THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS EMOTIONS

OUTLINE

I. DEALING WITH FEAR.

II. DEALING WITH BITTERNESS.

III. DEALING WITH GUILT,

Part One.

IV. DEALING WITH GUILT,

Part Two.

V. DEALING WITH FRUSTRATION.

VI. DEALING WITH DEPRESSION.

VII. DEALING WITH JEALOUSY.

VIII. DEALING WITH ANGER.

IX. DEALING WITH BOREDOM.

X. DEALING WITH LONELINESS.

Part One.

XI. DEALING WITH LONELINESS.

Part Two.

XII. DEALING WITH CRITICISM.

Part One.

XIII. DEALING WITH CRITICISM.

Part Two.

XIV. DEALING WITH IMPULSIVENESS.

Part One.

XV. DEALING WITH IMPULSIVENESS.

Part Two.

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Lesson l
THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS EMOTIONS
DEALING WITH FEAR

INTRODUCTION:
Fear is inner panic. It suggests the possibility of loss and is supported by visions of the
unknown, the unexpected, the uncontrollable. Fear causes our imaginations to go wild and
convinces us that the worst is about to happen. Fear is a painful and distressing emotion. See I
John 4:18.
Some fear is desirable. For example, the fear of God and the fear of fire. Our concern is
fear that destroys or at least limits our effectiveness as Christians.
Our fear may be of our own making. We fear we will go under financially. Yet the
root cause of our financial difficulty may be wrong decisions, overspending, and undisciplined
use of credit cards. Fear of divorce often results from actions such as unfaithfulness or failing
to give proper time and energy toward making our marriage work. We may fear the future
because of unwise decisions we've made in the past.
Our fear may be caused by things which are outside our control such as inflation, world
economics, the choices our children make, and illness.
Our fear may be caused by our feelings of inferiority, lack of experience, or the feeling
that others are more qualified than we are.

I. THE BASIS OF THE CHRISTIAN'S SECURITY IS CHRIST.

The basic cause of fear is insecurity. The following verses state that in Christ we have
security.
A. We are secure in Christ because we have been redeemed.
See I Peter 2:24. The Bible leaves us no doubt as to the significance of Christ's
death. He, the very Son of God, died in your place and mine, receiving in His
body the penalty that you and I deserved. By this act He redeemed you and me.
The word redemption means to be freed from the penalty of our sin by another.
B. We are secure in Christ because we have been adopted. We are no longer a slave,
but a child of God with full rights and privileges. See Romans 8:15-17. The
spirit of bondage is to live in an attitude of fear and apprehension. The spirit of
adoption is to live in security. Fear is replaced by acceptance, a feeling of
belonging, security.
C. We are secure in Christ because we have a special relationship with the eternal God.
He is our Father. Jesus spoke in Matthew 6:25-34 of the loving care which our
heavenly Father extends to his children. He has graciously promised to provide
for us the necessities of life -- food, drink and clothing -- if we put Him first. Our
relationship to our heavenly Father is the basis of our security. Paul spoke of the
Father's gift to us in II Timothy 1:7.

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Lesson 1 (cont’d)

II. SCRIPTURAL PRINCIPLES TO USE IN DEALING WITH FEAR.

Becoming a Christian does not automatically free us from fear. We cannot prevent fear
from presenting itself; but we can refuse to allow it to become a houseguest.
A. Bring your fear out into the light. Examine your fear to see it for what it is, to see if
there is anything you can do about it. Be honest with yourself as to whether you
have really taken the matter to God in prayer.
B. Decide that you want to be free of this fear. God has given to us a free will. He will
not force us to receive even that which is good (a calm mind free of fear).
Making up the mind to do something about the fear that is tormenting us is
crucial. The victory begins here. John 13:17.
C. Replace fear with praise. Fear gains its control over our lives through our minds.
Fear seeks to control the imagination, to make our minds dwell on “the what
if's”, and our own inability to face and control these possibilities. When fear
presents itself, replace it with praise based on promises. See Philippians 4:8;
Psalm 56:3-4.
D. Give the fear to God. That which you give becomes the receivers to own and do with
as he likes. This is exactly what Peter is saying in I Peter 5:7.

CONCLUSION:
A lack of faith means an abundance of fears. Trust God to do as He promised in
Philippians 4:19, and your fears will take wing and fly away.

Answer the following questions:

1. In the introduction, there are three things listed that may cause fear in our lives, what
are they?
a. b. c.
2. What is basic cause of fear?

3. Who is the Person that gives us security?

4. List the three reasons why we as Christians have security in Christ.

a. b. c.
5. If we put God first in our lives all of our needs will be met. Matthew 6:33.
TRUE or FALSE

6. List the four principles to use in dealing with fear.

a. b. c. d.

7. After becoming a Christian does this free you from the emotion of fear?
YES or NO

8. The lack of faith in what causes an abundance of fear?

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Lesson #1
Answer Key
THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS EMOTIONS
DEALING WITH FEAR

1. a. Fear made by our own making.

b. Fear made by things outside our control.
c. Fear made by our wrong emotions.

2. Insecurity.

3. Jesus Christ.

4. a. We have been redeemed.

b. We have been adopted.
c. We have a special relationship with God, He is our Father.

5. True.

6. a. Bring your fear out into the light.

b. Decide that you want to be free of this fear.
c. Replace fear with praise.
d. Give the fear to God.

7. No.

8. In God's Word -- (The promises which is God's Word).

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Lesson 2
THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS EMOTIONS
DEALING WITH BITTERNESS

In our society it is easy to be resentful, to become bitter. There is much injustice. While
we may be bitter because of physical injuries, most of us have to deal with the injury of the inner
spirit. Whatever the source of the hurt, bitterness is the infection of the wounded spirit.
Our reaction to hurt usually follows this pattern: 1. We discover that a person has
betrayed our trust and we feel the sting of hurt. We may exclaim, “How could he do that to
me?” 2. If we make the mistake of brooding over the hurt, bitterness sets in. We then find
ourselves declaring, “He can't do that to me and get away with it. I'll show him”. 3. Finally, as
bitterness grows, we devise a way to get even. We plot our revenge. This may be something we
do to them or it may be that we simply withdraw our friendship and love.

I. WHY BITTERNESS IS NOT THE ANSWER.

Bible warns us not to let even a root of bitterness remain in our hearts. Bitterness will
contaminate and defile many. Hebrews 12:15.

A. All of us will experience that which will cause bitterness if we allow it to. We may
also be responsible for causing others hurt, intentionally or unintentionally.

B. Bitterness has devastating effects. It can be the cause of physical and emotional
illnesses. It robs us of our peace and joy; it brings a sternness to the
countenance, a harshness to the spirit, and ages a person before his time.

C. Bitterness comes between us and our God. When we refuse to forgive we find
ourselves unable to accept God's forgiveness. See Matthew 6:12, 14, &
15. To respond in bitterness hurts us more than the person whose action
brought on the response of bitterness.

II. OUR LORD'S ANSWER TO BITTERNESS.

Our Lord's answer to bitterness goes against human nature, does not satisfy our desire for
revenge, and is possible only when we depend on the energy of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Luke 6:27-28. Jesus gives us four keys: Love, bless, do good and pray:

A. LOVE: This love is not an emotional feeling, it is something we do. This loves comes
from God and flows through us to the person in need of that love. Romans 5:5

B. BLESS: To bless is to affirm the individual's worth before God, and is to wish divine
blessing and prosperity for the individual. It is also to give up our desire for
revenge. Romans 12:19. This is one thing God reserves for Himself. WHY?
Because only God is capable of fully seeing the situation from all sides. He, who
is the source of justice, is the only worthy judge.

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Lesson 2 (cont’d)

C. DO GOOD: This is hard and certainly goes against the grain. This is also why it is so
effective. There is nothing which can restore a broken relationship as quickly as
a kind deed for the person who feels he least deserves it.

D. PRAY: You cannot hate someone and pray sincerely for them at the same time. By the
very act of praying for them, we step over to their side of the situation.

III. DEALING WITH THE FEELINGS OF HURT.

To rid ourselves of bitterness is a spiritual battle, especially if the bitterness has taken
root. These old feelings which we have nursed and brooded over do not easily leave. The
winning of the battle over feelings begins on our knees.

A. In prayer, review the entire situation with the Lord. Imagine taking all those feelings
of hurt and vengeance in your hands and holding them out to the Lord.
In faith, ask God to empty your hands; to take away those feelings, and in their
place, to “pour in His love”. Romans 5:5.

B. Ask God to heal your wounded spirit. Jesus said that He came to heal the
brokenhearted. See Luke 4 18. Accept the promise of His gift of inner
healing.

C. When old feelings return, refuse to entertain them. By faith affirm, “I have given
these feelings over to God. From this moment on I will consider only thoughts of
good will toward this person”.

D. Trust God to give you feelings of love and understanding.

CONCLUSION:
Ask God daily to cleanse your heart and mind of irritations and feelings of bitterness
toward any person or groups of persons because of what may or may not have happened. Learn
to keep short accounts between you and others and between you and God. Ephesians 4:26.
Minor problems grow all out of proportion when they are not dealt with speedily. Uncle John,
as a boy, lost his leg and foot from the knee down because the little wound on his foot wasn't
dealt with speedily. A little minor sore unattended caused him to lose his leg and foot and to
walk on wood all his life.

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Lesson 2 (cont’d)

Answer the following questions:

1. Our reaction to hurt usually follows a pattern. List the three steps using one word for
each step.
a. b. c.

2. Who can experience bitterness if they allow it to take root?

3. Can bitterness hurt you physically as well as spiritually?

4. Can you be right with God and not right with man? Matthew 6:14-15.
YES or NO

5. The Lord's answer to bitterness goes with human nature and satisfies our desire for
revenge.
TRUE or FALSE

6. List the four keys our Lord gives us to deal with bitterness.
a. b.
c. d.

7. The battle over bitterness is won on our knees: List the four things we should do
before God in prayer.
a. b.
c. d.

8. In the "conclusion" there are two things we should do so bitterness will not grow out
of proportion. List them.
a.

b.

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Lesson #2
Answer Key
THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS EMOTIONS
DEALING WITH BITTERNESS

1. a. Betrayal.

b. Brooding.

c. Plotting.

2. All -- Everyone.

3. Yes.

4. No.

5. False.

6. a. Love.

b. Bless.

c. Do good.

d. Pray.

7. a. Review the entire situation with the Lord.

b. Ask for healing.

c. Refuse to entertain bad feelings.

d. Trust God to give you feelings of love and understanding.

8. a. Ask God daily to cleanse your heart and mind of irritations and feelings of bitterness.

b. Keep short accounts between you and others and with God.

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Lesson 3
THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS EMOTIONS
DEALING WITH GUILT
Part One
Guilt is that gnawing feeling deep within that we have done something wrong that must
be made right. Guilt varies from man’s uneasy feeling to an intense torment. It is the absence of
peace of mind and inner joy. It may be caused by real or imagined sin, and its effects vary from
individual to individual.

I. THE THREE BASIC REASONS WHY WE SUFFER GUILT.

A. Sin. If we have committed sin, then we suffer guilt. In this case, guilt is a healthy
emotion for it can lead us to repentance.
B. An inability to accept forgiveness. This guilt persists even though we have repented.
To learn to accept forgiveness, we must deal with why we find ourselves unable to
receive forgiveness and Biblical keys to deliverance.
C. Failure to conclude the past. How are we to handle those things in the past which continue to
haunt us, those “might have been's” and “if only's”? There is a scriptural pattern to
follow to put the past behind us once and for all.

II. SIN AND GOD'S PROVISIONS FOR OUR FORGIVENESS.

A. Sin can be defined as rebellion against the law of God. I John 3:4. It is choosing to
do our own thing rather than obeying the will of God. Sin is a lifelong problem --even
for the Christian, see I John 1:8. The Apostle John recognizes the fact that although we
are Christians, there continues to be a war going on inside us. Romans 7:18-25. There
is a part of us, the new life imparted at conversion, which desires to do God’s will; and
there is also the principle of sin which pulls us toward disobedience to God. The
Christian life is a growth experience. John is dealing with this truth. Growing may
involve failure as well as success, but that which we nurture grows in strength. Every
time we give in to the principle of sin and disobey God, it becomes easier to disobey the
next time.
B. When we do sin, we have the assurance that God has provided for our forgiveness.
I John 1:9. If we sin, and we will, we can be forgiven. The pattern is given to us.
There are three key words: Confession, Forgiveness and Cleansing. To confess our sins
is not only to feel sorrow for the act, but also to turn from, to cease doing, what we know
to be sin. When we confess our sin, God keeps His word, and on the basis of Christ's
death, forgives our sins and cleanses us. This frees us from the possibility of guilt. Guilt
can no longer be placed on our doorstep. John goes on to speak of Christ's work as our
advocate before God. I John 2:1-2. "Advocate" means "one summoned alongside,"
especially in the sense of acting as a helper. We could compare this to the prosecuting
attorney. The fact that Jesus Christ is also the Righteous One speaks of His right to
defend us. On the basis of His death, burial and resurrection, we are forgiven and
cleansed. He offers His sacrifice to satisfy our guilt: Therefore, we walk away pardoned
-- completely cleansed, with all guilt removed from us.

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Lesson 3 (cont’d)

CONCLUSION:
If your guilt is from God, that is, the conviction of the Holy Spirit, confess your sin to
Him. By faith, accept God's forgiveness on the basis of I John 1:9. From this moment, refuse to
agree with the accuser, thus piling self-condemnation on your head. Replace those broodings of
guilt with promises of God's forgiveness, such as Isaiah 43:25.

Answer the following questions:

1. List the three basic reasons why we suffer guilt.

a.
b.
c.

COMMENT - Do you suffer guilt in any one of the three reasons listed or from all? If so
rejoice lesson 3 & 4 will give us the scriptural help to conquer guilt.

2. When is guilt a healthy emotion and why is it?

3. When we repent of sin and still have the emotion of guilt what did we fail to do?

4. Can our past cause guilt?

YES or NO

5. What happens every time we give in to the principle of sin and disobey God?

6. When we have forgiveness of sin, guilt is gone; but can you really believe God's
Word for forgiveness? That is, will God forgive you of every sin, every time you
sin, and every time you ask for forgiveness?

COMMENT - Can God lie? No. So by His Word you can be forgiven and say good-bye to
guilt based on God's Word.

7. List the three key words of assurance for forgiveness.

a.
b.
c.

8. What does the word “ADVOCATE” mean and who is our advocate?
a.
b.

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Lesson #3
Answer key
THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS EMOTIONS
DEALING WITH GUILT
Part One
1. a. Sin.
b. An inability to accept forgiveness.
c. Failure to conclude the past.

2. When we sin, for it can lead us to repentance.

3. To accept forgiveness.

4. Yes.

5. It becomes easier to disobey the next time.

6. Yes --- Absolutely every time.

7. a. Confession. b. Forgiveness. c. Cleansing.

8. a. " one summoned alongside."

b. Jesus.

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Lesson 4
THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS EMOTIONS
DEALING WITH GUILT
Part Two

INTRODUCTION:
We have already seen that guilt is the feeling that we have done something wrong that
must be made right. The three main causes of guilt are (1) Sin, (2) An inability to accept God’s
forgiveness and (3) Failure to conclude the past. We considered the first of these causes in our
last lesson. In this week’s lesson we will look at the second and third causes.

I. THE SECOND CAUSE OF GUILT IS AN INABILITY TO FORGIVE OURSELVES.

Before considering the reasons why we are unable to forgive, we need to be reminded of
God's total forgiveness. Read Psalms 103:10-12 and Isaiah 44:22. God wipes the slate
completely clean. The only record of our sin is in our memory or some other person's memory.
If God totally forgives us, and removes our sins from us, why do we find it so hard to forgive
ourselves? Consider some of the reasons why we are unable to accept forgiveness:

A. Our own pride. Pride makes us unwilling to accept our own humanity; the fact that
we could be capable of such a deed. We sometimes say, "It is so unlike me to act
that way." Our actions reveal exactly what we are. True repentance must see our
act for what it is ---- SIN. Pride keeps us from "owning up" to the full extent of
our guilt. If I am to know forgiveness, I must “come clean” and face up to my act
with all its ramifications, including my responsibility to right the wrong if
possible. Pride makes us want to "add something" to God's grace; to feel that His
forgiveness is too easy, that if we do some type of "penance" then we will
become an acceptable candidate for forgiveness. When we really look at this, we
see it as arrogance which supposes that anything we might do could possibly add
to Christ's substitutionary work.
B. We continue to brood about our sin, and to talk to others about it. What God has
placed “under the blood of Jesus”, we keep digging up and going over. We must
mentally accept God's promises as true and by an act of the will decide to accept
His forgiveness rather than indulging in brooding which becomes self-pity.

If you have truly repented, give evidence of it by a change of behavior today and in the
future. See John 8:11. When the Apostle Paul spoke of the past he did not spend time trying to
untangle the problems. His emphasis was on the present and the hereafter. His instruction to the
Christians at Ephesus is typical. Ephesians 4:28.

II. LEARN TO CONCLUDE THE PAST.

A. Get rid of that which pertains to your past life of sin. Acts 19:18-20.
B. Restitution should be made where possible. Luke 19:8.

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Lesson 4 (cont’d)

It is clear from the experience of Zacchaeus that we must not only confess whatever
wrong has been committed, but try to make it right. Whether or not we will ever be able to
reimburse or rectify the damage which has been done is another thing. This is where we must
lean heavily on the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the wise counsel of mature Christians.

C. Become a present/future oriented person. Philippians 3:13. Paul had a devastating

past in many ways. He was responsible for the slaughter of many Christians.
How could he forget? He had learned to fully accept God's forgiveness, based
not on his own merits, but completely on the blood of Jesus Christ. The glory of
that truth gave him peace and made him a power for God. He concentrated his
efforts on what he could do today, on the work that Christ was doing in his life
now, and the prize that was set before him -- his future with Christ in the
hereafter.

CONCLUSION:
Guilt can either be a healthy emotion that leads us to repentance, or it can be a millstone
around our neck that robs us of joy and inner peace. Learn to accept God's forgiveness, or write
“finished” on the past, and to become a present/future oriented person.

Answer the following questions:

1. What is the first step we are to do to forgive ourselves and to rid ourselves from guilt?

2. Why did God say in Psalms 103:12 that He has removed our sins as far as the East is
from the West and not from the North as far from the South?

3. List two reasons why we are unable to accept God's forgiveness.

a. b.
4. Find and list the three results of pride.
a. b. c.
5. If you truly have repented what will be the results?

6. Please list the three ways we can conclude the past.

a. b. c.
7. Which of the three in concluding the past would be the hardest for you to do? List in
order.
a. b. c.

8. Guilt is like what kind of a stone around our necks and what is its results?
a. b.

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Lesson #4
Answer Key
THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS EMOTIONS
DEALING WITH GUILT
Part Two

1. Remind ourselves of Sod's total forgiveness of our sins.

2. East and West never meet and North and South do.

3. a. Pride.
b. We continue to brood about our sin and tell others about it.

4. a. Makes us unwilling to accept our own humanity.

b. Keeps us from "owning up" to the full extent of our guilt.
c. Makes us want to “add something” to God's grace.

5. There will be evidence of it by a change of behavior today and in the future.

6. a. Get rid of that which pertains to your past life of sin.

b. Make restitution.
c. Become a present/future person.

7. Your own words --- each will differ.

8. a. Millstone
b. It will rob us of joy, inner peace and our health.

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Lesson 5
THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS EMOTIONS
DEALING WITH FRUSTRATION

INTRODUCTION:
Frustration comes when we are thwarted in our plans to carry out some objective. Today
we want to examine the causes behind the frustrations of life and learn the Scriptural pattern for
dealing with frustration.

I. THE PROBLEM.
Luke gives us a classic example as to how frustration can effect our relationship with
others. Luke 10:38-42.
We can sympathize with Martha because we too feel pressured at times. The demands of
life push in on us until we become frustrated and even provoked to rudeness. For Martha to
want to put a good meal on the table for her guest was not wrong. To become so consumed in
having that meal exactly right in every detail, to the point that she neglected her guest, was
wrong and produced frustration.
There are three lessons we can learn from this incident as recorded in Luke 10. Jesus
understands how we feel. He felt the frustration of Martha, but He used the situation to teach
her, and us, some vital lessons.

A. We must not major on minors. Martha was "cumbered about much serving." Jesus
rebuked her for being worried and upset about many things. If our Lord were in
our midst he would say, "You have complicated your lives. You have allowed
pressures, some of which are of your own making, to put your life out of
balance. You are majoring on minors, concentrating on the incidentals. It is not
that what you are doing is necessarily wrong, but the good is crowding out the
best that I have for you."

B. We must not be provoked by people. The more Martha thought about Mary’s
neglect of her household duties, the more frustrated she became. The truth is,
Mary chose "the good part," while Martha settled for second best.

C. We must not have unworthy ambitions. We can also be caught up in a shallow

philosophy of trading true greatness for worldly acclaim. We have an inherent
desire to achieve, to accomplish something worthwhile in our lives. If we are
frustrated, perhaps it is because we are measuring our self-worth by man’s
approval and not God’s.

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Lesson 5 (cont’d)

II. THE SCRIPTURAL PATTERN FOR DEALING WITH FRUSTRATION.

A. Get your life into balance. No one had more to do in less time than our Lord, nor
has anyone ever felt greater pressure from the forces of darkness. Jesus gave the
key to His inner tranquility in John 4:4.

Jesus did all that God sent Him to do, and He accomplished all that God intended for
Him to do. On the cross He could cry out, “It is finished” John 19:30. The lesson for us in this:
We can do all that God requires us to do. See II Timothy 4:7.
If you are frustrated because of the pressure of “many things”, if you find yourself
anxious and worried, it is time to examine your priorities. Where does God want you to put the
emphasis? Is your life out of balance? Ask yourself, why am I doing these things? What is my
real motivation?

B. Do you let your possessions possess you. It is so easy to find ourselves living to
acquire, and then to find that we are in bondage paying for all those things. See
Hebrews 13:5-6. To truly put God first in our lives, is the only way to keep the
desire for things from possessing us. Matthew 6:33.
C. Measure your life by God's standard. The world puts the emphasis on
accomplishments. A person is considered important because of what he or she
does. The worth of a person is measured by his achievements, by his success in
business, by the car he drives or the house he lives in, and by the honors and
prestige he has won. God measures us by what we are and what we are
becoming. His desire for you and me is that we should be “conformed to the
image of His Son”. Romans 12:2.

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Lesson 5 (cont’d)

CONCLUSION:
We must subordinate our plans and our dreams to our Heavenly Father. If we have a
goal that is His goal for us, and His goal becomes our goal, then we know we are moving in His
direction. He gives us an inner tranquility and peace so that the pressures do not result in
frustration. This doesn't rob us of ambition, initiative or excitement for living. It simply
means that we do what God wants us to do and we do it for His glory.

Answer the following questions:

1. Have you ever had to deal with frustration? List one incident, discuss it with your
family on Saturday night. Have fun with it.

2. Why did Martha experience frustration even while doing right?

3. List the three lessons Jesus wants us to learn from Martha's experience.
a. b. c.

4. Martha majored in the minor thing that caused her to get frustrated at a person, who
was that person and why?
a. b.

5. Our selfworth should be measured by who's approval?

6. When is it time to examine your priorities?

7. What is the true way to keep our possessions from possessing us?

8. Measuring your life by God's standard is one way to deal with frustration, can you list
at least two more ways?
a. b.

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Lesson #5
Answer Key
THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS EMOTIONS
DEALING WITH FRUSTRATION

1. Have fun with this answer.

2. She neglected her guest buy being consumed in having the meal just right.

3. a. We must not major on minors.

b. We must not be provoked by people.
c. We must not have unworthy ambitions.

4. a. Mary, her sister.

b. Mary wasn't helping and seemed not to be concerned about the meal being just right
like Martha did.

5. God’s.
Comment: God accepts us as we are. In success or in failure He accepts and loves us
the same. So seek God's approval and you will not suffer frustration.

6. When you find yourself anxious and worried by the pressure of “many things”.

7. Putting God first.

8. a. Get your life into balance.

b. Do not let your possessions possess you.

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Lesson 6
THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS EMOTIONS
DEALING WITH DEPRESSION

INTRODUCTION:
Most of us have had some experience with depression. The Bible calls it a “spirit of
despair”. The prophet Isaiah, speaking of the Messiah to come, told of how He would console
those who were experiencing "the spirit of heaviness," see Isaiah 61:1-3. The promise is that
God will renew the inner man so that our countenance can express joy instead of despair or
depression. When we review various Scriptures concerning despair, we find that depression
has common elements: inner weariness, a sense of being weighed down, anguish of heart and
gloom. See Psalms 69:20; 119:28; 42:5 and Proverbs 12:25.

I. THE MAJOR CAUSES OF DEPRESSION.

While in a general sense, we can say that depression comes from the enemy, depression
cannot gain Control over us without our co-operation.
A. The direct causes:
1- Physical. When we are worn out physically, our perspective often becomes
warped. Things appear worse than they are.
2- Emotional. Some of us are more given to depression because of our basic
temperament. Others go from high heights to low lows.
3- Problems. See I Peter 1:6. We suffer depression because of trials which come
to us, situations which cause our hearts to be heavy.
B. The indirect causes. (These deal with our reactions to problems which come.):
1. Unbelief or failure to exercise our faith in God, to affirm the confidence and
trust we have in Him.
2. Self-pity or the feeling that we are somehow being mistreated.

We need to be reminded that depression is progressive. It begins with a suggestion to

our mind or a “feeling” that all is not well, a down mood. When we entertain this suggestion
and brood upon it, our depression deepens. Finally, a dark cloud settles over us. We have
nourished our self-pity and we slide into despair. The longer this goes on, the deeper our
depression.

II. THE FIVE BIBLICAL STEPS TO OVERCOMING DEPRESSION.

A- Recognize God is with you. You may not feel God's presence, but on the basis of
His
word, you can declare that HE IS. See Hebrews 13:5. When we begin to hope
in God and praise Him, our problems become much less significant. See Psalms
42:5.

B. Ask God to help you identify the cause of your depression. Is it physical? If so, a
good night’s rest and food may be the best answer. It is sometimes
true that things do look entirely different in the morning. Is the problem
emotional? Are you giving into your natural tendency? See Colossians 3:15.

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Lesson 6 (cont’d)

C. Surrender to God's working in your life. This is perhaps the most difficult to do.
We have a tendency to brood, to feel sorry for ourselves when things go wrong.
We think we know what is best for us and may even resent God for allowing
some things to happen to us. Surrender begins by acknowledging that God is
Sovereign and knows what is best for us. He only allows that which will help us
to become what He wants us to be. Romans 8:28.
D. Learn to tap the energy of God. The Psalmist says we are to be “like a tree planted
by
the rivers of water”, refer to Psalms 1:3. This means that just as the tree receives
strength from the water as its roots go down deep, we can tap into God's energy
by the time spent in prayer, reading the Word, and fellowshipping with believers.
E. Reach out to someone in need. This may only be a smile of encouragement or an
appreciative word at first, but do something. Every time you turn outward, to
reach out to someone else who is hurting, you weaken the hold of depression in
your life.
CONCLUSION:
Depression is very much an emotional mood and grows or weakens according to what we
feed our minds. Take a few moments to consider what you have been feeding your inner man
this week. Are you WORD deficient? Are you reading the Word? Have you nourished that
inner spirit by fellowship with other believers? What about your spare time? What kind of
books, magazines, TV programs are you filling your time with? Is God truly your Heavenly
Father? Is Jesus Christ your personal Savior?
Answer the following questions:
1. What does Isaiah call depression?

2. What are some of the common elements of depression ?

3. Can depression gain control in our lives without our co-operation?

4. List two major causes of depression?

a. b.
5. There are five reasons for depression listed under "direct and indirect" causes of
depression, list which one effects you the most. Discuss it at your family meeting.

6. Why is it good to recognize that God is with you when you are depressed?

7. Which of the five steps to overcome depression is the most difficult to do? Tell why
it is in your opinion.

8. List the five Biblical steps to overcome depression, then answer the last question at
the end of the lesson.
a. b. c. d. e.

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Lesson #6
Answer Key
THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS EMOTIONS
DEALING WITH DEPRESSION

1. The spirit of heaviness.

2. Inner weariness, a sense of being weighed down, anguish of heart and gloom.

3. No.

4. a. Direct.
b. Indirect.

5. List it and discuss it on family night.

6. Problems become much less significant when we know that God will not forsake nor leave
us.

7. a. “C” Surrender to God's working in your life.

b. Because it is easier to trust in our strength and knowledge than in God whom we have
not seen.

8. a. Recognize God is with you.

b. Ask God to help you identify the cause of your depression.
c. Surrender to God's working in your life.
d. Learn to tap the energy of God.
e. Reach out to someone in need.

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Lesson 7
THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS EMOTIONS
DEALING WITH JEALOUSY

INTRODUCTION:
The emotion called jealousy has a great crippling effect upon those who allow it to
control them. Proverbs 27:4. It was the spirit of jealousy that caused Cain to kill Abel,
Joseph's brothers to sell him as a slave, and the religious community to crucify our Lord. It is
the sin that often pits one person against another, husband against wife, wife against husband,
nation against nation. Jealousy is the grief we experience because of the superiority (real or
imagined) of others. It is that emotion that rises up within us against our equal when his success
exceeds ours. You would not be jealous of an architect if you were a salesman. It takes an
architect to be jealous of another architect. If the powerful force of jealousy is allowed to grip
our lives, it will have a great crippling effect. The more jealous we become the less emotional
energy there is left to be directed toward becoming the person God wants us to be. The poison
of jealousy also shuts us off from true fellowship with others and produces a judgmental and
critical attitude.

I. THE MAJOR CAUSES OF JEALOUSY.

A. Jealousy develops basically because of our lack of self-esteem. We fail to think of
ourselves as God would have us to think. As a result, when another succeeds, all
we can see is our lack.

B. Jealousy creeps in because though we are equal before God, we are unequals when it
comes to ability. We cannot all do the same things or experience and enjoy
everything that everybody else does. When we think we can, or that we have the
right to, and we find that we cannot, frustration develops. This is the breeding
ground for jealousy.

II. THE WAY TO DEAL WITH JEALOUSY.

A. Are you living in an intimate relationship with God, or do you have only a casual
acquaintance with Him? It is so important not only to have our souls saved, but
also to have our emotions, our minds, and our wills brought under the control of
the Holy Spirit. The more we know God, the deeper our relationship to Him,
the greater our feeling of self-worth and self acceptance is. There is a big
difference between having an intimate, close relationship with God and only a
casual one. When we know God intimately, we have a firsthand depth of
knowledge about Him. This knowledge comes through reading the Word and
meditating upon the things of God. II Timothy 3:15-17.

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Lesson 7 (cont’d)

B. Are you willing to be the person God wants you to be? Do you remember the
incident recorded in John 21? It had to be one of the most dramatic moments in
Simon Peter's life. Refer to John 21:15-22. Jesus told Peter He would one day
die by crucifixion. This was a shock to the young man. Peter turned around and
saw John walking behind them and he asked, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus
responded that this was not for him to know. His chief concern should have been
to follow the Lord, and be the person God wanted HIM to be.

If we are to ever destroy jealousy, we will have to be willing to be the man or woman
God wants us to be. Our Lord made it clear that it is not our prerogative to question why God
chooses to deal differently with Christians. What God desires is our willingness to allow Him to
work out His will according to His wisdom and plan.

C. Are you willing to reach out to the one who seems to be prospering or succeeding
more than you are? Remember the story of Jonathan and David? Jonathan was
the son of King Saul and heir to his throne. When God rejected Saul and chose
David to reign in his stead, this also meant that Jonathan was rejected. As might
be expected Saul did not humbly step aside and make David king. David had to
flee for his life. During these difficult days we see the tremendous love Jonathan
had for David and his acceptance of the will of God. See I Samuel 23:16-18.

Do you see the secret to overcoming jealousy wrapped up in this story? Jonathan
responded in love to the one near him who had been chosen to fill the place he normally would
have had. We too must learn to reach out to help the person of whom we are jealous.

CONCLUSION:
Jealousy, like anger, may be a healthy emotion if kept under control. See II Corinthians
11:2 and Exodus 34:14. On the other hand, if it goes unchecked it can destroy relationships and
hinder our fellowship with other believers. We must learn to trust in the wisdom of God who
made us as we are, and then do the best we can with what talents God has entrusted to us.

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Lesson 7 (cont’d)

Answer the following questions:

1. The poison of jealousy does at least two things to us. Name them.
a.
b.

2. What is the basic cause of jealousy?

3. Is everybody equal when it comes to ability?

YES or NO

4. Who is to control our emotions, minds, and will?

5. Why is it so important to have a deep intimate relationship with God?

6. When we know God intimately, we have a firsthand depth of knowledge about Him.
How do we get this knowledge?

7. Are you willing to be the person God wants you to be? If so how can you accomplish
this?

8. What did Jonathan do to David that we should do also to keep jealousy under control?

9. CONCLUSION: In a nutshell, what two things can we do to help us keep Jealousy

under control?
a.
b.

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Lesson #7
Answer Key
THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS EMOTIONS
DEALING WITH JEALOUSY

1. a. Shuts us off from true fellowship with others.

b. Produces a judgmental and critical attitude.

2. Our lack of self-esteem.

3. No.

4. Holy Ghost.

5. That we would have the feeling of self-worth and acceptance.

NOTE: Parents be sure to talk to your children about self-worth and acceptance
comes from their relationship with God.

6. Through reading the Word and meditating upon the things of God.

7. Yes. By following the Lord and be willing to be the person the Lord wants me to be.

8. He responded in love to help David.

9. a. We must learn to trust in the wisdom of God who made us as we are.

b. Then do the best we can with what talents God has entrusted to us.

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Lesson 8
THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS EMOTIONS
DEALING WITH ANGER

I. THE MEANING AND SOURCES OF ANGER.

The emotion of anger is not in itself sinful. A person who never feels anger of any kind
would have to be so passive as to be almost totally uninvolved with life. Anger is that
emotional or physical excitement that is aroused within us by particular situations or happenings.
It has been described as “strong displeasure or bad temper”.
Anger is, in fact, a part of love. We cannot truly love without reacting in anger when the
object of our affection is gravely misused or hurt. Anger which is a part of love is righteous
anger. It is anger at sin, oppression and injustice. Anger which is a part of self-love reacts to
that which is considered personal injustice, a response to personal offense.
The reason for our anger quickly indicates whether it is the result of love, or self-love.
Anger is an inner response. No one, in fact, can “make us get angry”. Their reactions simply
bring forth what is already within us. See Matthew 15-11, 18-19.
More often than not, we will find the root of our anger within ourselves. We may not
always be able to analyze why a particular person always brings forth an angry response from
us. They may not live up to our expectations, or we misinterpret their intentions.

II. A BRIEF LOOK AT ANGER IN THE BIBLE.

A. The "wrath of God." God's anger is mentioned often, especially in the Old
Testament. Notice that God's anger is directed at sin and He is slow to anger.
Refer to Jeremiah 32:30-32 and Psalms 103:8.

B. The Anger of Jesus Christ. In Mark 3 is the story of Jesus healing the man with the
shriveled hand in the synagogue on the Sabbath. There were those in the crowd
who were watching the interaction between Jesus and the man, waiting to see if
the Lord would heal on the Sabbath. They were looking for a reason to accuse
Him. Notice the reaction of Jesus in Mark 3:4-5.

What caused Jesus to become angry? It was the hardness of their hearts. Jesus did not
respond in anger to offenses against His personal self. In fact, we are counseled to think often of
the way He patiently endured the grievous opposition of His enemies. See Hebrews 12:3.

C. The Followers of Christ and Anger. As followers of our Lord, we should respond in
righteous anger to sin. Our problem today is rather one of apathy or tolerance
toward sin. Sin, oppression and injustice should provoke action on our part to see
the situation corrected. Paul instructs us to put off the old self and to be made
new in the attitude of our mind; and to put on the new self, created to be like
God in true righteousness. See Ephesians 4:20-27. James also instructs us in
a similar manner. James 1:19-20.

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Lesson 8 (cont’d)

These Scriptures teach us that anger is not in and of itself sin. The sin occurs in our
reaction. Anger should be dealt with immediately. If allowed to remain a part of us, anger will
be like a banked fire within, eventually consuming us.

III. HOW TO COPE WITH ANGER.

A. We cannot wish it away by will power alone. The will is involved in that we must
decide not to surrender to our feelings of anger. However, trying to ignore anger
simply sends it "underground."
B. We cannot “let it all hang out”, saying whatever comes into our head. We do, at
times need to confront the situation, but only when we are able to do so calmly in
order that true healing may come. In general, an outburst in anger will not solve
the problem.
C. We can neutralize anger by allowing the love of God, which He has promised to pour
into our hearts to be brought to bear on the situation. See Romans 5:5.

CONCLUSION:
Is there anger within which is causing defeat in your life? Is it worth what it is costing
you? Ask God to help you see the inner cause for your anger. Begin now to lean on the power
of the Holy Spirit to gain victory over your anger.

Answer the following questions:

1. Is anger in itself sinful?
YES or NO

2. There are two types of anger, list them. a. b.

3. What is the difference between love anger and self-love anger?

a. b.

4. What is God's anger directed toward?

5. Why did Jesus get angry?

6. What kind of anger did Christ have that we too should have? What is this anger directed at?
a. b.

7. List at least three ways NOT to cope with anger.

a. b. c.

8. List at least two ways TO cope with anger.

a. b.

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Lesson #8
Answer Key
THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS EMOTIONS
DEALING WITH ANGER

1. No.

2. a. Love, righteous anger.

b. Self-love, personal anger.

3. a. Love anger is righteous anger against sin, oppression and injustice.

b. Self-love is personal anger caused by personal injustice and offenses.

4. Sin.

5. Because of the hardness of their hearts of unbelief.

6. a. Righteous “love” anger.

b. Sin.

7. a. We cannot wish it away by will power.

b. Not to ignore it.
c. We cannot "let it all hang out" saying whatever comes into our mind. No outburst of
anger.

8. a. By allowing the love of God to pour into our hearts.

b. By leaning on the power of the Holy Spirit to gain victory over our anger.

214