Enemies Of The Heart by Andy Stanley

In Enemies Of The Heart, pastor/author Andy Stanley looks at the four emotions that control many of us and explains how we can break free from their influence. The 4 main emotions that he says have the biggest hold on our heart and our behavior are guilt (I owe you), anger (you owe me), greed (I owe me), and jealousy (God owes me). Andy explores how each can have an unhealthy influence on our behavior, how we feel about ourselves, and how we treat others. We simply shrug it off, excusing negative habits as being, "Just the way God made me", or "that's the way many in my family act", etc.

Through personal anecdotes and Biblical advice, Andy explores ways to change those unhealthy habits and attitudes. He stresses the importance to keep our "heart" healthy by not holding on to emotions that damage our outlook. One of the first Scriptures his father, Charles, had him memorize as a child was "Watch over  your heart with all diligence for from it flow the springs of life." ~ Proverbs 4:8. This tells us that we are not to let unhealthy emotions and actions consume us and destroy our relationship with others. Jesus tells us, "So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,  leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." ~ Matthew 5:23-24. Obviously, restoration of relationships with others is extremely important!

Word of warning: this is a reprint of an earlier book of his entitled, "It Came From Within". (I know that it annoys several people I know who think they are getting a new book, only to realize that a previously published book has been repackaged and retitled.) This was the first time I had read it though, and I saw some glimpses of myself that I need to pray about in order to eradicate bad thought patterns and habits. I also liked the discussion portion at the back. This would be great for a small accountability group to read together.

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”.