March 11 & 15, 2020
Bad
Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. —Psalm 141:3
Unmet
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. —James 4:1-2
Frustrating
If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. —Mark 3:25
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. —Romans 3:23
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. —Ephesians 4:25-31
COMMAND 1: 26,31 “Be angry and do not sin… Put away all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander and malice.”
The people of God act differently.
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
—Romans 12:2
COMMAND 2: 29 “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
The people of God give grace.
COMMAND 3: 32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
The people of God forgive.
FILL OUT THIS WEEK’S CONNECTION CARD HERE
- Today, I give my life to Jesus for the first time.
- I do not do well with conflict and need to let God change me.
- I decide to focus on the good in my relationships and not the bad.
- I need to extend forgiveness in my marriage or in a certain relationship.