"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."
I have a confession. I have let myself develop a horrible new habit.
Outbursts of Wrath.
Example: While driving someone does something dumb AND I LET THEM KNOW ABOUT IT. To myself of course. I usually call them a colorful name with an equally colorful phrase. Nothing R rated but nothing I would want anyone else to hear. I justify with a "I only do this when I'm by myself".
Slippery slope, my friends. And a cruddy excuse.
In Galatians, Paul puts outbursts on level with adultery and murder. Its all the same to God! No sin is greater than the other, there aren't different levels of sin and certainly no "minor" or "small" sins. My childish outbursts (because that's what they are! childish and immature!) are SEPARATING me from God.
Jesus also lets us know that sin begins in the heart: Matthew 5:28 "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
These outbursts come from the lack of self control, patience and love in my heart.
Ugh.
That makes me feel like poo. But it should! Sin should make you feel awful. It should make you want to change and become closer to God. (Thats called repentance)
Matthew 9:13 "...For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
Now, time for me to increase my self control, develop my patience and grow my love. My go to verse for when I struggle is Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."
There is no quick fix for sin problems, for bettering yourself from the heart out. It takes perseverance, denying your wants and a lot of time. Definitely the opposite of American culture.
Sigh.
But I will change! You will never hear another colorful expression from this girl. :)
If you are struggling with something similar, share the good and bad in the facebook comment section. We can all help each other with kicking our horrible habits!
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