Apicontent

Meditate on these verses related to pride, and ask God to show you anything that you need to confess and repent of:

On Pride

Stop acting so proud and haughty! Don’t speak with such arrogance! For the LORD is a God who knows what you have done; he will judge your actions. (1 Samuel 2:3, NLT2)

For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. (1 John 2:16, NLT2)

You have been deceived by your own pride. (Obadiah 1:3 NLT2)

Those who walk in pride he [God] is able to humble. (Daniel 4:37, NIV)

Pride ends in humiliation. (Proverbs 29:23, NLT2)

Pride goes before destruction. (Proverbs 16:18, NIV)

A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him. (Proverbs 14:3, NLT2)

Pride leads to conflict. (Proverbs 13:10, NLT2)

When pride comes, then comes dishonor. (Proverbs 11:2, NASB95)

For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. (Psalm 59:12, NIV)

In his pride the wicked does not seek him [God]; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. (Psalm 10:4, NIV)

I [God] will break your proud spirit. (Leviticus 26:19, NLT2)

To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I [God] hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. (Proverbs 8:13, NIV)

On Conceit

Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! (Romans 12:16, NLT2)

Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. (Galatians 5:26, NLT2)

Do not deceive yourselves. If anyone of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. (1 Corinthians 3:18-19, NIV)

Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. (Proverbs 8:37, NLT2)

What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever. (Isaiah 5:21, NLT2)

On Self-righteousness

He [Jesus] said to them, “You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God.” (Luke 16:15, NLT2)

For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. (Romans 10:3, NLT2)

As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous – not even one.” (Romans 3:10, NLT2)

No one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. (Romans 3:20, NLT2)

All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. (Proverbs 21:2, NIV)

People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. (Proverbs 28:13, NLT2)

Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14, NLT2)

On Boasting

Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring. (Proverbs 27:1, NLT2)

This is what the LORD says: ‘Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD.’” (Jeremiah 9:23-24, NLT2)

If you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. (James 3:14, NLT2)

The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. (James 3:5, NIV)

What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift? (1 Corinthians 4:7, NLT2)

For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire. (Psalm 10:3, NKJV)

Let him who boasts boast in the Lord. (2 Corinthians 10:17, NIV)

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. (Ephesians 2:8-9, NLT2)

When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them. (2 Corinthians 10:18, NLT2)

Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. (Romans 12:3, NLT2)

On Selfish Ambition

Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others. (1 Corinthians 10:24, NLT2)

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. (James 3:16, NIV)

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interest of others. (Philippians 2:3-4, NLT2)

We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive … we must not just please ourselves. (Romans 15:1, NLT2)

On Showing Off

Don’t be selfish, don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3, NLT2)

Those who exalt themselves will be humbled. (Luke 14:11, NLT2)

On Vanity

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised. (Proverbs 31:30, NLT2)

Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity; for vanity shall be his recompense. (Job 15:31, KJV)

Do not let your adornment be merely outward – arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel – rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. (1 Peter 3:3-4, NKJV)

On Impatience

Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus. (Romans 15:5, NKJV)

We pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need.  May you be filled with joy. (Colossians 1:11, NLT2)

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. (Colossians 3:12, NLT2)

On Humility

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:12, NIV)

True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor, and long life. (Proverbs 22:4, NLT2)

Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. (Proverbs 29:23, NLT2)

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. (1Peter 5:6, NLT2)

He [Jesus] sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” (Mark 9:35, NLT2)

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3, NIV)

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. (Romans 12:3, NIV)

Do you know someone who circles back again and again to the same place of fear or anxiety, whether it relates to their health, their family, their finances, or whatever else may be troubling them? Some fear may be natural and acceptable. But living in fear because you refuse to move on is another matter:  it is sin. A person can have a sinful fear habit just as surely as an immorality habit or a drunkenness habit.

When we are not trusting in God’s care for us, we naturally react to our circumstances by trying to figure out how we can meet our own needs. It is a kind of homegrown providence, and it will never do. We know inside that we will never be capable of anticipating all the situations we may face. If we attempt to cut our way out of all the problems that may entangle us, we get stuck in a round of anxiety and dread. When circumstances might naturally inspire worry, we need to renew our trust in God and move on in the confidence of His care.

If you have a fear habit, letting go of your fear and trusting God completely might seem like an impossibility. So let us assure you with Scripture that it is possible to substitute faith for the anxiety and the worry you are presently feeling.

Life is a day-by-day affair. We do not know all that will happen in the future—but we do not need to. God will be with us in the future just as surely as He is with us in the present. Our part is to develop our trust in Him, leaving fear and anxiety behind in the process.

Do you want more faith that the Lord is near to you for help? If so, you are not alone in that desire. A father who sought Jesus’ healing power for his son said to Jesus, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). The disciples likewise appealed to Jesus, “Show us how to increase our faith” (Luke 17:5).

The apostle John wrote, “We are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him. And since we know He hears us when we make our requests, we also know that He will give us what we ask for” (1 John 5:14–15). Surely having faith is in line with God’s will. So if we ask Him for it, He will give it. We’ve got His Word on that. With the Spirit’s supernatural enabling, you can be a person of greater faith and you can shed your fear habit for good. Let the healing in this area of your life begin now.

[The above article is an extract from Chapter 10 of Soul Prescription by Bill Bright and Henry Brandt.]

Are you struggling with fear, worry, or a related habit? We have outlined a five-step process to help you change and heal in this area of your life. Take all the time you need with each of the steps outlined in this article.

Step 1:  Adopt a Correct View of God

If you are worried, fearful, or despairing, chances are that you are failing to see just how capable and willing God is to keep all His promises to you. Consider these truths:

God is faithful; He will always be there for you.

The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. (Lamentations 3:22–23)

God is all-powerful, and He uses that power for your good.

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. (Isaiah 40:29)

Make sure your ideas about God our protector match what He says about Himself in the Bible. Why worry about anything when the Creator of the universe is watching over you?

Step 2:  Revise Your False Beliefs

How do ideas about people or life influence your worry-related habit? Your ideas may have gotten off track in a number of different ways, but think about these possibilities:

Do you believe that you must pull yourself up by your own bootstraps?

It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. (2 Corinthians 3:5)

Do you think of yourself as a born loser in the game of life?

I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)

Do you believe that your circumstances are beyond God’s power to help?

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. (Philippians 4:6)

Scan the Bible for its messages about how unnecessary worry really is. Make a conscious decision to identify and abandon any concepts about yourself, others, or life in general that contribute to your worry. Believe God, and trust in His power to meet your every need.

Step 3:  Repent of Your Sin

What type of worry-related habit do you have? Is it fear? Is it anxiety? Are you discouraged or nervous or impatient? Make sure you are clear about your specific problem.

If you are prepared to leave your sin behind, pray a prayer of confession and commitment. You may use the prayer below, or you may pray in your own words.

God, I have a problem in the area of __________, and I know it is sin. I know also that my failure to trust You has grieved You. I am sorry for that. Please forgive me for my sin. Cleanse me of it completely now—wash it away as if it had never existed. Give me now the ability to live my life in Your strength and not in mine. Lord, I believe; help me in my unbelief. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

If you have harmed others with your sin, apologize to them. Seek reconciliation and offer restitution where appropriate.

Step 4:  Defend against Spiritual Attacks

The last place the enemies of your soul want to see you is at rest in the Lord’s grace. You have put your trust in God; now you must keep it there.

• Watch out for the false values that the world system entices you to adopt. The world will say you have to take care of yourself, and this will naturally lead to worry. In God’s value system, trust in Him takes the place of self-effort.
• Watch out for the way your flesh (that is, your sinful nature) attempts to have you return to that paradoxical feeling of control that comes from worrying about the unknown. When the feeling comes upon you, tell the flesh, “You’re already dead! I don’t have to do what you want.” Rely on the Spirit’s help to remain strong in your faith.
• Watch out for Satan’s schemes to persuade you to worry about your circumstances again. You can resist him with the “shield of faith” that God gives as a part of our spiritual armor (see Ephesians 6:10–18).

Do not expect the temptation to be anxious, fearful, or discouraged to disappear any time soon. Remember that God is bigger than the world, the flesh, and the Devil. With Him on your side, you are a winner!

Step 5:  Flee Temptation

In practical terms, certain situations can “give you an excuse” to worry. So take active steps to prevent returning to your bad habits of the past.

Focus on your relationship with God.

In your personal devotional time, focus on God as your provider and sanctuary. Use the power of praise and thankfulness to bolster your faith in Him.

Latch on to God’s promises.

Many passages in Scripture speak of God’s care for us. Search out ones that give you the most comfort and confidence, then commit them to memory. Here is one to memorize:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Establish safeguards.

Take practical steps to cut off common sources of temptation. These should be strategies tailor-made for you, but here are some examples to get you started thinking:

• If you begin to feel discouraged, rehearse in your mind the victories that God has given you in the past.
• If you are feeling fearful about tasks you need to accomplish, break it down into small steps and take them one at a time.
• If you are prone to nervousness, learn to meditate on God.
• Ask a trusted Christian friend to hold you accountable to not worry or fear so much.

Expect victory.

God has promised to always take care of you, and He will. Believe that He will enable you to beat the worry habit and build a stronger faith.

“It’s agonizing. Any gathering of people frightens me. In a traffic jam, I feel like jumping out of the car and running away. I force myself to go to church and sit there with a feeling of suspense. Nothing ever happens. Even a few customers lined up to buy something in my place of business frighten me. I feel trapped.”

The gentleman speaking was a college graduate and successful in business. He went on, “It started when we moved to an apartment. The people below us and beside us were noisy. We could hear their radios. They dropped things. Often another car was in my parking space. Finally, I insisted on moving to my own home. My wife wasn’t bothered at all by these things. She resisted the move, so now there is a wall building between us.”

He continued, “I used to enjoy people. Now I even feel anxious about going shopping.”

It is a helpless feeling for a successful businessman to be tormented by vague fears that seemingly have no origin. Jack turned to the Bible to see if there was some help for him. He found a verse that threw some light on the problem: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).

Jack’s problem was not vague, after all. His reactions to his neighbors, to his wife, to the man in person who took his parking space were hostile. He was an irritable man. Even though he was well-educated and successful, his heart was not filled with love, and as a result, he did not want to be around other people. In his effort to ignore this truth, he became anxious and convinced himself that his anxiety was caused by being in crowds. Then he became fearful of being in the presence of any people. The more he thought about this, the more fearful he became.

Jack had always thought of himself as a friendly, congenial person, but as he continued to study God’s Word, he realized that he was, indeed, an irritable person. Repentantly, he asked the Lord to forgive him and to change his heart. He began to realize that there was nothing to fear in the midst of people. The grace of God and His love took away the fear of saying or doing something that would embarrass him because of his irritations. Jack allowed himself to face his own sin in order to experience God’s healing.

[Dr. Henry Brandt shares insights from various people he counseled. The names and certain details in these true case histories have been changed to protect each person’s identity and privacy.]

Meditate on these verses related to fear, and ask God to show you anything that you need to confess and repent of:

Fear

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10, NKJV)

For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, “Fear not, I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13, NKJV)

You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the LORD is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap. (Proverbs 3:24-26, NLT2)

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7, KJV)

So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15, NLT2)

Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” So we can say with confidence, “The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6, NLT2)

The LORD is my light and my salvation– so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. (Psalm 27:1, NLT2)

I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4, KJV)

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! (Psalm 46:1-3, NLT2)

Listen to the LORD who created you…the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:1-2, NLT2)

Whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. (Proverbs 1:33, NIV)

The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear. (Hebrews 13:6, KJV)

Disbelief

Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. (Matthew 8:23-26, NIV)

And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were frightened, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind stopped. (Matthew 14:25-32, NASB95)

When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.” “O unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment. (Matthew 17:14-18, NIV)

Worry

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7, NLT2)

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28, NLT2)

These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. (Matthew 6:32-34, NLT2)

And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? So don’t worry about these things, saying, “What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?” These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. (Matthew 6:30-34, NLT2)

Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. (John 14:1, NASB95)

I am leaving you with a gift––peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. (John 14:27, NLT2)

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. (Matthew 6:34, NLT2)

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? (Luke 12:25, NIV)

Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say. (Luke 12:11-12, NKJV)

Anxiety

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. (1 Peter 5:7, NLT2)

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7, NLT2)

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD. (Psalm 31:24, NIV)

Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! (Psalm 27:14, NKJV)

Faith

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1, NIV)

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. (James 1:5-6, NLT2)

Just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7, NLT2)

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9, NASB95)

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. (1 Corinthians 16:13, NLT2)

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20, NIV)

Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.” (Mark 11:22-24, NLT2)

We live by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7, NIV)

Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17, NIV)

I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. (Matthew 17:20, NASB95)

These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold––though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. (1 Peter 1:7, NLT2)

For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. (1 John 5:4, NLT2)

That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life––whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? (Matthew 6:25-26, NLT2)

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! (Isaiah 26:3, NLT2)

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. (Psalm 55:22, NIV)

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. (1 Peter 5:8-9, NLT2)

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7, NLT2)

The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.” The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and thrown into the sea,’ and it would obey you!” (Luke 17:5-6, NLT2)

Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (Ephesians 6:16, NIV)

Anger is a strong feeling of dislike, displeasure, or antagonism. It is connected to a host of other negative feelings and behaviors, including rage, hatred, bitterness, vengefulness, and violence.

What do you do if you are filled with rage or hatred or bitterness? What do you do if you are vengeful or violent? By God’s grace, you get rid of the sin of anger and replace it with the virtue of forgiveness.

Anger is an emotion that is set off when someone else has done something we do not like. We may be quite right in disliking what the other person has said or done. Sometimes, in fact, the offense is monstrous. But because the offense has a personal origin, the only way to free ourselves of the destructive emotion we feel and move ahead in life is to forgive the person who did wrong.

Of course, when we have been hurt, something inside us screams “No!” to the idea of forgiveness. It seems unjust. And do you know what? It is. When we forgive, we pay a price for a wrong that someone else has done. Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sins on the cross. It was not just or fair, but He willingly did it so that mercy would triumph over justice. We follow in His footsteps when we forgive one who has committed an offense against us.

Another reason we might resist forgiving is that we conceive of unforgiveness as a type of revenge. We believe we are hurting the one who has hurt us if we withhold our forgiveness. That is foolish thinking. We are only hurting ourselves by holding on to a grudge.

Forgiveness does not necessarily mean suddenly having a warm feeling toward the one who has hurt us. We choose to forgive and we pray that the loving feelings will follow. This is loving by faith.

And what about reconciliation? A restored relationship should be our goal whenever it is a possibility. When the one who has offended us is a fellow Christian, we can follow the guidelines of Matthew 18 to initiate a process of confrontation that starts privately and adds on pressure and publicity if needed. When the offender is a non-Christian, we can still seek restoration of our relationship by humbly approaching the other and discussing what happened.

But reconciliation requires two. The other person may be unwilling to admit the wrong he or she has done and seek to restore the relationship. Or maybe you are unable to reconcile with the other person. You may not know how to get in touch with the offender anymore, or perhaps that person has died. And if the other person still presents a threat to you, as in the case of an abuser, it might not even be wise to reestablish contact. In such cases, remember that you can still forgive the person. Unlike reconciliation, forgiveness requires only one.

Hard as it is, forgiveness is a blessing to us because it frees us from anger and all the ill effects that anger brings upon us.

[The above article is an extract from Chapter 11 of Soul Prescription by Bill Bright and Henry Brandt.]

Are you struggling with anger or an anger-related behavior? We have outlined a five-step process to help you change and heal in this area of your life. Take all the time you need with each of the steps below.

Step 1: Adopt a Correct View of God

Almost certainly, a distorted perception of God’s nature lies at the core of your problem with anger. We do not know exactly what that is for you. But quite possibly you are overemphasizing the wrath of God while underemphasizing His faithful love. Consider these key truths about God’s nature.

God offers forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternity instead of condemnation.

The LORD passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.” (Exodus 34:6)

God is merciful and expects us to extend His mercy to others.

There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when He judges you. (James 2:13)

Search the Scriptures for everything you can find about God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness. Allow what you find out about Him to begin to change the way you think about God and about yourself as God’s child.

Step 2: Revise Your False Beliefs

You may be an angry person because you have developed some mistaken ideas about yourself and other people as well as how to get along in life. Do you believe that? Well, ask yourself these questions:

Do you believe you are justified in your anger?

Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs. (Proverbs 19:11)

Do you believe that your anger is uncontrollable?

Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry. (Ephesians 4:26)

Do you believe that anger is a useful tool in life?

People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness. (Proverbs 14:29)

Along with those suggested here, there are many more false beliefs that can keep you a slave to anger. Seek clues in Scripture for ways that your ideas have gone off track, contributing to your anger problem. Ask the Holy Spirit to use biblical truth to change your conscious and unconscious beliefs so that you are living in truth and not falsehood. He will do it!

Step 3: Repent of Your Sin

Are you ready to admit that you are angry and to give it up? In what particular ways (rage, violence, revenge, and so on) do you express your anger? Identify your anger and “own” it.

When you are ready, ask God to forgive you for your anger. You can pray the following prayer (or another like it in your own words). Insert the word for your particular anger problem in the blank spaces.

God, I am an angry person, especially in the area of __________. And I know that is sinful. I am sorry for how the flames of my anger have singed others, and especially I am sorry for how I have grieved You. Please forgive me for my anger now. Cleanse me completely from the sin of __________ so that it is gone from my life. And furthermore, give me the power never to return to my angry ways again. I want to be like Jesus, merciful and kind. In His name, I pray, amen.

If you have harmed others with your sin, apologize to them. Seek reconciliation and offer restitution where appropriate.

Step 4: Defend against Spiritual Attacks

The enemies of your soul—the world, the flesh, and the Devil—do not like it when you repent of your anger. They will stir up your anger again if you let them. Get ready to defend yourself against these enemies.

• In the world’s value system, anger is considered good. The world would tell us that anger confers power. But you can overcome this false system if you hold fast to God’s values, which tells us that those who control their anger have real spiritual power.
• Anger can feel good. Our flesh or sinful nature urges us to get that good feeling back by letting ourselves be filled with rage again. So when you feel that kind of desire rising within you, remind yourself that the flesh is dead and you do not have to satisfy its desires. Turn to the Spirit to help you want what God wants for you: a forgiving spirit.
• Satan will use your sense of personal rights and your selfishness to goad you into angry outbursts and attitudes. Put on the armor of God to resist the Devil’s schemes. Above all, put on the “shoes of peace” (Ephesians 6:15), which enable you to move around in harmony with all your Christian brothers and sisters.

Are you ready to be in control of your anger, instead of its being in control of you? The battle has begun and will not be over soon. So the time is now to stand strong in the strength of the Lord and ask the Holy Spirit to supernaturally equip you to defeat the enemies of your soul.

Dave was a department foreman at a manufacturing firm. One day his boss called him into the office and said, “Dave, as you know, things are a bit slow these days. I realize you have worked hard and run one of the best departments in the company, but my orders are to cut one supervisor, so I am letting you go.”

Dave was stunned. He was the only Christian among the foremen. The other supervisory personnel, including his boss, liked to go out drinking and had some wild parties together. As a result, their work sometimes suffered and Dave had to step in to rescue them. He had worked hard and now this was his reward.

Dave soon faced a financial slump. He had been making payments on a new home and a car but when his salary was suddenly cut off, he was in trouble. He lost both the house and the car and had to move in with his parents. While with them, he had nothing to do but sit in a comfortable chair and mull over his experience.

“So this is the reward for hard work and clean living,” he said to himself over and over. The more he thought, the more bitter he became. He found it hard to eat and harder to digest what little he did eat. He suffered from painful cramps. His physician told him that his condition stemmed from his emotions. But most of his friends reassured him that he had a right to have some emotional problems.

Twelve years later, time seemed to have healed the wound. Dave found another job and was quite successful in it. He was, in fact, the general manager of a manufacturing outfit with eight plants. One day while he was inspecting one of the plants, the personnel director asked him if he would like to meet the new chief engineer. Of course, he would, and did. Dave found himself face-to-face with the man who had fired him 12 years before. Here working for him was the person who had caused him so much grief, pain, and embarrassment.

“I sure made a terrible mistake back then,” the engineer said to Dave when they were alone. “Will you forgive me?”

“Oh, certainly. Forget it,” Dave replied.

Dave said he would forgive, but within himself, he nursed a gnawing bitterness toward this man. His stomach problem returned and he began reliving those confusing, painful days of long ago. He had thought this period of his life was long forgotten, but now he found himself fuming in his plush office, wanting only to get even.

There is a power that will enable you to face your circumstances without distress. It is the power of God, made available to you through the dying of the Lord Jesus. God’s power–and His alone–can make you want to forgive a person who has misused you.

But Dave did not want to forgive that engineer; he wanted to get even. He believed that he had a right to be bitter. He wanted to be free from his aches and pain, but if that meant relinquishing his long-standing grudge, he would rather be in pain.

The only solution was for Dave to quit fighting and turn to God for a spirit of love toward someone who did not deserve it. One day, Dave finally did turn to God for help with his bitterness and hatred. He paid attention to and took care of his own reactions and feelings instead of concerning himself with what the other man had done, and he found himself on the road to peace.

To see your sin is disturbing only if you fight what you discover. If, instead, you admit it and seek help from God, the result is not guilt, but an overwhelming sense of forgiveness, cleansing, renewal, and peace.

[Dr. Henry Brandt shares insights from various people he counseled. The names and certain details in these true case histories have been changed to protect each person’s identity and privacy.]

Seth was an atheist. He struggled with pride and thought he was “a good enough person” that he didn’t need to worry about anything else. But that all changed… Seth saw one of our advertisements and was drawn to an article sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. After spending some time mulling over what he read, Seth sent us this:

“This has proven to be the most powerful and convincing article I have ever read on the subject of religion. It is very well written and provides factual information on the existence of Christ while still allowing the reader to relate to recent topics.

I have been a non-believer for most of my life because of my own arrogance and the facts in this article have helped me to realize my sinful ways. I have come to the conclusion that I and my family will begin attending church services regularly and I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I finally understand the true sacrifice that He made for all of us and I am ashamed of the life I have lived not giving Him praise.

I never thought this would be the end result when I began reading this article because I thought that even though I was an atheist I was moral enough and a good enough person to not have to worry about anything else. Honestly I didn’t think anything was missing in my life because I had never stopped to think about what I had been ignoring so blatantly.

These words have made me see the truth and realize it is time for a change. Thank you!”

A new beginning for Seth

Seth, like so many others, needed to understand who Jesus really is before he could understand his own need for a Savior. Although he was an atheist, he was intrigued by a JesusOnline ad that asked, “Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?” This connected him to an article that God used to convince him of the truth of the resurrection. He was then led to “Is Jesus Relevant Today?” which helped him understand how Jesus’ death and resurrection were relevant to his own life, and what action he needed to take.

Seth made a decision that day that he and his family would embark on a new journey, experiencing what it means to follow Christ. He became committed to attending his local church to learn more. His heart became full of praise for what God had done in his life. And it all started with a simple 5¢ advertisement.

Help others like Seth find the truth about Christ

With your help, we can reach more people who are far from God like Seth. Every dollar you donate will draw 20 interested people to the truth about Jesus. There are no wasted costs! We are only charged when a person chooses to click on our ad to find out more. Every dollar counts, so will you help reach 200 people for just $10? Or maybe even more? Click below to make a donation today.