THE INHIBITERS TO CHRISTIAN PATIENCE
PSALM 37
INTRODUCTION: THIS PSALM IS AN ENCOURAGEMENT FOR US TO CONTINUE TO “WAIT ON GOD” FOR HIS TIMING, PLAN, AND ACTION. THIS PSALM ALSO IDENTIFIES THE TWO MOST SIGNIFICANT ISSUES IN OUR LIVES THAT WILL WORK AGAINST OUR “WAITING ON THE LORD”.
ISSUE NUMBER ONE – FRETTING, 37:1
Psalm 37:1 (MSG) 1 A David psalm Don't bother your head with braggarts or wish you could succeed like the wicked.
1. THE NIV SAYS FRET
2. THE KJV SAYS FRET
3. AND HERE THE MESSAGE SAYS BOTHER
4. THE MEANING OF THE WORD IS TO BE HOT OR FURIOUS
5. IT IS NOT A WORD OF FEAR, BUT A WORD OF ANGER.
6. ACCORDING TO THIS PSALM, THE FIRST THING GOD WANTS US TO DEAL WITH IS OUR ANGER, NOT OUR FEAR!
7. CONFLICT BRINGS ANGER MORE THAN IT BRINGS FEAR
8. ONCE WE GET INTO ANGER MODE WE POINT FINGERS AT OTHERS, BLAME OTHERS, AND STOP LISTENING TO THE STILL SMALL VOICE OF GOD!
9. WE NEED TO FOCUS ON AVOIDING THOSE SITUATIONS IN OUR LIVES THAT BRING US TO THE POINT OF ANGER. HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTIONS:
Proverbs 19:11 (NIV) A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.
Proverbs 17:14 (NIV) Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
a. IGNORE PETTY DISAGREEMENTS
Proverbs 22:24-25 (NIV) Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, 25 or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.
b. IDENTIFY ANGER PRONE PEOPLE AND AVOID THEM
Proverbs 15:1 (NIV) A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 21:23 (NIV) He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.
c. IMPEDE YOUR TONGUE WHEN YOU ARE ANGRY – OR AS MY MOTHER WOULD SAY, “BITE YOUR TONGUE”
James 1:19 (NIV) My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
Ecclesiastes 7:9 (NIV) Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
Proverbs 16:32 (NIV) Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.
d. INVESTIGATE ALL THE FACTS BEFORE REACTING
Proverbs 21:14 (NIV) A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.
Romans 12:14 (NIV) Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
e. INTERCEDE AND PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ANGER YOU
James 1:20 (NIV) for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
f. INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ANGER MUST BE ACCEPTED
ISSUE NUMBER TWO IS ENVY
1. THE WORD MEANS GLOWING HOT
2. THIS KIND OF HEAT COME FROM COMPARISON
3. IN FACT WE ARE TOLD TO RELAX (37:8) AS THE RESULT OF NOT RELAXING IS TO DEVELOP WRATH – LITERALLY A POISON.
4. THE ONLY JOB OF POISON IS TO KILL SOMETHING – YOU!
5. ENVY PRODUCES LOTS OF NEGATIVES IN OUR LIVES:
1 Peter 2:1-2 (NIV) Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
a. ENVY PREVENTS SPIRITUAL GROWTH
1 Timothy 6:4 (NIV)
4 he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions
b. ENVY PRODUCES EVIL
Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV) The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
c. ENVY IS A PART OF THE WORKS OF THE FLESH
Proverbs 27:4 (NIV) Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?
d. ENVY IS POWERFUL
THROUGHOUT THIS PSALM DAVID GIVES US CONFIDENCE IN THE ACTIVITY OF GOD SO THAT WE WILL NOT HAVE TO FALL INTO FET OR ENVY AT OUR CIRCUMSTANCES:
VERSES 12-22 DAVID TELLS US THIS:
1. GOD LAUGHS AT THE PLANS OF THE EVIL
2. THE PLANS OF THE EVIL BACKFIRE
3. HAVING MUCH WITH WICKEDNESS IS INFERIOR TO HAVING A LITTLE WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS
4. GOD PROTECTS THE UPRIGHT
5. THE LORD REPAYS OUR GENEROSITY WITH HIS JUSTICE
IN VERSES 23-30 DAVID TELLS US
1. GOD PROTECTS OUR WAYS
2. GOD PROVIDES OUR FOOD
3. GOD LOVES US AND SECURES US
4. GOD GIVES US WISDOM BECAUSE OUR HEARTS HAVE HIS LAW
WHEN TEMPTED IN THE AREAS OF ANGER OR ENVY, THE SIMPLE CURE IS TO CHANGE OUR FOCUS:
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
