Preface:              In glancing over my own list of doctrines, I see that one area which is sorely under-represented is the area of sin. Hopefully, this doctrine will help to at least slightly correct that deficiency.

Very little of this doctrine is originally produced. The bulk of it came from posted notes from the internet from R. B. Thieme, Jr.’s teaching. Credit also to Robby Dean, L. G. Merritt, and several others, all noted in the Bibliography.

Introduction:      Recently it has been announced, not as a survey but as an official statistic, that one out of every six people has mental problems. Many believers have mental problems because they have rejected the plan of God and are controlled by what they observe in the cosmic system [world viewpoint]. Mental attitude sins hinder the believer from taking advantage of the equal privilege and equal opportunity that God has given to execute the spiritual life. Mental attitude is so important because that is where proper motivation is developed.

1.      Definition and description

         1)      Most of the believer's sinning takes place in the mental attitude. These mental attitude sins include arrogance, pride, jealousy, implacability, bitterness, vindictiveness, inordinate ambition and inordinate competition, all motivational sins, and sinful thoughts such as fear, guilt, worry, anger, judging, and hatred.

         2)      The Hebrew verb shâgaʿ (שָגַע) [pronounced shaw-GAHĢ] means to be insane, to be psychotic. Strong's #7696 BDB #993. As Deuteronomy 28:34 says to those believers who are negative, And you shall be driven mad by the sight of what you see. The Hebrew noun shiggâʿôwn (שִגָּעוֹן) [pronounced shig-gaw-ĢYONE], which refers to a deceived mental attitude, was originally used by Moses to describe the Exodus generation. Shiggâʿôwn (שִגָּעוֹן) [pronounced shig-gaw-ĢYONE] took over the lives of these Jewish believers, the psychotic generation. Deuteronomy 28:28 uses shiggâʿôwn (שִגָּעוֹן) [pronounced shig-gaw-ĢYONE] when it says to those believers who are negative toward doctrine: The Lord will afflict you with [shiggâʿôwn] madness and with blindness [blackout of the soul] and with confusion of heart [split personality]. The noun and verb are used to describe what happened to Israel when they went negative to doctrine. The inside pressure of stress in the soul combined with the functions of the sin nature to destroy the spiritual life of these believers in the face of the greatest Bible teaching ever to exist in the Old Testament. Moses observed this and warned future generations of Israel.

         3)      Mental attitude sins toward oneself: arrogance, pride, guilt, self-pity.

         4)      Mental attitude sins toward others/involving others: implacability, bitterness, vindictiveness, jealousy, envy, inordinate ambition/inordinate competition, anger, judging, hatred, sexual lust.

         5)      Mental attitude sins toward situations: stress, fear, worry.

         6)      Mental attitude sins toward things: envy.

         7)      All sins are ultimately against God.

                  (1)     Guilt, for instance, is lacking the faith that God has fully and completely forgiven a sin or sins that you have committed.

                  (2)     Self-pity means that you have doubts about God’s hand in your life.

                  (3)     Sinfully judging someone means that you think that you can do a better job than God when it comes to evaluating the lift of another believer or unbeliever.

                  (4)     Stress, fear or worry means that you don’t believe that God is fully in control; you don’t believe that God has made provision for your life.

                  (5)     Envy means that you don’t think that God has reasonably provided for you.

2.      A list of some mental attitude sins:

         1)      Arrogance

         2)      Pride

         3)      Guilt

         4)      Self-pity

         5)      Implacability

         6)      Bitterness

         7)      Vindictiveness

         8)      Jealousy

         9)      Inordinate Ambition/Inordinate Competition

         10)    Anger

         11)    Judging

         12)    Hatred

         13)    Stress

         14)    Fear

         15)    Worry

Arrogance graphic from Rev. Brad Smith, accessed July 18, 2014.

Mohammed Ali from Cardus.CA, accessed July 18, 2014.

3.      Arrogance

         1)      Arrogance is the antithesis of grace, arrogance is total blindness to the grace of God. It is synonymous with vanity, which is empty pride in regard to one's person, attainments, or possessions coupled with an excessive desire to be noticed, a lust for attention, lust for approval or praise from others.

         2)      Arrogance deceives its victim. Jeremiah 49:16 As for the terror of you, the arrogance of your heart has deceived you. Arrogance brings dishonor in your life. Proverbs 11:2 When arrogance comes, then comes dishonor. Arrogance causes self-destruction. Proverbs 16:18 Arrogance precedes destruction, and before a fall there is a lifestyle of arrogance.

         3)      The arrogance of a nations brings the people under divine discipline. Lev 26:19 And I will break down the pride of your power. And I will make your sky like iron, and your land like bronze. Isa. 9:8-9 The Lord sends a message against Jacob and it falls on Israel. And all the people know it, that is, Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, who spoke with pride and pride of heart. The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with smooth stones. Ezek. 7:10 Behold, the day is coming. Your doom has gone forth. The rod of discipline has budded because pride has blossomed.

         4)      The arrogant person rejects authority.

         5)      Arrogance is always related to the rejection of the Word of God. 1Tim. 6:3-4 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not concur with sound doctrine, those doctrines of our Lord Jesus Christ, even doctrines pertaining to godliness [spirituality], he has become arrogant, understanding nothing. Furthermore, he has morbid obsessions about controversies and verbal conflicts from which originate jealousy, discord, evil speculation.

         6)      The Doctrine of Arrogance from Bible Doctrine Resources.

4.      Pride

         1)      Pride is a lofty self-respect totally apart from reality. It is high esteem of oneself from some imagined or real superiority.

         2)      Pride is synonymous with vanity, which is empty pride in regard to one’s person, attainments, or possessions, coupled with an excessive desire to be noticed, to be recognized, to receive approval or praise from others.

         3)      Pride is the antithesis of grace. The believer who is arrogant is totally blind to the grace of God.

         4)      Pride involves inordinate self-esteem, conceit and a pre-occupation with self, as well as a rejection of authority. Arrogance, pride, and conceit are the original sins of the greatest genius creature of all time. We call him Satan or the devil but his original name was Lucifer, son of the morning. Hêylêl (הֵילֵל) [pronounced hay-LAYL], means shining one; morning star; Lucifer. Strong’s #1966 BDB #237. He was the first creature to enter into this sin of pride, motivating him to rebel against God. Pride is the original sin found in the fallen angels in the pre-historic angelic conflict and pride motivated the fallen angels to rebel as well. Pride motivated the woman in the garden to sin.

         5)      Pride supports a whole array of sins, such as jealousy, bitterness, vindictiveness, implacability, revenge motivation, revenge tactics, self-pity, conceit, inordinate ambition and competition, slander, gossip, and maligning.

         6)      Pride is a mental attitude sin which overflows into the motivation, decision making and activity of the individual. Pride includes several different concepts.

         7)      Related concepts:

                  (1)     Egotism. This is an excessive preoccupation with self and must be distinguished from ego, which is self-consciousness and is perfectly normal.

                  (2)     Vanity. This is self-admiration and an excessive desire to be admired by others. Hence, vanity is easily flattered and patronized.

                  (3)     Conceit. This is exaggerated estimate of one's abilities and attainments.

         8)      Scriptures Related to the Sin of Pride:

                  (1)     Prov. 11:2 When pride comes, then come dishonor.

                  (2)     Proverbs 8:13 The respect for the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way, and the perverted mouth, I hate.

                  (3)     Proverbs 16:5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; assuredly, he will not be unpunished.

                  (4)     Prov. 16:18 Pride precedes destruction, and before a fall there is a lifestyle of pride.

                  (5)     Prov. 23:29 A person's pride will bring him low, but a lifestyle of humility will attain honor.

                  (6)     Rom 12:3 For I say through the grace which has been given to me to everyone who is among you, stop thinking of self in terms of pride beyond what you ought to think, but think in terms of sanity for the purpose of being rational without illusion as God has assigned to each one of us a standard of thinking from doctrine.

         9)      Pride is defined in terms of the sin of jealousy:

                  (1)     James 3:14-16 But if you have bitter jealousy and inordinate ambition in your right lobe, stop being arrogant, and stop lying against the truth [Bible doctrine]. This pseudo wisdom is not that which comes from above, but is earthly, natural, and demonic. For where jealousy and inordinate ambition exist there is disorder and every evil deed.

                  (2)     Prov. 13:10 Through pride comes strife, but wisdom is with those who receive instruction.

                  (3)     1Peter 5:5 Likewise you younger men be subject to the elder [pastor], and all of you cloth yourselves with humility toward one another. `For God makes war against the arrogant, but He gives grace to the humble.' Therefore, humble yourselves under the powerful hand of God, that He may promote you at the proper time.

         10)    The Effects of Pride:

                  (1)     Pride distracts the believer from doctrine. Pride divorces the believer from reality, both personal and historical. Pride is the corruptor of the soul and the sign that the sin nature is dominating the soul.

                  (2)     Pride destroys capacity for life, love, and happiness.

                  (3)     Pride motivates emotional sins, such as: fear, worry, anxiety, hatred, anger, violence, murder, guilt and guilt complex, self-pity.

                  (4)     Pride reproduces itself in jealousy, bitterness, vindictiveness, implacability, revenge motivation and function, inordinate ambition and competition, gossip, slander, maligning, and judging.

                  (5)     Pride transformed into self-righteousness produces legalism.

         11)    The Solution to Pride:

                  (1)     Occupation with Christ is the ultimate problem solving device regarding pride. [Refer to the notes on Occupation with Christ}

                  (2)     Prov. 8:11a The respect for the Lord is to hate evil, to hate pride and pride and the evil way.

Guilt graphic from God Talk Vermont, accessed July 18, 2014.

5.      Guilt

         1)      Guilt can be a devastating thing if it's not handled properly. Satan accuses God's people to try to make them feel guilty so that they hide from God and separate themselves from Him. Revelation 12:10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.

         2)      One of the first sins committed by Adam and the woman after the fall was feeling a tremendous sense of guilt. Genesis 3:7-10 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?" He said, "I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself."

         3)      In the Christian life all have failed in some facet of life and must move on with the spiritual life through rebound (the naming of one’s sins to God). The believer cannot be distracted by past failures, except to learn from them, not to blame others for them. The spiritual life instructs the believer to forget the past and move toward the high ground of spiritual maturity. Past failures must never become present handicaps.

         4)      All believers must learn how to handle their past including that great villain called guilt. The essential element for living in freedom from guilt is understanding grace. If the believer does not realize that God's justice and righteousness are completely satisfied and that his relationship with Him is based upon the accomplishments of the cross, then guilt will torment him until it drives him from the presence of the Lord.

6.      Jealousy, Envy

         1)      Jealousy is a mental attitude or emotional sin which is characterized by resentment of another person’s accomplishments, recognition, attractiveness, or possessions, or by hostility towards someone else who is believed to be enjoying some advantage.

         2)      Often, in English, jealousy is related to people and relationships, people and accomplishments, people and approbation, people and attractiveness; envy is related to people and things.

         3)      Jealousy is a very serious mental attitude sin, causing a self-destructive mental attitude which involves a system of thinking from the cosmic system (the cosmic system is how the world thinks). Jealousy, which includes pride and arrogance, is the strongest of all the mental attitude sins and is the other side of the coin from pride.

         4)      A prideful attitude is the opposite of a grace attitude. A person who is filled with pride is blind to the grace of God. Pride makes a person think of himself with a lofty self-esteem that is far apart from reality, and has a source in some imagined or real superiority to others.

         5)      Jealousy, then, is the result of discontent with the blessings, successes, or possessions of other people, or of their attractiveness, or of the attention that they receive.

         6)      Jealousy also comes from the fear of losing another person’s friendship or love, a mood that is based on self-centeredness, that suspects that the other person’s love has been diverted to a rival.

         7)      Jealousy, then, brings about a frantic competition in love, business or professional life, social life, athletics, as well as in the religious life.

         8)      James 3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your right lobes, do not be arrogant and lie against the truth.

         9)      Jealousy is older than the human race, existing in eternity past when Lucifer, the son of the morning, became jealous of God. Jealousy surfaced in the human race when Cain became jealous of his brother, Abel. This motivated Cain to murder Abel.

         10)    Scripture describes jealousy as:

                  (1)     Cruel. Song of Solomon 8:6 Jealousy is as severe as Sheol; its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord.

                  (2)     Filled with anger and revenge. Proverbs 6:34 For jealousy enrages a man, and he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

                  (3)     Frustrating. Proverbs 27:34 A stone is heavy and the sand weighty, but the provocation of a fool is heavier than both of them. Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood, but who can stand before jealousy?

                  (4)     A form of human viewpoint wisdom in James 3:15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. We see that today in the propaganda of the 99% versus the 1%. This is seen as wise today by liberals to oppose the 1%.

                  (5)     Jealousy is always creating instability and disorder in the life of the believer. James 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist there is disorder and every evil thing.

                  (6)     Jealousy is self-destructive. Job 5:2 For anger slays the foolish man and jealousy kills the simple.

                  (7)     Jealousy will actually negatively impact your health. Proverbs 14:30 A tranquil heart is life to the body, but jealousy is rottenness to the bones.

         11)    Jealousy can be the result of false teaching. 1Tim. 6:3–4 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and disputes of words, from which come jealousy, strife, railings, evil suspicions.

         12)    Being jealous puts you in opposition with the truth and with wisdom. James 3:14,16 But if you have bitter jealousy and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth, This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual, demoniacal. For where jealousy and strife are, there is confusion and every evil work.

         13)    When a person is jealous, he is contentious, and he tries to build up self. To do this, he must lie against Bible truth.

         14)    Jealousy rejects sound Bible teaching. Acts 13:45 But when the Jews [in Antioch of Pisidia] saw the multitudes [listening to Paul and Barnabas], they were filled with jealousy, and spoke against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Acts 17:5 But when the Jews [of Thessalonica] who believed not, moved with jealousy, took unto them certain vile fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city in an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

         15)    Jealousy motivates religious people (this is understanding religion in the cosmic sense). Mark 15:9–10 But Pilate answered them, saying, Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for jealousy.

         16)    Joseph’s brothers were motivated by jealousy to sell him into slavery. From Stephen’s speech: Acts 7:9 “And the patriarchs, moved with jealousy, sold Joseph into Egypt, but God was with him.”

         17)    Jealousy is so strong that carrying a log across your shoulders while carrying a boulder under your arms is nothing compared to the burden of putting up with a fool as in Proverbs 27:3 A stone is heavy and the sand weighty, but the provocation of a fool is heavier than both of them. The "stone" in this passage is overt jealousy and anger; the "sand" is subtle jealousy. Proverbs 27:4 Wrath is fierce; and anger is a flood; but who can stand before jealousy. So great was the sin of jealousy in Israel that a special offering was made for it (Num. 5:11–31).

         18)    It is very difficult for the believer to get over jealousy. Jealousy invariably is a symptom of neurotic insecurity. However, with rebound and application of doctrine and resumption in the pre-designed plan of God, the believer can be immediately back on the road to recovery. Only the believer himself can allow another person to make him jealous.

         19)    Jealousy split the nation of Israel. Isa. 11:13 The jealousy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not be jealous of Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.

         20)    Special offerings were made for jealousy in Israel. Numbers 5:11-31

         21)    Jealousy destroys a persons capacity for personal love for a member of the opposite sex. Song 8:6 Set me a seal on your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, jealousy is cruel as the grave (Sheol); its coals are coals of fire, with a terrible flame.

         22)    Jealousy is self-destructive. Job 5:2 “For wrath kills the foolish man, and jealousy slays the silly one.” Prov. 14:30 A sound heart is life to the body; but jealousy is rottenness to the bones.

         23)    Jealousy is the trigger for false motivation and discord. Phil. 1:15-17 Some, indeed preach Christ even of jealousy and strife; and some also of good will; the one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds; but the other, of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel. Here we have human good, a right action produced from a wrong motivation, jealousy. Arrogance creates this false motivation and competition. Pettiness is closely related to jealousy.

         24)    Jealousy is a major function of self-righteousness and arrogance; therefore it is a major factor in Christian backsliding and degeneracy. Jealousy causes a Christian to develop a system of legalism or false spirituality, to set himself up as a role model for what Christianity should be, then to try to get others to accept their model of false self-identity.

         25)    While jealousy is part of the pride complex of sins, it generates its own suite of sinful reactions, including: bitterness, vindictiveness, implacability, ambition, competition, verbal sins, and revenge tactics.

         26)    Jealousy is a system of self-justification. You cannot solve your problems when you are trying to justify yourself.

         27)    The filling of the Holy Spirit cannot co-exist with jealousy; they are mutually exclusive. Therefore, jealousy keeps a person from glorifying Christ.

         28)    Jealousy is a discontent with the blessings of successes of other people, a resentment of other people for what they have received. Therefore, it is total selfishness and is incapable of love. Love and jealousy are mutually exclusive.

         29)    Jealousy is tyranny, in that it comes from an attitude of possessiveness of another person, and therefore stifles the other person’s volition. Jealousy destroys freedom because it intrudes upon privacy.

         30)    Closely related to envy is the mental attitude of entitlement, which is a sin that has found its way into American culture. Entitlement means that you look at something that someone else has, and you believe that you deserve the same thing or that they do not deserve that thing. In our culture, entitled people often want the government to equal such things out.

         31)    Occupation with Christ is the Solution to Jealousy. In fact, occupation with Christ is the ultimate problem solving device regarding pride and jealousy. Prov 8:11 The respect for the Lord is to hate evil, to hate pride and pride and the evil way. And I hate a perverted mouth. Daily attention to the techniques of the Christian Way of Life will give you a grace mental attitude that becomes more and more free of jealousy as you grow in Christ and in the knowledge of His Word.

7.      Envy of material things.

         1)      Wealth and possessions are very much a relative concept.

         2)      The Philistines ran Isaac off their land because he was too rich. However, nearly all of the poor and working poor could not imagine having a life as difficult as his life was.

         3)      Even though I listed envy in the introduction as being directed toward things; it is really determined by your attitude toward people who have more than you do (or, you perceive them as having more than you do).

         4)      Envy has been one of the cornerstones of the present-day Democratic party, who recently made a big deal of the 99% versus the 1% (the 1% being the very, very wealthy). Our current president has spoken of wealth-redistribution (spreading the wealth around); and the healthcare law which he oversaw the passage of both gives more power to an already bloated bureaucracy, and simultaneously, spreads the wealth around. Middle class and above pay higher premiums and deductibles; and the poor get healthcare which is slightly more affordable. However, all of this is based upon the concept of envy; expressed in the misleading platform, healthcare should be free.

         5)      Here is where the relativism enters in: if our nation was much poorer, and nearly no one could afford healthcare insurance, then this would not be an issue. However, since our society has gotten to a point where a sizeable majority of Americans have healthcare insurance, then it can be politically sold that everyone should have it, without exception. This is the first step in establishing single-payer healthcare, which is a euphemism for complete government-controlled healthcare.

         6)      So that there is no mistaking this for what Jesus did—nowhere in the Bible did God call upon believers to try to establish socialism. This comes from Russian propaganda out of the 1970's, which has been so successful, it is continued to this day. There were provisions in the Old Testament, under the economy of Israel, to provide for the poor; but the amount that the government spent each year from it’s treasury on the poor was roughly equal to an annual 3.3% tax put upon all families.

         7)      Other than that, those who privately owned farms were to leave some areas unharvested so that the poor could come in and harvest those areas for themselves.

         8)      Because this issue has become so entangled with liberal politics, it is recommended that you study Liberalism, Conservatism and Christianity (HTML) (PDF) (WPD).

Wayne Dyer graphic from Motivation Is Back, accessed July 18, 2014.

8.      Self-pity

Helen Keller graphic from Ability Magazine .com, accessed July 18, 2014.

9.      Implacability

         1)      Implacability is characterized by one who is impossible to please or satisfy. This takes root in the mental attitude of the soul where the person has no appreciation for life. Hell has an insatiable appetite, and lust just never quits. Proverbs 27:20 Death and hell are never satisfied, Nor are the eyes of an implacable person ever satisfied.

         2)      The growing believer's life should be overflowing with appreciation, especially appreciation for all that God has done for him. Many Christians yearn for more "things" yet do not appreciate what they already possess. They are so caught up in their destination that they forget to enjoy the journey; and, above all, do not have gratitude for the graciousness and the love of people that they meet along the way. It is futile for the believer to crave more things in life if he cannot enjoy and appreciate what he has in the present. It would be better to appreciate things that one cannot have than to have things that one is not able to appreciate. The apostle Paul says one of the signs of the last days is the fact that people would be ungrateful. 2Timothy 3:2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy.

         3)      Implacable people refuse to appreciate. Appreciation of life itself, becoming suddenly aware of the miracle of being alive, on this planet, can turn what we call ordinary life into a miracle.

Harry Emerson Fosdick graphic from izquotes.com accessed July 18, 2014.

10.    Bitterness

         1)      Introduction:

                  (1)     Bitterness is one of the most crushing mental problems in a person's life. When a Christian is bitter, there is a loss of close fellowship with the Lord and a hindrance in one's relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.. Bitterness causes a loss of many of the blessings of the normal Christian life, including emotional stability, peace, and joy. And bitterness results in the loss of production of good works (gold, silver, precious stones) which are a major source of blessing and reward in the plan of God.

                  (2)     Bitterness is a devastating mental attitude sin, and it triggers a wide range of other sins, such as: hatred, cruelty, antagonism, self-pity, unteachableness (implacability) Vindictiveness and desires for revenge, prideful ambition (arrogance).

                  (3)     Bitterness is neither consistent nor rational. A bitter person is his own worst enemy. It is very difficult to maintain any kind of relationship with a chronically bitter person; and bitterness is a major contributing cause of marital and family problems.

         2)      Definition:

                  (1)     In English, the concept of mental bitterness comes from the idea of something that has a sharp or unpleasant taste. We speak of something being bitter if it causes grief or is hard to bear; "a bitter defeat", "bitter failure". We also speak of a "bitter loss" when someone's death has caused great grief.

                  (2)     Then, bitterness has come to be used of those things that cause pain or grief, such as "bitter remarks" or the actions of "bitter enemies." We say "he fought to the bitter end", meaning a struggle in the last extremity.

                  (3)     The biblical Greek words for pikros = "bitter" and pikria = "bitterness", and other derivatives. Pikros originally meant "sharp", or "pointed". Then it was used more generally for anything that was penetrating to the senses, something that had a pervasive smell or a "shrill" noise. Pikra was used for the bitterness of the taste of some plants, and finally found use in speaking of personal experience when something was unpleasant, undesirable, or when something bad was unexpected.

                  (4)     The words pikros or pikria are used about 40 times in the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament), only rarely to refer to literal bitterness, such as the reference to "bitter" water in Exo. 15:23. Usually it is a reference to men who are (pikroi) "the bitter ones" when they are soured or cruel (Ruth 1:20; Hab. 1:6).

                  (5)     There are seven instances of these words in the New Testament: Matt. 26:75; Luke 22:62; Acts 8:23; Rom. 3:14; Eph. 4:31; James 3:11,14.

                  (6)     So, in the Bible, except when it is obvious that the actual taste of something in meant, pikria refers to intensity of suffering of mind and body, something that is difficult to bear, something that causes animosity and reaction, something that is brought about by hatred or antagonism.

         3)      Bible Examples of Bitterness:

                  (1)     Women are bitter because they cannot have children, 1 Sam 1:10.

                  (2)     A foolish son is bitterness to his mother, Prov. 17:25.

                  (3)     Divine discipline (chastisement) of the Jewish people caused bitterness. This demonstrates the weakness and failure of the people. Bitterness destroyed the people's spiritual lives. The Jews brought on self-destruction by their bitterness. Lam. 1:4; Amos 8:10; Ezek. 27:30; Isa. 33:7; 2 Kings 14:26.

                  (4)     Slavery causes bitterness, Exo. 1:14.3.

                  (5)     Suffering causes bitterness to people who do not understand problem solving devices, principles, and give number one priority to relationship with God. Deut. 32:24.

                  (6)     Ridicule is a source of bitterness, Lam 3:14. The people ridiculed Jeremiah because of their bitterness toward him. When truth is taught, people react in bitterness.

                  (7)     Consummate human pride is a cause of bitterness, Acts 8:23.

                  (8)     Degeneracy is a source of bitterness, Rom. 3:14.

                  (9)     Cosmic involvement is a source of bitterness, Eph 4:31.

                  (10)   Husbands and wives are a source of bitterness toward each other, Col 3:19.

         4)      The Results of Bitterness:

                  (1)     Bitterness is antisocial. A bitter person is selfish, inconsiderate of others, withdrawn from society, indifferent or adverse to conformity with conventional standards of social behavior. Even strangers avoid bitter people, Prov. 14:10. No one is happy around bitter people.

                  (2)     Bitterness is a sign of the fragmented life, Jer. 2:19.

                  (3)     A bitter person rejects Bible teaching. James 3:14, "But if you have bitter jealousy and strife, stop being arrogant and lying against the truth."

                  (4)     Bitterness shows total lack of grace orientation. A bitter person does not understand the Plan of God, let alone how it affects individuals. In Job. 9:17-18, Job's complaint against God. "Why does God let this happen to me", is a statement of bitterness.

                  (5)     Bitterness accompanies the sin unto death, Job. 21:25.

                  (6)     Bitterness motivates complaining, Job 7:11, 10:1. People who habitually complain are bitter people; they have no self esteem.

                  (7)     Bitterness motivates gossip, Psalm 64:3

                  (8)     Bitterness fragments other peoples lives. Heb 12:15, "See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by it many be defiled.

                  (9)     Bitterness is self induced misery, and it produces chain sinning. Bitterness is misery to others in the periphery. But two wrongs never make a right. You cannot build your happiness on someone else's unhappiness.

         5)      Bitterness is manifested in every believer who does not have an ongoing, experiential personal relationship with God. They eventually become a walking bombshell ready to explode at any moment and the trigger or the button which is pushed is the sin of bitterness. The believer who allows bitterness to cause the explosion, either inwardly or overtly, hurts his own life. This is called self-induced misery. Harboring bitterness produces a very serious spiritual problem, a problem which is not correctable apart from personal love for God and impersonal unconditional love for all mankind.

         6)      Bitter people are caustic or sarcastic. They have shigaion, pain in the mind. Bitterness is severity of temper, biting sarcasm, a painful inward affliction, and a deep distress of mind that defiles others as well as self. Deuteronomy 28:34 says to those believers who are negative, You shall be driven mad [again shigaon] by the sight of what you see. Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled.

         7)      Being rejected is often the reason for bitterness in the lives of believers especially in marriage according to Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be embittered against them.

         8)      Bitterness lives and resides in the mind. Proverbs 14:10 The heart [mind, right lobe] knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not share its joy.

         9)      Bitterness in believers is so obvious that even strangers avoid them. Why? Because bitterness produces a complaining attitude. Complaining is simply an outward effect of an inward sin. The person who shuns the bitter moments of friends will be an outsider at their celebrations. Job 7:11 "Therefore, I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul." Job 10:1 "I loathe my own life; I will give full vent to my complaint; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul."

         10)    Bitterness produces misery. Psalm 73:21-22, When my heart was filled with bitterness, and I was pierced within, then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like an animal before you. Hence the phrase, "those people are like animals."

         11)    Most of you have heard the phrase, "Hell hath no fury like a woman's scorn." David taught his son Solomon the same thing in Proverbs 5:3-4 For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and smoother than oil is her speech; but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Later on Solomon would write in Ecclesiastes 7:26 And I discovered more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, whose hands are chains. One who is pleasing to God will escape from her, but the sinner will be captured by her.

11.    Vindictiveness, which is often a desire for vengeance.

         1)      Vindictiveness is the mental attitude that desires retaliation for wrongs, real or imagined. In this carnal state, the believer becomes obsessed with seeking revenge, resulting in the desire to hurt, to be spiteful, and to try to inflict suffering or punishment as retribution for this real or imagined evil or injury. This type of person is ugly to be around because even his countenance testifies against him. Cyril Connolly said: In the sex war, thoughtlessness is the weapon of the male, vindictiveness of the female.

         2)      Vindictiveness is also accompanied by jealousy. Proverbs 6:34 For jealousy enrages a man, and he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

         3)      In fellowship, the believer can leave the problem in the high court of heaven, as in Hebrews 10:30 For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge His people." (Deut. 32:35, 36)

12.    Inordinate ambition and inordinate competition

         1)      Inordinate ambition and inordinate competition is also a mental attitude sin. Ambition and competition in life is legitimate. However, when the believer becomes obsessed with competing and comparing self with others it becomes sin. 2Corinthians 10:12 For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. The same verse in the Living Bible reads: Their trouble is that they are only comparing themselves with each other and measuring themselves against their own little ideas. What stupidity!

         2)      This is the sin that the Lord weighs in Proverbs 16:2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the Lord weighs the motives. Mental attitude sins are very difficult for men to quantify; but God is able to do that. 1Corinthians 4:5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, [but wait] until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of [men’s] hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God.

         3)      The apostle Paul even tells us that if we do something great but with the wrong motives it is absolutely useless. 1Corinthians 15:32 If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me?

         4)      We are warned about pastors or men in the position of pastors who do not have the gift, but assume this position from the wrong motivation. Philippians 1:17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. You can be a teacher of the Bible and have wrong motives.

Anger Visual from Jannilla.se accessed July 18, 2014.

13.    Anger

         1)      Anger is a mental attitude precluding rational thought. It therefore makes difficult the application of doctrine.

                  (1)     Anger can be a fleeting emotion.

                  (2)     Anger happens to both believers and unbelievers.

                  (3)     All people get angry.

                  (4)     Anger often hangs around and when it does it becomes a sin.

                  (5)     Consequently, the believer must maintain an awareness of the need to rebound this sin as with all sins. We must not think we have to wait until we stop seething.

         2)      Etymology: Anger is defined by Webster as “a strong feeling of displeasure, hostility … indignation, or ire.”

         3)      The Greek word is thumos (θυμός) [pronounced thoo-MOSS], which describes a strong passion resulting in wrath or anger. It can be translated passion, anger, wrath, rage. Strong’s #2372.

                  (1)     Herod is said to be angry when he believes that the wise men mocked him. He killed thousands of children as a result. Matt. 2:16

                  (2)     When Jesus taught in the Temple, many of the pharisees and scribes are filled with anger. Luke 4:28

                  (3)     Anger is listed as a sin in 2Cor. 12:21 and Gal. 5:20

         4)      There is another Greek word orgê (ὀργή) [pronounced ohr-GAY], which means anger, indignation, wrath. It is a word used both of God and of man. Complete Thayer meanings: 1) anger, the natural disposition, temper, character; 2) movement or agitation of the soul, impulse, desire, any violent emotion, but especially anger; 3) anger, wrath, indignation; 4) anger exhibited in punishment, hence used for punishment itself; 4a) of punishments inflicted by magistrates. Strong’s #3709.

                  (1)     The religious types were said to be filled with this emotion in Mark 3:4–5 when Jesus was going to heal someone on the Sabbath.

                  (2)     This same word can be used for judicial punishment or discipline. Rom. 13:4

         5)      Differentiating between the words:

                  (1)     Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath (thumos), and anger (orge) and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.

                  (2)     Col 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger (orge), wrath (thumos), malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

                  (3)     With reference to the difference between thumos and orge: orge signifies the spirit panting, as it were, in the body with rage, passion and heat.

                  (4)     On the other hand, thumos can signify indignation which has arisen gradually and has become settled. Orge also means the “natural juices” that flow and seethe, as in the immediate emotional response to a precipitate situation.

                  (5)     In summary, these two words represent the emotion of anger or indignation which must be nipped in the bud at the mental attitude level. This is only done by rebound.

         6)      Anger is expressed in antagonism, hatred, exasperation, resentment, and irrationality. It can be mental or emotional or both.

         7)      Anger motivates jealousy and cruelty. Prov. 27:4 Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? A person can't be angry without being cruel and unfair.

         8)      Anger is related to stupidity. Ecclesiastes 7:9 Do not be hasty to be angry in your right lobe; for anger resides in the bosom of fools.

         9)      Anger results in self-induced misery. Proverbs 22:8 He who sows iniquity will reap vanity, And the rod of his fury will perish.

         10)    The Doctrine of Anger as a Word document (it will open up in Word). From the Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries (as a PDF). A PDF from Alive and Powerful. From Grace Notes (HTML) (WordDoc). I took most of this doctrine from West Bank Bible Church.

14.    Judging

         1)      Judging is a mental attitude sin as well as a verbal sin. Matthew 7:1–3 is the practical application to the believer's life. "Judge not, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others you will be judged. And with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you again."

         2)      Like almost everything from the Bible, this has been distorted by liberalism. This does not mean that you cannot recognize and, when necessary, shun some sins and behaviors. Homosexual acts are wrong, and believing this is not judging. Judging is assigning sin to someone who may or may not have committed that sin.

Hatred:

 

Dhammapada quotation from Art, Beauty, Life; accessed July 18, 2014.

Martin Luther King Jr., (from A Knock at Midnight: Inspiration from the Great Sermons of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.): Let no man pull you so low as to hate him.

 

Gena Showalter (from Seduce the Darkness): I don't hate you...I just don't like that you exist.

 

Maya Angelou: Hate, it has caused a lot of problems in the world, but has not solved one yet.

 

Dwight D. Eisenhower: Never waste a minute thinking about people you don't like.

 

1John 4:20 If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. (ESV)

 

Matthew 5:44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (ESV)

15.    Hatred

         1)      Hatred is self-punishment, the coward's revenge for being intimidated, madness of the heart, the anger of the weak. Hatred does more harm to the believer who harbors it than to the object of his hatred.

                  (1)     Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it.

                  (2)     Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it.

                  (3)     Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.

         2)      1John 4:20 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar.

         3)      The believer who is operating in the pre-designed plan of God is humble and does not waste time hating anyone. True humility manifests itself by the avoidance of hatred. As in 1 John 4:20, the mental attitude sin of hatred indicates that the believer does not love God. Life is too short to hate anyone!

         4)      Having murder in one’s heart toward another person is a form of hatred. 1John 3:15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

16.    Sexual lust

         1)      This is made equivalent to adultery by Jesus Christ.

17.    Vengeance; vengeance motivation.

         1)      Prov. 6:34 For jealousy is the rage of a man; therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

         2)      Hebrews 10:30 For we know him that has said, Vengeance belongs unto Me, I will repay, says the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge His people.

Stress:

Rashida Rowe on Stress, from Search Quotes, accessed July 18, 2014

 

Kelly Clarkson: God will never give you anything you can't handle, so don't stress.

 

William James: The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.

 

Andrew Bernstein: The truth is that stress doesn't come from your boss, your kids, your spouse, traffic jams, health challenges, or other circumstances. It comes from your thoughts about these circumstances.

 

David Mamet, from Boston Marriage: We must have a pie. Stress cannot exist in the presence of a pie.

 

Rom. 14:23b Anything that is not done in faith is sin. (God’s Word™)

18.    Stress is optional; adversity is a part of life.

         1)      There are two categories of pressure in life.

                  (1)     Overt pressure, which in this study will be classified as adversity.

                  (2)     Inner pressure of the soul, which in this study will be classified as stress.

         2)      Stress is what you do to yourself; adversity is what the circumstances of life do to you.

         3)      Adversity is outside pressures of life from the circumstances of our daily experiences, whereas stress is inside pressure of the soul. The Greek word THLIPSIS, Rom 5:3 2 Cor 1:4, 8 1Thess. 3:3 2Thess. 1:4 Rev 2:9-10, 22, etc. should be translated "adversity," because it means calamity, catastrophe, affliction, oppression, disaster, general suffering brought on by the outward circumstances of life.

         4)      Adversity may be caused by pain, weather, financial problems, loss of friendship, broken romance, marital problems, family problems, business or professional problems, personality conflicts, lawsuits, economic depression, spiritual problems, etc.

                  (1)     As outside pressures of life, there are three categories of adversity.

                            i        Suffering from the law of volitional responsibility.

                            ii       Suffering from Divine discipline.

                            iii       Suffering for Blessing which accelerates spiritual growth.

                  (2)     As inside pressure of the soul, stress includes four categories.

                            i        Stress from converting the outside pressures of adversity into the inside pressures of stress in the soul.

                            ii       Stress which comes from grieving the Holy Spirit.

                            iii       Stress which comes from quenching the Spirit.

                            iv      Stress from the three areas of divine discipline.

         5)      Once you have stress in the soul, there is no Suffering for Blessing until you rebound and recover. Then the adversity is turned into Suffering for Blessing

         6)      Adversity is inevitable (we all have suffering); stress is optional. It depends on your own volition as to which you will have, suffering for blessing inside the spiritual life or stress upon your soul in carnality. The positive volitional attitude is noted in Rom 8:31-37.

         7)      Stress in the soul always results in sin nature control of your life. It destroys the spiritual life of the believer. It causes fragmentation, reversionism, and Christian degeneracy, which, when combined with the old sin nature control of the soul, completely destroys any capacity for life, love, and

                  (1)     Stress destroys the inner spiritual strength of the soul when combined with the OSN control of the soul and results in inner tensions that cause dissociation, mental disorder, and multiple personality dysfunctions.

                  (2)     Unchecked and perpetuated stress in the soul produces the psycho Christian.

                  (3)     Stress results in self-fragmentation.

         8)      Stress, perpetuated in the soul, means failure to glorify God, and therefore, unchecked stress produces the loser believer, the believer who lives in perpetual carnality.

         9)      There are seven categories of loser believers brought on by allowing stress to penetrate their

                  (1)     Stress results in self-fragmentation.

                  (2)     Stress perpetuated in the soul results in polarized fragmentation. Polarized fragmentation, in which the sin nature control takes you to your trend of self-righteous arrogance or antinomianism.

                  (3)     Polarized fragmentation leads to the eight stages of reversionism.

                            i        Reaction and distraction.

                            ii       The frantic search for happiness.

                            iii       Operation boomerang. (The frantic search for happiness returns to the believer empty of happiness but increases stress in the soul.)

                            iv      Emotional revolt of the soul.

                            v       The status of locked in negative volition.

                            vi      Blackout of the soul.

                            vii      Scar tissue of the soul.

                            viii     Reverse process reversionism. (Reverse process reversionism is the status of lost spiritual priorities and values; for all such priorities and values are completely

                  (4)     Christian moral degeneracy.

                  (5)     Christian immoral degeneracy.

                  (6)     Dissociation, which is garbage in the subconscious.

                  (7)     Becoming a psychotic or neurotic Christian.

         10)    For more on this doctrine, see the Doctrine of Stress from Grace Doctrine.

Fear is a choice (graphic) from The Keep Calm-o-Matic, accessed July 18, 2014.

19.    Fear

         1)      A whole system of sins, fear includes worry, anxiety, insecurity, all incapacitate doctrinal application, and therefore cause us to be inable to use the problem solving devices. Fear is an emotional sin and it torments the lives of others. 1John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

         2)      For the believer who lives in a state of fear, the fear increases like a disease. As the cancer of fear increases, that individual becomes intimidated by life.

         3)      What the Bible teaches about fear is somewhat enigmatic. We are told to fear God and yet we are also told perfect love casts out all fear.

         4)      C. S. Lewis provides, in his own special way, an answer to the dilemma. How can you fear God, and yet confidently trust Him for your every need? In his book The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe he writes of two children searching for their brother, who is under the spell of a wicked witch. They are desperate for help when they hear that the Lion King of Narnia is on the move. The Lion in his book is symbolic of Christ the God-man. The children both fear and respect the Lion King hoping He might help them, one of the children, says, "Ooh!" said Susan, "Is he safe? I feel quite nervous about meeting a lion." "Safe?" said Mr. Beaver. "Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn't safe. But he's good.' He's the King ..." Christ as the Lion of Judah is quite the companion, strong, bold, perfect and devoted to His pride but better yet, my Christian friend, He is Good!

         5)      R. B. Thieme, Jr.’s postulates of fear:

                  (1)     The more we surrender to fear, the more things we will fear.

                  (2)     The more things we surrender to fear, the greater our capacity for fear.

                  (3)     The greater our capacity for fear, the more we increase the power of fear in our life.

                  (4)     The more we increase the power of fear in our life, the harder it becomes to grow in His grace.

         6)       Fear can be a sin or an evil in our life. Fear, as a sin, can be handled easily, just name it to God and move on. Fear, which becomes evil, is another matter.

         7)      If we let the sin of fear stick around, it will become an evil, a terrible mental attitude sin which is both irrational and irresponsible; and thus, a terrible distraction, breeding failure and

         8)      That man should fear and respect God is an established principle. In one sense, however, as His prized possession, the regenerate man with doctrine should bask in the fact that God is our shield and our very great reward. In another sense God is not to be mocked or tempted.

         9)      Gen. 15:1 After his deliverance of Lot, the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

         10)    The carnal man, in contrast, is like an animal left to provide for himself in fear, protected from death, but left to live as an object of God's discipline. Lot feared to travel the way God directed. Gen 19:17-19 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. But Lot said to them, "No, my lords, please! Your servant has found favor in your eyes, and you have shown great kindness to me in sparing my life. But I can't flee to the mountains of Zoar; this disaster will overtake me, and I'll die.” The closing chapter in the career of Lot is a pitiful period of fear and incest. Lot found himself evicted from his city of choice to live in fear of God and man. Zoar is a city located on the south shore of the Dead sea, its king had been one of the kings who had earlier captured Lot, requiring Abraham to rescue both him and his family. Lot and his family failed miserably. Disaster, disgrace, despair, and death are written in their epitaph.

         11)    The fear and the dread of appearing before a Holy God are eliminated-or ought to be-in the life of a believer. 1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love (Agape). But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. Rom. 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Rom. 8:33 Who will bring a charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. The answer is of course not.

         12)    A fear and reverence for God is one of the requirements of a leader. It was one of the requisites given to Moses as a character requirement. Leaders may fear, but it is what they do with fear that is important. An old WWII cliché when speaking of what the British citizens did in response to the awful “buzz bombings.” “Fear knocked at the door but courage answered.” Ex. 18:21 Moreover you will provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

         13)    The Scriptures speak of the following kinds of fear, which are not mental attitude sins:

                  (1)     This can be a reference to a holy fear which amounts to awe or respect for the majesty and holiness of God. Said another way: Godly fear is a deep and abiding respect because we know of His essence and attributes, but it has to be learned. Psa 34:11 Come, children, listen to me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. David speaks of a fear which is clean and pure; one which creates joy in the heart and light to the eyes. Psalm 19:8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. Psalm 19:9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.

                  (2)     The Bible, in several places, speaks of a reverential fear which is the basis or beginning of all true wisdom. Joy goes hand in hand with confidence on the road to happiness. Christians are to be joyful as we await the ecstatic and ultimate felicity and bliss at the end of our journey. The writer of Prov. 1:7 and Psalm 111:10 both agree that fear and respect of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Prov. 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.

                  (3)     Reverential fear provides respect for God's authorities; such respect will be seen by others as a good witness. Others may want what you have. Psalm 2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Prov. 8:13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. 2Cor. 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Philip. 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

                  (4)     We are to fear secular authority, for each has been established as God”s agent to facilitate peace and prosperity within the nation. Rom 13:1–5 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist will receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Will you then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and you will have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 1Peter 2:18 Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect (Phobos), not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. Num 14:9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them."

                  (5)     A believer”s fear of discipline and reverential respect for God should be parlayed into a productive walk with God. A walk with God can only be accomplished by means of the consistent use of the two power options. Discipline must not be feared but approached as an "opportunity to learn. Prov. 3:12 For whom the LORD loves he corrects; even as a father the son in whom he delights. Heb. 12:6–8 For whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and scourges every son whom he receives. If you endure chastening God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not? But if you have not been disciplined, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Rev. 3:19–20 As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline: be zealous therefore, and change your thinking. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will eat supper with him, and he with Me.

                  (6)     Fear is an essential element in the Christian life, be it reverence of God, which is the beginning of wisdom, or an advised concern. 1Peter 1:16–17 Because it is written, Be holy; for I am holy. And if you call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear (Phobos).

                  (7)     As believers, we are told to fear the failure of moving to spiritual maturity. Heb 4:1–11 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, "As I swore in my wrath, 'They shall not enter my rest,'" although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all his works." And again in this passage he said, "They shall not enter my rest." Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, again he appoints a certain day, "Today," saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. (ESV; capitalized)

                  (8)     These sorts of fears are proper, but there is an insensate dread which should not be a part of our make-up--worry or anxiety without cause. Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

         14)    Solomon warned that sometimes old age can bring on a great many fears. Eccles. 12:1–5

         15)    In the Tribulation, those who are against God will suffer from great fear. Isa. 2:19 Luke 21:25–27 Rev. 11:10–11 18:10, 15

         16)    God has not give us a spirit of fear, but one of power and confidence. 2Tim. 1:7

         17)    When we find ourselves being afraid, we should cast our troubles upon God. 1Peter 5:6–7

         18)    The power of God and Bible doctrine in our lives is the ability to set aside fear and worry. Psalm 23:4 56:3, 11 Isa. 41:10–11 Heb. 11:27

         19)    The word fear is sometimes used in the figurative sense, where there is no affixed moral judgement. 1Cor. 2:3 2Cor. 11:3 12:20–21

         20)    The Doctrine of Fear is also covered here: Lake Eerie Bible Church, Maranatha Church, and from Bible Doctrine Resources. I took most of this doctrine from the West Bank Bible Church.

20.    Worry

         1)       Worry is a failure to understand God's provision for us and His promises, failure to cast our care on Him because He cares for us, resulting in unnecessary soulish torment or anxiety or a disquieting and painful state of mind involving undue concern over something in life.

         2)      Worry is soulish torment or anxiety regarding anything in life. It is a disquieting and painful state of mind involving undue concern over something in life. Worried people anticipate the worst, and so worry becomes apprehension or anticipation of danger, misfortune, trouble, or uncertainty.

         3)      Worry is a state of restlessness and agitation, producing mental disturbance, uneasiness, foreboding, anxiety, and painful uncertainty.

         4)      Such worry always anticipates the worst, and so becomes apprehension or anticipation of danger, misfortune, trouble, or uncertainty. Worry is a state of restlessness and agitation, producing mental disturbance, uneasiness, foreboding, anxiety, and painful uncertainty.

         5)      Worry is a destroyer of the soul. If unchecked, it results in mental illness. Worry in the mind causes shock to the body. Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in the heart of a man weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad.

         6)      Worry requires an object (as do most mental attitude sins). People cause worry. People are always worried about other people. Worriers have to have an object, 1 Sam 10:2. You can always find an object if you really want to worry.

         7)      Bad news causes worry. Jer 49:23ff

         8)      People worry about sin which causes guilt. Psalm 38:18 For I confess my iniquity; I am full of anxiety because of my sin.

         9)      Economic disaster is a cause of worry. Jer. 44:16

         10)    Worry can cause hysteria (Luke 10:41). All people have areas in which they are prone to worry.

         11)    And worry is a sin, therefore, we are ordered to stop worrying. Romans 14:23 Whatever is not from faith is sin. Luke 12:29 "And do not seek what you shall eat, and what you shall drink, and do not keep worrying."

         12)    These mental attitude sins are very subtle, because they blaspheme the character of God and say in effect that God is not capable of taking care of you.

         13)    Worry leads to backsliding and the sin unto death, Ezek 4:15-17,12:18-19, Isa 57:11.

         14)    Worry does not solve problems. Matt. 6:25,34

         15)    Worry distracts from Bible teaching. Matt 13:22 Luke 8:14

         16)    Therefore, blessing from God includes freedom from worry. Jer 17:7-8 Blessed [= happy] is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord. This verse teaches the difference between a growing and a mature believer.

         17)    Therefore, worry is forbidden. Phil 4:6-7. Ask God in prayer for anything. When you get Bible teaching under your belt you won't worry so much anyway. See also 1Sam 17:47 Psalm 55:22 Isa 26:3-4 1Pet 5:7.