Dealing With the Roots of Fretfulness
The sermon warns against the problem of fretfulness, which can be rooted deep within the soul, and encourages the listener to seek the calming influence of the Holy Spirit.
A.W. Tozer addresses the issue of fretfulness in the Christian life, emphasizing the admonition from Psalms 37:1 to avoid irritation and envy towards those who do wrong. He explains that the term 'fret' encompasses a range of negative emotions that can gnaw at our peace and joy. Tozer highlights that while the grace of God can calm our agitation, the deeper roots of fretfulness may still linger within us, manifesting in various forms. He encourages believers to seek the Holy Spirit's help in identifying and uprooting these hidden sources of distress. Ultimately, Tozer calls for a deeper examination of our hearts to fully experience God's peace.
Text
The Holy Spirit in Psalm 37:1 admonishes us to beware of irritation in our religious lives: "Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong."
The word "fret" comes to us from the Anglo-Saxon, and carries with it such a variety of meanings as bring a rather pained smile to our faces. Notice how they expose us and locate us behind our disguises. The primary meaning of the word is to eat, and from there it has been extended with rare honesty to cover most of the manifestations of an irritable disposition. "To eat away; to gnaw; to chafe; to gall; to vex; to worry; to agitate; to wear away"; so says Webster, and all who have felt the exhausting, corrosive effects of fretfulness know how accurately the description fits the facts.
Now, the grace of God in the human heart works to calm the agitation that normally accompanies life in such a world as ours. The Holy Spirit acts as a lubricant to reduce the friction to a minimum and to stop the fretting and chafing in their grosser phases. But for most of us the problem is not as simple as that. Fretfulness may be trimmed down to the ground and its roots remain alive deep within the soul, there growing and extending themselves all unsuspected, sending up their old poisonous shoots under other names and other appearances.
Sermon Outline
- The Problem of Fretfulness
- The Holy Spirit's Warning in Psalm 37:1
- The Meaning and Manifestations of Fretfulness
- The Effects of Fretfulness on the Soul
Key Quotes
“Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong.” — A.W. Tozer
“The primary meaning of the word is to eat, and from there it has been extended with rare honesty to cover most of the manifestations of an irritable disposition.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We must be aware of the roots of fretfulness within our souls and seek the Holy Spirit's help to calm our agitation.
- Fretfulness can manifest itself in various ways, and we must be honest with ourselves about its effects on our lives.
- Simply trimming down fretfulness may not be enough; we must also address its underlying roots.