How to say “No” to the emotions that compete for control.
God’s real concern is purity of heart, not just the appearance of it.
Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!” —Matthew 15:1-2
Jesus is most interested in what’s happening in your heart.
Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?” … 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: 8 “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’” —Matthew 15:3, 7-9
Our lives emanate from our hearts.
Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. —Proverbs 4:23 NASB
The things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart of that person.
What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.” … 16 “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. 17 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.” —Matthew 15:11, 16-20
What’s in your heart will eventually make its way into all your relationships.
We already have a Boss of us.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” —Matt 11:28-30
How do I get the rest and peace Jesus promises?
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. —John 14:27
Jesus says…
“Come to me.”
“Follow me.”
“Let me be the Boss of you.”
Only God can transform a human heart.
Discipleship Guide
Let’s Talk About It
No one likes being told what to do. And yet, many of us are unintentionally pushed around by several dangerous emotions. How do you say “No” to the emotions that compete for control? It starts with paying attention to what’s going on in your heart. Jesus is constantly bringing focus on what He considers truly important: the heart. What’s in your heart will eventually make its way into all your relationships because everything you do flows from your heart. It’s not enough to monitor your behavior; God wants to change your heart.
Matthew 15:1-20; Mark 7:22; John 14:27; Matthew 11:28-30; Proverbs 4:23
Discussion questions:
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Which part of the message impacted or challenged you?
- Read Matthew 15:1-6 & Proverbs 4:23. Have you ever said or done something and wondered, “Why did I do that?” Please explain. Why is Jesus more concerned with actual purity of heart and not just the appearance of it?
- Read Matthew 15:7-11, 16-20. Have you had an experience that highlights the connection between the mouth and the heart, as read in this scripture? Why does simply modifying your behavior or building a better filter not get to the core of the issue? How does what comes out of our mouth sometimes ‘defile’ and put us ‘at odds with God’?
- Which negative emotion continually tries to be the boss of you? What triggers the emotion? What might you do now when it tries to take control? Why is it so important that we learn to monitor our hearts?
- Read John 14:27 and Matthew 11:28-20. How is the condition of your heart connected to your fruitfulness as a Christ-follower? What areas of your heart would you like to see God change? How does coming to Jesus and following him bring rest and peace to your heart and cause you to become more fruitful in fulfilling God’s purposes?
Take a Step
- Identify what negative emotion is trying to be the boss of you. What can you do this week to avoid letting this negative emotion control you?
Here’s My Prayer
Father, thank You for defeating sin and death when You died on the cross to take away my sin. Thank you that through Your resurrection, because of who You are and what You’ve done, I can have victory over the emotions that compete for control in my heart. I thank You that You have the power to transform hearts, and I ask You to transform mine. These negative emotions are not the boss of me. Jesus, You are my boss. I come to You and give You my heart and ask You to change me and give me your peace. In Jesus’ name, amen.