The Ungrateful Heart – November 20, 2024

Pastor Jared Dyson

Ingratitude is a destructive mindset that harms our relationship with God and others.

• Ingratitude is defined by the Britannica Dictionary as a lack of proper appreciation, or thanks for something, such as a kind or helpful act. 

Exodus 16:1-3 (CSB)

1 The entire Israelite community departed from Elim and came to the Wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had left the land of Egypt. 2The entire Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. 3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt when we sat by pots of meat and ate all the bread we wanted. Instead, you brought us into this wilderness to make this whole assembly die of hunger!”

Exodus 13:21-22 (CSB)

21 The LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to lead them on their way during the day and in a pillar of fire to give them light at night so that they could travel day or night. 22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night never left its place in front of the people. While they struggled, God never left them by themselves so long as they understood the covenant.  

• A root cause of ingratitude is selfishness and entitlement.
  • Consoling the Heart of Jesus, page 421 – Ignatius of Loyola had this to say about ingratitude: “It seems to me, in light of the Divine Goodness, …that ingratitude is one of the things most worthy of detestation before our Creator and Lord, and before all creatures capable of divine and everlasting glory, out of all the evil and sins which can be imagined. For it is the failure to recognize the good things, the graces, and the gifts received. As such, it is the cause, beginning, and origin of all evil and sins”

“Where am I being ungrateful in my life today?  Where am I refusing to show gratitude for what God has provided for me in this life?  Where am I allowing gossip and discontent to fester in my life?

• Cultivate a rhythm of gratitude.

James 5:16 (CSB) 

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.

1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 (CSB)

15 See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray constantly, 18 give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

• Express gratitude. Embrace humility.

Hebrews 12:28-29 (NIV)

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.

Philippians 2:3-4 (CSB)

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.

Colossians 2:7 (CSB)

7 Being rooted and built up in him (Jesus) and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude.

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