THE WHOLE SOUL V “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality”

THE WHOLE SOUL V

“Emotionally Healthy Spirituality”

Psalm 23:1-6

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He

leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of

righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of

death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You

prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup

runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in

the house of the LORD Forever

1 Thessalonians 5:23

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul,

and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ

I. FREEDOM TO LOVE

1. God requires it

Matthew 22:37-39

  Jesus said to him, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all

your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38  This is the first and great commandment.

39  And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself”.

2. Love is the end goal and highest maturity

1 Peter 1:22

Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in

sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart

1 Timothy 1:5

Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good

conscience, and from sincere faith

3. Pain does not stop love, but it makes loving more difficult

II. THE LIMITATION OF THE NEW BIRTH

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away;

behold, all things have become new.

1. The cycle many believers encounter

STAGE 1: Life-Changing Awareness of God.

STAGE 2: Discipleship. This stage is characterized by learning about God and

what it means to be a follower of Christ.

STAGE 3: The Active Life. This is described as the “doing” stage. We get involved,

actively working for God, serving him and his people. We take responsibility by

bringing our unique talents and gifts to serve Christ and others.

STAGE 4: The Wall and Journey Inward. The Wall compels us into the Journey

Inward. In some cases, the Journey Inward eventually leads us to the Wall. Most

importantly, remember it is God who brings us to the Wall.

STAGE 5: Journey Outward. Having passed through the crisis of faith and the

intense inner journey necessary to go through the Wall, we begin once again to

move outward to “do” for God. We may do some of the same active external

things we did before (e.g., give leadership, serve, and initiate acts of mercy

toward others). The difference is that now we give out of a new, grounded

center of ourselves in God. We have rediscovered God’s profound, deep,

accepting love for us. A deep, inner stillness now begins to characterize our work

for God.

STAGE 6: Transformed into Love. God continually sends events, circumstances,

people, and even books into our lives to keep us moving forward on our

journeys. He is determined to complete the work he began in us, whether we

like it or not! His goal, is that we be made perfect in love, that Christ’s love

becomes our love both toward God and others. We realize love truly is the

beginning and the end. By this stage, the perfect love of God has driven out all

fear (1 John 4:18). And the whole of our spiritual lives is finally about surrender

and obedience to God’s perfect will.

III. DEFENSE MECHANISMS

Unconsciously, we carry many defensive maneuvers into adulthood to protect

ourselves from pain. And in adulthood, they block us from growing up spiritually and

emotionally. The following are a few common defenses:

1. Denial (or selective forgetting). We refuse to acknowledge some painful aspect

of reality externally or internally.

2. Minimizing. We admit something is wrong, but in such a way that it appears less

serious than it actually is.

3. Blaming Others. We deny responsibility for our behavior and project it “out

there” upon another.

4. Blaming yourself. We inwardly take on the fault: “It’s my fault…It’s because I’m

not worth it.”

5. Rationalizing. We offer excuses, justifications, alibis to provide an inaccurate

explanation of what is going on: “It’s in my genes”.

6. Intellectualizing. We give analysis, theories, and generalities to avoid personal

awareness and difficult feelings.

7. Distracting. We change the subject or engage in humor to avoid threatening

topics.

8. Becoming hostile. We get angry or irritable when reference is made to certain

subjects.

IV. JESUS THE HEALER

Psalm 147:3

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Psalm 34:18

The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite

spirit

Jabez

1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name

Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” 10  And Jabez called on the God of Israel

saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your

hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause

pain!” So God granted him what he requested

1. Map out your family tree - List negative patterns and assess how they have

affected you. Take those areas before God individually and consistently.

2. Look at areas of constant conflict in relationships – Ask God to show you the

root. Take that area before God.

3. Look at areas of repetitive negative behavioral patterns. Ask God to show you

the root. Take it before God.

4. Ask God to show you anything that hinders love. Bring those areas before God

constantly and consistently.

5. See a counsellor if necessary. Pray for the right one and don’t settle until you

find the right one.

THE WHOLE SOUL IV

THE WHOLE SOUL IV

“Emotional Health”

Psalm 23:1-6

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He

leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of

righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of

death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You

prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup

runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in

the house of the LORD Forever.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul,

and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Spirit - God Consciousness

Body - World Consciousness

Soul - (Emotions, mind and will) Bridge the Two

I. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SOUL TO JESUS

Luke 4:18

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel

to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the

captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

Proverbs 4:23

Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

Psalm 42:5-6

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in

God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance. O my God, my soul is

cast down within me; Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan, And

from the heights of Hermon, From the Hill Mizar.

Matthew 22:37

Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your

soul, and with all your mind.

3 John 1:2

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul

prospers.

II. FEELINGS, THOUGHTS, AND INWARD CONDITION MATTERS

Our feelings are important.

1. It is image of God stuff

Genesis 1:27

So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male

and female He created them.

2. We must learn to express and acknowledge them

When we deny our pain, losses, and feelings year after year, we become less and

less human. We transform slowly into empty shells with smiley faces painted on

them.

3. Eight Categories

a. Anger (fury, hostility, irritability, annoyance)

b. Sadness (grief, self-pity, despair, dejection, loneliness)

c. Fear (anxiety, edginess, nervousness, fright, terror, apprehension)

d. Enjoyment (joy, relief, contentment, delight, thrill, euphoria, ecstasy)

e. Love (acceptance, trust, devotion, adoration)

f. Surprise (shock, amazement, wonder)

g. Disgust (contempt, scorn, aversion, distaste, revulsion)

h. Shame (guilt, remorse, humiliation, embarrassment, chagrin)

III. EIGHT WAYS WE EXPRESS SPIRITUALITY WITH EMOTIONAL BROKENESS

People can substitute spiritual experience for internal wholeness.

1. Using spirituality to ignore our inner issues

2. Ignoring “negative emotions” like anger, sadness, and fear

The Bible is filled with commands to “not be anxious about anything” and “do

not fear” (Philippians 4:6 and Isaiah 41:10).

We are to bring our emotions under the control of the Holy Spirit. We cannot be

controlled by them but at the same time we are not to ignore them. We must

use them as a signpost to hear from God and become more whole.

3. Denying the impact that the past has on the present

We must balance.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed

away; behold, all things have become new.

Romans 12:1-2

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your

bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable

service. 2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the

renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable

and perfect will of God.

The New Birth does not mean that our past will not continue to influence us in

different ways.

Renewing of mind demands we deal with old ways and make them new.

4. Dividing life into “secular” and “sacred” compartments

Church behavior then regular life

5. Doing for God instead of being with God

Mark 3:14

Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send

them out to preach.

6. Spiritualizing away conflict

When you seek to avoid conflict, by all means, please know that some of the

following will happen.

 Say one thing to a person’s face, and then another behind their backs.

 Make promises we have no intention of keeping.

 Blame, attack, give people the silent treatment.

 Become sarcastic.

 Give in because we are afraid of not being liked.

 Tell only half the truth because we cannot bear to hurt a friend’s feelings.

 Say yes when we mean no.

 Avoid, withdraw, and cut off.

 Find an outside person with whom we can share in order to ease our

anxiety.

7. Covering over brokenness, weakness, and failure

We have to put on a facade/face to appear ok.

Psalm 51:17. David trumpeted his weaknesses in a hymn book

2 Corinthians 12:7-10. Paul’s thorn in the flesh

8. Living without limits

The core spiritual issue here relates to our limits and our humanity. We are not

God. We cannot serve everyone in need. We are human. When Paul said, “I can

do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13), the context

was that of learning to be content in all circumstances. The strength he received

from Christ was not the strength to change, deny, or defy his circumstances; it

was the strength to be content in the midst of them, to surrender to God’s loving

will for him (Philippians 4:11–13).

Jesus did not heal every sick person.

Jesus did not raise every dead person.

Jesus did not feed all the hungry beggars.

IV. STEPS TO DEVELOPING EMOTIONAL MATURITY

1. Allow yourself to feel

God Feels:

 “God saw that it was good … very good” (Genesis 1:25, 31).

 “The LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was

grieved” (Genesis 6:6).

 “I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God” (Exodus 20:5).

 “For a long time I have kept silent, I have been quiet and held myself back.

But now, like a woman in childbirth, I cry out, I gasp and pant” (Isaiah 42:14).

 “The fierce anger of the LORD will not turn back until he fully accomplishes

the purposes of his heart” (Jeremiah 30:24).

 “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with kindness”

(Jeremiah 31:3).

 “How can I hand you over, Israel? … My heart is changed within me; all my

compassion is aroused” (Hosea 11:8).

 The problem is that when we neglect our most intense emotions, we are false to

ourselves and close off an open door through which to know God.

2. Resist a false self

a. I am what I do (Performance)

b. I am what I have (Possessions)

c. I am what others think (Popularity)

3. Beware of the fig leaves…Come to God for the skins

Genesis 3:6-7

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was

pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the

fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did

eat. 7  And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were

naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

Genesis 3:21

Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.

SOUL CANCER

SOUL CANCER

Matthew 13:53-58

⁵³ Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there.⁵⁴ When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? ⁵⁵ Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? ⁵⁶ And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?” ⁵⁷ So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.” ⁵⁸ Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

 

Offense – (Skandalon) – The bait on a Trap

I.               WHAT IS OFFENCE

1.  It’s a response.

2. It needs fuel. 

 3. It requires you to lower yourself

4.  It’s Satan’s Primary Weapon    

5. It’s a personal choice

6.  It creates tunnel vision

7. Turns you into a critic

8. It’s a trap

II. HOW TO BEAT OFFENSE

1. Recognize the symptoms of offense

2. Use Heavens x-ray

Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my disquieting thoughts: And see if there be any way of pain in me, and lead me in the way everlasting"

3. Turn everything into gratitude and praise

Isaiah 61:3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified

4. Let God get them if they need to be gotten

Rom 12 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD.

5. Remember Mercy

Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

THAT THORN IS BEAUTIFUL

THAT THORN IS BEAUTIFUL

 

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: ² I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. ³ And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—⁴ how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. ⁵ Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. ⁶ For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from meAnd lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. ⁸ Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. ⁹ And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

 

 

I.               THE FLESH

 

1.     Can only be flesh in this life

John 3:5-6

Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

 

2.     Nothing good

Romans 7:18

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.

 

3.     Works of the flesh are wicked

Galatians 5:19-21

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, ²¹ 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.

 

 

4.     The flesh will kill you

Romans 8:13 (KJV)

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

 

5.     Lusts against spirit

Galatians 5:17

For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

 

6.     Brings corruption

Galatians 6:8

For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

 

7.     Cannot please God

Romans 8:4-8

That the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the spiritFor those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ⁷ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. ⁸ So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God

 

 

II.              THORNS

1.     It maybe spiritual (messenger of Satan)

2.     It may be relational

3.     It may be mental/emotional

4.     It may be a combination of things

5.     It’s not sin (Being trapped in sin is not a thorn)

6.     It’s not an excuse for being disobedient to Christ

 

 

III.            WHAT THORNS DO FOR US

1.     Show us God’s love and care for us

“There was given to me a thorn in the flesh..”

 

2.     Keeps us aware of our flesh

 

3.     Keeps pride at bay

lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh.

4.     Only needed to the degree we have flesh

 

5.     Thorns release God’s Grace

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness

 

6.     They keep us strong

For when I am weak, then am I strong.

 

IV.            HOW TO RESPOND TO THORNS

1.     Embrace them with gladness

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 

2.     Don’t run from them but grow to appreciate them

 

3.     See the thorn as more beautiful than the rose