The Pathway of Holiness — Donny Coulter

So, today, we're going to take a train ride up the mountain to learning, to, if you remember, I'm going to bring you back, so here's what we're doing today. We're recapping where we were back in November.

We had spent most of September, October, and half of November talking about the battlefield of the mind, the battlefield towards holiness, the battle towards holiness, the work of holiness, we called it.

And I want to jump back and catch us back up before we begin to move on. Is that okay with you? We're going to do a big review because it's been since the middle of November since we've talked about this, and I felt like it would be important to bring you back up on some of the principles and the scriptures that we use to be able to lay the groundwork for what we're moving ahead to.

And what we are moving ahead to is this work of holiness. For us to ever get to a place where we can live holy lives, I believe that we must first get our minds in the right place. I'll explain that in a few moments why I think that way.

But I want to take us back to a long time ago when we were talking about the holiness of God. Do you remember that? We talked about the holiness of God and how the holiness of God really means that God is other.

And what I mean by that is there is no one like Him. There is no one as pure and as holy and as righteous as He is. He is absolutely other. Holy means to be set apart. And He is completely set apart from any part of creation.

He is holy. He is other as we have referred to Him. 1 Peter. Take your Bible if you would and turn to 1 Peter chapter 1. And you'll remember we looked at this verse over and over and over again. And we're going to look at it again today as we jump back into this.

Be patient with me because I'm just going to teach again right through this stuff as quickly as I possibly can. Therefore, He says, gird up the loins of your mind. Here's what He's saying when He says gird up the loins of your mind.

He's saying like the Roman soldier tucked his tunic into his belt so that he was ready for the battle. Nothing would be in the way. Like the man who was getting ready to run would take and tuck his robe into his belt.

He's saying you get your mind. Prepare your mind for action is what He's saying. Prepare your mind for action. Be sober. Be morally alert to what is going on around you and what's happening in your own life.

And rest your hope upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Now, think about what we just read. Have you received grace already? We have, haven't we? We sure have.

But Peter here is talking about a grace that's coming. That when Jesus Christ is revealed, we're going to receive a grace from God that we have not yet received. And that is the transference from this fleshly kingdom into a spiritual kingdom.

When we will then be as He is. And what an amazing grace that is to think about, isn't it? That we will be as Christ. We will be like Christ. Finally, the purpose of God is fulfilled in every one of us.

As His grace is revealed. His final grace is revealed in us and through us and on us at the time when Jesus is revealed to us in the second coming. As obedient children. As children who are obedient to the Father.

Do you know that your Father is God? That behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called what? The children of God. The sons and daughters of God. That we should be called the children.

And now He's saying, be obedient children to your Father. And how do we be obedient? How is our obedience seen? It's not in conforming. Look what He says. Not in conforming yourselves to the former lust.

This word conforming. It means to be pressured from the outside. To be molded and shaped. It's only used twice in scripture. That is here. And it's in Romans chapter 12 verses 1 and 2. And it's conformed means to be pressured from the outside.

Now what is it that we're not supposed to be conformed by? He says from your former lust. Or your former desires. Your former lifestyle. As in your ignorance. Here's what He's saying. I've had this discussion with some folks here lately.

A sinner just does what a sinner does. I believe it's in Jeremiah. Can the Ethiopian change the color of his skin or the leopard his spots? Then neither can you who are accustomed to doing unrighteousness do righteousness.

In other words, we are going to do what we're supposed to do. And in our ignorance as sinners, we did live by the lust of the flesh. And now He's saying do not be. As obedient children, don't be conformed by that old way of living.

That old person that you were. Don't be conformed by that. But, look at verse 15. But as he who called you is holy. Now here's why we had to lay the groundwork for the holiness of God. Because he who called you is other.

And God did not call you so that you could remain in your former lust. Do you follow my thinking? God has not called you to remain in your former lust. God has called you as His child to move you from your former lifestyle into a new life.

That is a reflection of the God, the holy God that has called you. So, he who has called you is holy. You also. Now, if you're a child of God today. And you're in this room or listening online. Do you believe that you are exempt from this command that we are given by Peter and the Holy Spirit?

Are you exempt? I think we need to answer that question. Because sometimes I think we think we're exempt that this is only meant for preachers. Or really holy people. You know, people that really love Jesus.

But I'm telling you that the command to holiness is to every one of the children of God. And that includes you. So, he says, be holy. Or as you also be holy. Look what he says. Be also holy in all of your conduct.

I love that. All of your conduct. Now, let me write down. It may or may not show up. I need to find the pen and get yellow all of a sudden. Where did it go? Sorry. I'm not going to worry about it. I'm not going to take the time.

Three things that I believe that describe your conduct. Number one is your attitude. And your attitude oftentimes reflects in your actions and in your words. Do you follow me? So, here's the idea. He says that you be holy in all of your conduct.

So now, add in there. Instead of conduct, let's throw in those three words. Be holy in your attitude, your actions, and your words. That about covers everything, doesn't it? Your attitude, which includes your thoughts, your actions, and your words.

Be holy, men and women, children of God. Why do we need to do that? Because it is written, be holy for I am holy. God is holy and He has here commanded you to be holy. So that your words and your life proclaim Him.

This is our purpose. That my words, my attitudes, my actions, my life, my conduct. All of my conduct proclaims Him, the God who has called me as other. You see how it works? That God is holy and He's called me to be holy.

So that I can live in an unholy world that proclaims that God is holy. That's our calling. That's what we're supposed to be doing. That's how we're supposed to be living. I believe, in all of my heart, that the devil is attempting to keep you from doing that.

I believe that he is constantly and consistently at your heels. Making sure that you are not living in such a way that would proclaim the God who is your father as other. I believe that he keeps you. If he can keep you from living out holiness in your life.

Then he can dim the picture of the holiness or the otherness of God in this world. And if he can dim the light of the holiness of God. Then why would it draw people to him? Why would he be any different than any other God?

You see how the devil has a pretty good plan, doesn't he? If he can keep you from holiness, he can keep the world from seeing the holiness of God. So, we then must do what we call the work of holiness.

We have to do the work of holiness. I am not talking about a work that guarantees my salvation. I'm talking about a work that comes out of my salvation. You see the difference in the two? I don't work to attain and maintain my salvation.

I work constantly and consistently towards holiness because I am saved. Not because I want to be saved. So, we've been commanded here to live out this holy life. And I believe, I think it's strange, not strange, I think it's really appropriate.

That Peter begins this command with holiness right back up at the first part of verse 13. Look at it again. Therefore, get your mind ready for action. So I believe that in this command to holiness, we are told to get our heads in the right place.

Get your thinking in the right place as you move towards holiness. And we talked about how the mind is a battlefield. We fight this fight in the battlefield of the mind. This fight of holiness begins in the mind itself, in the way that we think.

He says, get your mind ready for action. You remember several months ago that I said that we have to rediscover, as believers, we have to rediscover critical thinking. You believe that? I am afraid that we have lost the ability to critically think.

Here's what happens. In my humble opinion anyway, what I think happens is that way more often than not, we take information in as truth without ever questioning. Without ever studying. Without ever looking into it.

We just hear it. Sounds good. Looks good. Feels good. Must be good. And so we take that information in as truth, and we never take an opportunity to critically think through that. How many of us have ever considered someone else's thoughts and ideologies?

I mean, how many of us have ever... Let's just talk about doctrine. How many of us have ever considered the doctrine of grace that others may have? I came from a life in church where grace was something very different than I believe it is now.

I came from a church where, at the very least, if I told a lie, my salvation was in jeopardy. And how many of us have ever looked at another side? Because by looking at another side, it allows us to understand where we are or where we should be.

Make sense? So critical thinking, I believe, is important. And critical thinking is about being an active learner rather than a passive recipient of information. We need to be critical thinkers. Our minds need to be in the right place.

Critical thinkers rigorously question ideas and assumptions rather than accepting them at face value. A critical thinker will always seek to determine whether the ideas, arguments, and findings represent the entire picture and are open to finding that they are not.

You see what he's saying? So I believe that as we look at holiness, the work of holiness, that we have got to learn to think critically as we look at the world. Look at 1 Corinthians 10. Let me see if I can explain this now as we look at these verses.

Look at verse 3. Here's the picture that this is drawing for us. There is a fleshly world here. And there is a spiritual world here. And those two worlds are constantly at battle. Don't believe me? Read Galatians chapter 5 and Romans chapter 7.

There is a constant battle between the flesh and the spirit. Constantly battling all the time. There's these battlefields that we have. We are in a spiritual battle between the flesh and the spirit. And I think that we can draw from this a picture of the mind being that in-between section between the flesh and the spirit.

And that when we understand that it's how we think, if we think fleshly, then guess what's going to win? The flesh. If we think spiritually, then we're going to win the spiritual battle. And so look what he says.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down of strongholds. Who is the stronghold puller downer?

In this verse. I know that was a real southern question. Who is responsible for pulling down of strongholds? Who has the power to pull the strongholds down? God does. Mighty in God for the pulling down of strongholds.

Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. And being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

So let's jump into this real quick so that we can get a taste of it and move on. I believe that the mind being the battlefield, look what he says here. That in that battlefield we must allow the strongholds.

Those are the arguments against God. Human thinking, human reasoning. Lofty human thinking. That's falsely thought to be superior, more lofty than God's thinking. Is revealed where? In his word. In the spiritual realm we understand that.

And we understand that all of those things, pride, any of those things that lift themselves above God. Must be brought down and that is brought down by the power of God. But it's brought down in some very practical ways.

And that is you and I bringing our thoughts into the captivity of Christ. You see what he says? That I am bringing every thought in this battlefield. If I'm standing between the spirit and the flesh and the battle is ongoing.

Then in my mind I must think in the spirit. I must walk in the spirit and not in the flesh. So that when it comes time for me to battle that battle that's always going on. I am thinking here and not here.

Because if I'm thinking here I'm always going to lose. Our responsibility begins in pursuing and taking captive all of the non-God honoring thoughts in your minds. After God has torn down the strongholds.

God tears down the strongholds and then you have an opportunity to go in and take those thoughts captive. Because he has the power. And all of this takes place in your life by repeated and determined application of God's truth.

Did you hear that? Taking thoughts captive. Having those strongholds pulled down. Come true in your life by repeated and determined application of God's truth. It means that we refuse to entertain concepts that are contrary to scripture.

As soon as you begin. Sounds good, looks good, feels good, must be good. But is it scriptural? Is it biblical? And we have got to be able to determine and stand against those things and refuse them when they come at us.

We have to resolutely act on what the scripture approves. Did you hear that? We must resolutely with all resolve we must act on what the scripture approves. And not on what the world or the flesh approves.

We have got to do that consistently and constantly in our lives. To be able to bring those thoughts into captivity. Now turn to Colossians chapter 3. Continuing with the mind. Oh, I got to hurry. Set your mind on things above.

Look what he says. Colossians 3, 1 -3. If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above where Christ is. Sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above. Not on things of the earth.

You see that battlefield again? Spirit, flesh, mind. Set your mind on things that are above and not on things that are of the earth. For you died and your life is hid in Christ. It means to exercise your mind.

That's what set your mind on. Exercise your mind. The idea of setting your affections on. It is your thinking, your reasoning has to be placed on the heavenly stuff. On the God honoring stuff. Not in the flesh and not in the world.

On things that are above and not in this life. Kingdom. Putting our mind on kingdom related things. Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 6, verse 33. Seek first this world and all it has to offer and God might bless you.

Is that what it says? Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all of these things will be added to you. So we are to be kingdom thinkers. We are to be thinking in the realm of the kingdom.

When we seek this direction, listen to this. When we seek this direction, our perspective changes on everything that happens. Whether it's good or bad. We were talking about that just recently. Two Sundays ago.

We talked about that. That God is good and God is the most high God. If God is good and He is the most high God. When we seek everything in the spiritual realm and not in the fleshly realm. Then we understand from a perspective that's changed.

That everything is about what God desires. When you receive riches. It's not about what I can hoard and put away. It's about what I can give away. When you go through trials or sickness or wars. It's about this being temporary.

And eternity is my goal. This is a momentary light, affliction He says. It's not meaningless. What you are going through is not meaningless. And when you have the proper perspective. When you have a spiritual perspective about this life.

If you have a spirit led perspective. If your mind is set on things that are above and not on things that are below. If you have that. It changes the way that you see what's going on around you. You can see it as not being meaningless.

But being eternal. When we do this. When we think in these ways. What's important to God. What's important to Jesus becomes important to us. Do you see why it's so important to think? Properly. Because when we think properly.

What's important to God. What's important to Christ becomes important to you and to me. Look at Romans 5, 8 and 9 says. For those who live according to the flesh. Over here. In this side. Those who live according to the flesh.

They set their minds on these things. He says the things of the flesh. But those who live according to the spirit. They set their mind on the things of the spirit. For to be carnally minded is death. Notice that word.

To be carnally minded. To be fleshly minded. To be thinking over here. To have your mind always over here. It means death. But to be spiritually minded means life and peace. Now watch what he says in verse 7.

Because the fleshly mind. The carnal mind. Is enmity. It's division. So we've got death. And we've got division with God. For it is not subject to the law of God. Look at that. Now there's defiance. There's death.

Division. And defiance. I am not subject to the law of God. Nor indeed can you be. So then those who are in the flesh. Cannot please God. I hope you're seeing a picture. But you are not in the flesh but in the spirit.

If indeed the spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the spirit of Christ. He is not his. Let me call you to think again. That if you are constantly worried about being pleasing to God.

And displeasing to God. Maybe you do not have the spirit of God in you. And if the spirit of God is not in you. Then you are not a believer. And if you are not a believer. Then your eternal destination is very different than what God has designed and desired for you.

And it's as simple as recognizing your need. Your sinfulness. That you are fleshly. You are sinful. And God is holy. And coming to God. And saying that I believe with all of my heart. That Christ has made the way for me.

And by believing that. And submitting to God. You can become his children. His child. It's yours. And it's free. And it's not difficult. If you do not have the spirit of God in you. Then you are not one of his.

But if you want to be one of his. It's pretty simple to listen and obey the calling of the Holy Spirit. As he calls on you. Romans chapter 12. I beseech you therefore brothers and sisters by the mercies of God.

That you present your bodies a living sacrifice. Holy. There is that command once again. Remember we are talking about this holy command. This holiness. And the work of holiness. And it begins in the mind.

Now we are moving away from that. To looking at what we have got to do. And how we achieve. Or win the work of holiness. Look what he says. You are a living sacrifice. Holy and acceptable to God. Which is your reasonable service.

And do not be conformed. There is that word again that we talked about. It means to be pressured from the outside. To be molded from the outside. Do not be conformed to this world. Over here. But be transformed by the renewing or the renovating of your mind.

Take out all the old. And put in the new. Take out all of this stuff over here. That has corrupted your thinking. That was your formal lifestyle. And your formal conduct. And your formal attitudes. And your formal actions.

And your former words. Take those out. And put in. Renovate. Take that out. And put in the new stuff. That is the stuff of the Spirit. That you may prove. Look what he says. So that you may prove what is good and acceptable.

And the perfect will of God. This is why I believe that this battlefield begins here. That if we don't start taking the old stuff out. And putting the new stuff in. That we are going to lose this battle.

And if we kept allowing the world to come in. And not critically think through the information that we are being fed. Then we are going to lose this battle. Because if it looks good. Feels good. Sounds good.

Well it must be good. Yes, I've said that three times now. Trying to make a point. So, we are not to be conformed. But we are to be renovated. Our minds are to be renovated. Now, I want you to see this as kind of a finality on this.

To show where we've been. 1 Peter, get your mind ready for action. 2 Corinthians, take every thought captive. Colossians chapter 3, set your mind on things that are above. Romans, don't be conformed but be transformed.

Renovate your mind. And then we started into our track of Philippians chapter 4 and verse 8. So if I'm going to renovate my mind. And put new things in my mind. What am I supposed to put in my mind? Watch Philippians chapter 4, verses 6 -9.

Be anxious for nothing but in everything. By prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. Let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding. Will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters. Whatever things are true. There's number one. Whatever things are true. Whatever things are noble. What are honorable. Whatever things are just. Or whatever things are right.

Whatever things are pure. Whatever things are lovely. Whatever things are of good report. If there is any virtue. And if there is anything praiseworthy. Meditate on these things. The things which you have learned and received and heard and saw in me.

These do. So now we're going to make a transition. As soon as we get done with this week and this next week. I hope that we're finished with Philippians chapter 4, verse 8. And we're going to move into how in the world do we make that a reality in our lives.

What does the scripture have to say about making those things a reality in our lives. In other words, how do we do these things. As he says here. So let's talk real quick about what is true. True. Just as a reminder.

What is true? Anything that is true. It's actually the opposite of a lie. Right? I mean, that's pretty good logic. It's the opposite of a lie. So what does truth do? Truth allows us to combat lies. And so we are to think on those things which are true.

And look what Jesus says in John 17. Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth. So the place to seek out the way to fight against the lies of the enemy. Is to seek it out in God's word. Seek truth in the word of God.

Young people. Listen. Well, not just young people. Everybody. Truth is not found on Twitter and Instagram and TikTok and Facebook. It's not found there. Truth is found in the word of God. Absolute truth is found in the word of God.

Oh, what I wish is that we could spend as much time in the word of God as we do in social media. We would be a different church if we did that, wouldn't we? And I'm speaking to myself. If we could spend as much time in those other things as we do, as we would in the word of God, in the truth of God, we would be very different people.

No wonder the church was much different before electronics took over our lives. But that which is truth. Sanctify them by truth. Your stability stands right here. Your ability to be stable in any circumstance stands on the fact that you know truth and that you believe it.

I believe that our beliefs ought to control and influence our behaviors. Don't you? That what we believe ought to influence how we behave. And so if we are standing on the truth, then that is your stability.

That is your rock. That is your place where you stand. It does not move. And this spiritual battle, listen, this spiritual battle that you're experiencing that we're going through, this battle that's right here, this is not a battle of power because you've been given all the power, all divine power that you need according to 2 Peter 1.

You've been given all that you need. All divine power has been given to you. So it's not a power struggle. What it is, it's a truth struggle. Do you believe the truth? Do you stand on the truth? Do you trust God like we said last week?

Do you really always believe the truth? The deceiver will always ask things like, does it work? Oh, that's a great truth, but does it really work? And he'll push you into pragmatism, away from the spiritual life into pragmatism.

And everything is practical and everything works like this instead of the spiritual. And the deceiver will often ask you, does it feel good? And I want to tell you right now, truth does not often feel good.

I sat with a pastor this last week on Tuesday up in Calgary, who was the subject of all the media storm for about a week in Calgary. CTV Global and Reddit and all of those. He was the subject. And I can tell you because he took a stand on truth, that it was not easy.

It was not fun. He and his wife had to go for a week. The week before, they had to go to a retreat center just to recover a little bit. Because of all of the attack of the people that are around them.

If you're going to stand for truth, then I can promise you that you're going to experience trouble. And I believe that our culture is coming for us. If we're going to stand on truth, then I believe that our culture is coming for us.

And because of that, let me tell you three things and we'll talk about this more. This was not really in the notes, but I'm going to say it anyway. I believe that because we are becoming the target of the world around us.

You don't believe me? Just look outside of North America and see. How Christians are becoming a target. How those who stand on the truth and the word of God. That archaic word of God. Those of us who stand on that are being attacked all around the world.

And it's coming our way. I believe it's coming. It has to. And when it comes, I believe it's going to make the church smaller. In other words, the church is going to be sifted. It's going to become a smaller church.

And I believe because it becomes smaller, it's going to be a poorer church. In other words, it's not going to have as much financial stability. It's not going to be able to depend on its ability to meet its budgets and hold its big footprint.

And the glory of all of that, the beauty of all of that, the wonderful part of all of that is even though the church is smaller and it's poorer, the church becomes purer. It becomes holy. And I think smaller and poorer is a good way to become holy.

It's a good thing to put up with to become holy. That's my own opinion. But the believer will ask, is it true? Is it excellent? Is it praiseworthy according to Philippians chapter 4? Now look what he says, whatever is honorable.

I'm going to zoom through these. Whatever is honorable. Words to describe something that's honorable. Listen to these words. Worthy of respect. Something that is worthy of respect. Something that is dignified.

Something that is lofty and not trashy. Of good character. Integrity. There's one to hold on. When you think of honorable, hold on to this word integrity. That something has integrity. And that's what's used to describe the elders of the church.

That's what's used to describe these young men in the church. That they are to live a life and show a pattern. Look what it says. In all things, showing yourself to be a pattern of good works in doctrine, showing integrity, reverence, and incorruptibility.

And the third thing that we talked about was right. That which is right. 2 Timothy or 1 Timothy chapter 3. 2 Timothy talks about the life of the elders. But I'm sorry, I'm trying to hurry and I'm going to get back on track.

Here's the third one. Whatever is right. Righteousness. Whatever is just. Whatever is right. Let me ask you the question. Who determines what is right? Answer that question for yourself. Who determines what is right?

And the answer is God. It is not our government. It is not our pastor. It is God. God determines what is right. 2 Timothy or 1 Timothy chapter 3. Verses 16 and 17. Talk, tell us. That when we want to know what is right, we go to scripture.

All scripture is given by God. By the inspiration of God. And is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction. And instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete. Thoroughly equipped for every good work.

If you will remember. We drew a road. And in that road we had a little place. These lines here. Is the doctrine of God. That's where we determine what is right. In the inspired word of God. We determine what is right.

And that's the lines that we operate in and live in. Because that is the teachings of God. And the teachings about God. But when we go off the line. The word of God is there to reprove us. It says Donnie, you're wrong.

And then it comes in and says. Here's how you get back right on the road Donnie. Correction. And then it gives me instruction in righteousness. And I gave this illustration. Who was that? Steven this week.

We were talking and I gave this illustration. That when we first become believers. Our road looks like this. Doesn't it? Our road looks like this. We're always off the road. But part of the maturity and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Is to make sure. I don't know if this will work. Yes it does. Part of this is to make sure that our life becomes more like that. That the failures are fewer and farther in between. Those things that are right.

We seek those things that are right. And what God determines is right. Is what we ought to seek. And then lastly. Is whatever is pure. Pure is defined by that which is holy, morally clean, undefiled. The word for holy and holiness comes from the root word of pure.

It means free from defilement. It means stainless. Uncontaminated by moral depravity. It means flawless. Morally and inwardly clean. That is the word pure. And when we talked about it. We talked about how purity is to affect every part of our life.

Even our sexuality. Do you remember that? We talked about sexuality and how we are to be pure men and women. And young people when it comes to sexuality. Because 1 John 3 .3 says. And everyone who has this hope in himself.

Purifies himself just as he is pure. The example of pure is Christ. Now. I have regurgitated a whole lot of stuff here. For a long time. So that we can begin. I wanted to get your minds back on track.

So that you see this. And you know that there is this battle here. Where we have been called to. That there is the constant battle of the flesh and the spirit. And if we have our minds in the right place.

Then we can win the battle. And so now when we have our minds in the right place. After next week we are going to move on to. How do we do that in a practical way? So the Bible uses words like put off.

Put off. And it gives us a list of things that we are to put off. So if God is concerned enough about some things. To give us a list of things that we shouldn't be doing. Don't you think we should pay attention to them?

And then he says put on these things. And so we are going to look at some of those things. And how it affects our life. And I hope that it pushes us into a place. Where we can begin to think about the work of holiness.

In a practical way of living. Not just some lofty thing that happens to preachers. But it happens to all of us. So I want to ask the question. Do you want to be holy? Do you want to answer the command to be holy?

And if you do. Then we have to get our mind in the right place. So that we can make the right kind of decisions. And choices in our lives. To be able to follow the things that are pleasing to him. The things that are of faith.

And not of distrust. Do you want to be holy? Let's move towards that. Let's pray. Father, thank you for your word. I pray that you take my jumbled words and ideas. Put them all together for us. God because they really are your words.

They come from your words. And I pray that we would put these ideas and thoughts together. So that we can begin to move in our lives. In thinking on a daily basis about what it means to be holy. How to make choices.

Of not to have malice. And anger towards our wives and our husbands. Our friends or someone at church. Because we are told to put those things away. To put them aside. I pray Father that you would help us to be able to see that.

And to God to make every effort. Empowered by your Holy Spirit to do it. May you lead us there. But the only way for us to do that is to see the truth first in the word of God. So I pray that you would help us to do it.