Ever wonder what’s going on inside your head? Do you ever have vague feelings of guilt or wonder why you do the things you do? Use this 12-day reading plan to help identify Sinful Roots in your heart. Learn to acknowledge your sin, calling it what God calls it, so you can confess it to Him and then walk by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Julie Gossack
Day 1
Scriptures: Proverbs 12:16, Proverbs 14:29, Proverbs 16:32, Proverbs 19:11, Matthew 5:21-22, Ephesians 4:26-27, James 1:19-20
ANGER
Anger occurs when our desires (whether unrighteous desires or righteous desires) have not been met. The loss of those desires causes a grievous displeasure that can be manifested in various ways. Although anger can be righteous (Eph. 4:26), we most often have and thus display unrighteous anger. Unrighteous anger is usually accompanied by pride and selfishness. Contrary to anger are meekness, self-control, peace, and patience.
ANGER in the heart says things such as: “I have a bad attitude.” “I am not getting what I want.” “I am bummed, grumpy, irritated, disappointed, or frustrated.”
Day 2
Scriptures: Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 12:25, Matthew 6:25-34, Philippians 4:6-9, 1 Peter 5:6-9
ANXIETY
Anxiety is worry. It is a care or concern for something to the extent that it disturbs or troubles our soul. It is taking thought to something so much that it encumbers our mind. Anxiety causes fear, sorrow, fretting, and dread because we believe that God will not care for our situation appropriately.
ANXIETY in the heart says such things as: “I can’t stop thinking about this.” “I’m stressed out!” “God is not taking care of this the right way.”
Day 3
Scriptures: Proverbs 10:12, Proverbs 10:18, Galatians 5:15, Ephesians 4:31-32, Hebrews 12:14-15, 1 John 4:20-21
BITTERNESS
Bitterness is a form of anger toward God and others that brings despair of soul. It is a hatred of others and a lack of forgiveness of their wrongs, whether those wrongs are real or perceived. Our bitterness grieves that situations have not been made “right” according to our own expectations. Bitterness causes us to miss out on God’s grace in daily life, and it spreads trouble to others (Heb. 12:15). Contrary to bitterness are joy, love, and meekness.
BITTERNESS in the heart says such things as: “I want others to suffer for their wrongs against me.” “I hate them.” “God has done wrong to me.” “I can’t get over this….”
Day 4
Scriptures: Psalms 42:1-11, Habakkuk 3:17-18, Romans 15:13
DESPAIR
Despair is a state of complete hopelessness that fails to have a biblical, eternal perspective. Despair is a fixation upon earthly, temporal situations that causes a downcast spirit and utter discouragement. It is the sin of unbelief in the fact that God always acts and assists in a way that is for our absolute good and total benefit. Contrary to despair is the faith and confidence in God’s sovereign goodness that leads to joyful hope and patient endurance.
DESPAIR in the heart says things such as: “God cannot help me.” “My life is hopeless.” “I cannot go on.” “God is doing wrong to me.”
Day 5
Scriptures: Proverbs 14:30, Romans 13:12-14, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, James 3:13-16, 1 Peter 2:1-3
ENVY
Envy is pain and grief that is felt when we observe another’s good or happiness. Envy often manifests itself in anger and contention toward others, wanting to cause harm to their good. It is a lack of contentment that robs us of joy, delight in God, and thankfulness. Envy usually occurs in conjunction with the sins of greed, pride, and selfishness.
ENVY in the heart says things such as: “I just hate them!” “I hate that others have good things and are happy.” “I would be happy if I had what someone else has.”
Day 6
Scriptures: Joshua 1:9, Psalms 56:3-4, Romans 8:15, 2 Timothy 1:7, Hebrews 13:5-6
FEAR
Sinful fear is similar to anxiety and worry in that it is a troubling of our soul. Sinful fear leads to disobedience of God’s commands because it can paralyze us to inaction or cause us to seek our own solutions outside of God’s ways. Contrary to fear are confidence and trust in the person of God that leads to obedience to His Word.
Fear in the heart says things such as: “God let things get out of control.” “I have to escape this situation.” “I can’t obey God because I have to protect myself.”
Day 7
Scriptures: Proverbs 29:25, Galatians 1:10, Colossians 3:22-24, 1 Thessalonians 2:3-6
FEAR of MAN
Fear of man is the anxiety of being rejected. It is when we strive to gain favor and acceptance from others, or are overly concerned about what others think of us. Fear of man is a self-serving and self-exalting pride which robs the glory that is God’s alone. Guile and envy often accompany this sin. Contrary to fear of man are humility, fear of God, goodness, kindness, and love.
FEAR of MAN in the heart says things such as: “I am more concerned with that others think of me than doing what god says is right.” “I want to please people so they like me.” “I want recognition and attention from others.”
Day 8
Scriptures: Proverbs 23:4-5, Proverbs 28:16, Matthew 6:19-24, Luke 12:15, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, 1 Timothy 6:6-11
GREED
Greed, or covetousness, comes from two different Greek words: one meaning “more,” and the other “to have.” Greed is the craving to have more; it is synonymous with evil desire and lust. It is a strong craving to increase fleshly pleasures or to satisfy ourselves with earthly goods rather than eternal treasures. Covetousness leads to other sins, including envy and guile. Contrary to greed are contentment and thankfulness, which are satisfied in God alone.
GREED in the heart says things such as: “I want more.” “I am not content with what I have.” “Having more will satisfy.”
Day 9
Scriptures: Psalms 31:18, Proverbs 12:19-22, Proverbs 21:6, Ephesians 4:25, 1 Peter 2:1-3, 1 Peter 3:8-12
GUILE
Guile is from the Greek word dólos, which means “to bait.” This word means to scam, scheme, lie, and deceive. Guile is a sly deviousness in which we manipulate and seek to cover our true motives and behavior. It is often accompanied by sins such as selfishness, greed, and fear of man. Contrary to guile are fear of God, humility, and love.
GUILE in the heart says such things as: “I don’t want to tell the whole truth.” “I scheme and deceive to hide my true desires. “I will manipulate others to get what I want.”
Day 10
Scriptures: Proverbs 6:6-11, Proverbs 24:30-34, Proverbs 26:14-16, 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12, 1 Timothy 5:8
LAZINESS
To be lazy is to be slack, idle, and slothful. Laziness is a neglect of responsibility and diligence. It is a form of selfishness that serves our desires of the sinful flesh and fails to consider both the interests of others and the consequences of the future. Contrary to laziness are faithfulness and good works.
LAZINESS in the hear says things such as: “I don’t want to do what I know I am supposed to do.” “I don’t want to be diligent.” “I will just do whatever I want.”
Day 11
Scriptures: Psalms 138:6, Proverbs 11:2, Proverbs 16:18-19, Romans 12:3, Romans 12:16, James 4:6
PRIDE
Pride is very likely the foundation of all other sins. It is a high view of our own worth, opinions, and abilities. It is a self-worship in which we exalt ourselves above God’s person and purposes. Pride is also a sin against people because it is a failure to love and serve them. Contrary to pride are humility, meekness, goodness, kindness, and love.
“My way is always right; others are wrong.” “I want attention and recognition.” “I have a right to….” “I am better than others.”
Day 12
Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 10:24, 1 Corinthians 13:4-5, Philippians 2:1-5
SELFISHNESS
Selfishness is loving our own life so much that there is a lack of love and service toward God and others. It is an active pursuit of self-satisfaction and pleasure that ignores the needs and interests of others. Selfishness robs us of thankfulness and also the ability for self-control. Contrary to selfishness are humility, love, kindness, and goodness.
SELFISHNESS in the heart says things such as: “I have to look out for what I want and need.” “What I want is more important than the needs of others.” “I want what I want–when and how I want it.”
