GOODMORNING RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

TUESDAY, 28TH JUNE, 2016.

CUT OUT ALL EVIL.

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you (Ephesians 4:31-32).


In Deuteronomy 10:16, the Bible tells us to circumcise our hearts: “Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.” What does this mean? To circumcise means to “cut out” something. To circumcise your heart would therefore mean to cut out from your heart those things that aren’t supposed to be there: bitterness, anger, envy, hatred, malice, and all forms of wickedness. Some people unwittingly allow these things in their hearts because they’re ignorant of the consequences.

A bitter heart, for instance, is a breeding ground for demonic activity. Not only that, most cancers come from anger and bitterness. Proverbs 14:30 says, “A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones” (NLT). People only become aware of cancer when it starts giving pain and discomfort; they don’t know it most likely started years before, when they allowed bitterness, anger, hatred, malice, and envy to persist in their lives. That’s why the Bible says, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled” (Hebrews 12:14-15).

There’re people who have been wounded to the point of tears, and with bitterness in their hearts, acted in a wrathful way. The Lord says to you today, “Circumcise your heart!” Cut out the bitterness and the anger from your heart, for your own good.
Have you been trying to stop the anger, or trying to put away bitterness without success? You don’t have to struggle. All you have to do is proclaim the Lordship of Jesus Christ over your life: over your spirit, soul and body. Then declare, “I choose to serve the Lord; I reject hatred, bitterness and anger. I’m going to walk in love.” No demon of darkness can stand against that. Satan can’t resist the power of love. The Word declares, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear...” (1 John 4:18).

PRAYER
Dear Father, my heart is full of your love, kindness, and compassion. I refuse to allow bitterness, anger, or strife to take root in me. I walk in love today and always, confident that no weapon fashioned against me shall prosper, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
1 Corinthians 13:3 CEV
Mark 11:25-26
James 3:15-17

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Acts 13:13-52, Nehemiah 9-10

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
2 Corinthians 10:1-7, Isaiah 17