Ephesians 4:26-27, 30-31 - “In your anger do not sin“: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. … ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO RENT THE DEVIL A GUESTROOM?

Foothold (top’-os); opportunity, location, place, room.

WRONG WAYS WE HANDLE ANGER:

1) SPEWERS EXPRESS IT.

Proverbs 29:11 - A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.

Proverbs 14:17 - A quick-tempered man does foolish things.

2) STEWERS SUPPRESS IT.

Psalm 32:3 - When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.

WHERE DOES YOUR ANGER COME FROM?

Matthew 15:1-3, 6-11, 17-18 - 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!” ³ Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? …6… you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. ⁷ You hypocrites! … ⁸ “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. ⁹ They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’” ¹⁰ Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. ¹¹ What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’” … 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 the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’

1. So your HEART is responsible for your words, actions and deeds.

Matthew 15:19-20 - For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. ²⁰ These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’”

2. So if your heart ISN’T in good shape, it’s going to be almost impossible to maintain healthy relationships with anybody.

Proverbs 4:23 - Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

3. So what is IN your heart is going to come out of you, regardless of who is around you.

NEXT STEPS TO GET A HEALTHY HEART:

Step 1. FILL YOUR HEART WITH GOD’S WORD. (Bible readying plan)

Psalms 119:9-11 - How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. 10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. ¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Step 2. KEEP YOUR MIND FOCUSED ON PRAISEWORTHY THINGS.

Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.

Step 3. MAKE WORSHIP A PRIORITY.

Psalms 86:11-13 - Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. ¹² I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. ¹³ For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.

Ephesians 4:31-32 - Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.