitterness that is festering in your heart? What comes out of your mouth will reveal what is in your heart. Examine and get control of your mouth.
James 3:5-6 (ESV)
5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.
The stakes are too high to allow bitterness to remain in your heart. Take the first step, and get rid of bitterness; get control of your tongue, and the other sins that Paul mentions will follow when you get rid of the elephant in your life. The key is to stay right with God.
Prayer:
Father, hallowed be Your name. I am so thankful that by the amazing grace of God those who have received Christ have all that we need to get rid of bitterness, and every sin that besets us.
Father, help us to leave the sins that Christ has died for on the cross; on the cross because they have no place in the life of Your children. When Christ died on the cross our sinful nature died. O, help us to live in victory. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:
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