Re-Opening A Closed Spirit
Walter T. Linn, Ph.D.
I. WHAT IS A CLOSED SPIRIT?
A person has a closed spirit when they have been deeply hurt over a period of time…
A. Leading to FEAR
B. Leading to ANGER
C. Leading to BITTERNESS
D. Leading to actions which usually only make matters worse!
II. HOW DO WE DEVELOP A CLOSED SPIRIT?
We might develop a closed spirit when:
A. Someone with power over us hurts us deeply.
B. We try to explain how we feel and no one can or will UNDERSTAND or CARE.
C. We feel there is no way to become POSITIVELY ENTITLED or to WIN or to be ACCEPTED.
D. When we feel that we can’t escape these circumstances – and no matter what we do, it just gets worse!!
III. RE-OPENING A CLOSED SPIRIT
We can help a person reopen their closed spirit and enjoy a more full and satisfying life when we….
A. Listen to them – Psalms 73: 2-14
C. Model for them how to fight – 2 Timothy 4: 7-8
D. Say: “I’m sorry – I was wrong – “You were treated wrongly”
E. Stand up for them!
F. Teach them responsibility.
G. Hold them accountable.
H. Introduce them to good examples.
I. Pray for them! Pray with them!
J. Teach them forgiveness.
Needed this teaching today. Thank you.