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Managing My Emotions When I Experience Evil

Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew. “The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’ “‘An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed. “‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked. “‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do. Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’” MATTHEW 13:24-30 NLT

Then, leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went into the house. His disciples said, “Please explain to us the story of the weeds in the field.” Jesus replied, “The Son of Man is the farmer who plants the good seed. The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one. The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels. MATTHEW 13:36-39 NLT

WHEN I EXPERIENCE EVIL, MANAGING MY EMOTIONS MEANS:

I DON’T TRUST MY IMMEDIATE REACTION, I TRUST JESUS 

“‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked. “‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do. Let both grow together until the harvest. MATTHEW 13:28-30 NLT

I CAN FEEL MY FEELINGS, BUT I MUST FOLLOW MY FAITH

What can happen to my emotions when I encounter evil?

There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking. PROVERBS 29:20 NLT

I ANTICIPATE THE DEVIL’S SECOND MOVE

The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. MATTHEW 13:39 NLT

When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes. 2 CORINTHIANS 2:10-11 NLT

I IDENTIFY THE DEVIL’S END GAME

The devil hates the church and knows that weed pulling will wound the real wheat.

I EXTEND GRACE TO PEOPLE WHO REACT DIFFERENTLY THAN ME

Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval. ROMANS 14:4 NLT

Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. Indeed, we all make many mistakes. JAMES 3:1-2 NLT

I LOOK FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO CARE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE HURTING

 “Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, who pleases me. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not fight or shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. MATTHEW 12:18-20 NLT

I REAFFIRM MY TRUST IN GOD’S ETERNAL PLAN

“Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand! MATTHEW 13:40-43 NLT

My Notes

Discussion Questions

Use the following questions to reflect on the sermon and choose a couple from each

section to discuss as a group:

  1. START HERE: What’s something that instantly stirs up a strong reaction in you?
  2. START HERE: How have you seen people handle their emotions poorly?
  3. START HERE: Why can our first and immediate reaction often be wrong?
  4. KEEP GOING: When faced with evil, which emotion is difficult for you to control?
  5. KEEP GOING: When you’re feeling your feelings, what are some ways you could instead follow your faith?
  6. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 13:36-43 (NLT). How does this passage encourage you to trust Jesus?
  7. KEEP GOING: How do you see the enemy trying to divide people today?
  8. KEEP GOING: What have you experienced the devil trying to do in your life?
  9. LIVE IT OUT: How could you care for someone experiencing evil and hurting?
  10. LIVE IT OUT: What are some ways you’re currently nurturing or you want to better nurture the good seeds Jesus has planted in your life?