25 Sept 2017 - Do You Let Your Emotions Get the Best of You?

A Practicing Christian ch 22 - Do You Let Your Emotions Get the Best of You?

"I knew I held on to some bitterness against someone, but there was no way I was going to admit I was wrong and ask for forgiveness. I thought the other person should be the one at my doorstep."

Questions

1. How does Philippians 4:8 relate to a Christian having healthy emotions?
1. Paul gives here a list of qualities to use as a checklist or standard of comparison for the things we dwell on. I think this can be particularly useful when addressing "stewing" emotions, like anger, bitterness, frustration, irritation, shame, guilt - all these negative, unpleasant emotions that we feel we can't actually express and so, end up in the emotion pot, being stewed, ruminated on, and dwelt on.
2. Explain what we are to do with bitterness in light of Ephesians 4:21.
1. "Assuming you heard about Him and were taught by Him, because the truth is in Jesus." I don't think this is the scripture intended. Verse 31, maybe? "All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice."
2. It's pretty straightforward, if this is the verse intended. We are to rid ourselves of bitterness.
3. What does the author of Hebrews mean by "root of bitterness" in Hebrews 12:15?
1. I would guess he means any source of bitterness, though the imagery of a root is very appropriate, making me think of a dandelion's tap root - it is extremely long and difficult to remove and, if it is not removed in its entirety, will result in a new dandelion growing back in its place.
   Bitterness is like that. The long root worms itself delicately into deeper corners of our hearts with small filament strands that are difficult to pull up without disturbing the soil, without bringing the contents of one's heart to light, sometimes painfully.

2 Timothy 2:14-26

"The Lord's slave must not quarrel..." - v. 24

But, God... Don't you see the foolishness of this people? The injustice? The idolatry?

"But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels. The Lord's slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth" - vv. 23-25

So, God, what you're saying is we need to leave the heart work to you? Just take our time teaching gently and leave the conviction all in your hands? That's hard to do sometimes...