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It Came from Within!: The Shocking Truth of What Lurks in the Heart by Andy Stanley
Where Did THAT Come From?You know that dreaded, sinking, I-can’t-believe-I-said-that-out-loud feeling? It’s a disconnect between your attitude and your actions. Or is it? “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks,” states Matthew 12:33. Scary, but The words you “accidentally” speak and the actions you later regret are actually in keeping with what’s hiding in your heart. Andy Stanley’s life-changing message examines four conditions at the root of sour attitudes, hurting relationships, and regretful guilt, anger, greed, and jealousy. This book will help you disclose the true state of your heart and turn what’s terrifying into what’s terrific.You Can’t Runfrom What Lurks WithinMore frightening than Frankenstein. More seductive than a vampire’s kiss. More destructive than alien invaders from another planet. They will numb your soul, steal your life, and threaten your most treasured relationships.Who are these creatures?Where do they come from?At the fall of mankind they were unleashed on the world, wreaking havoc and sending countless thousands fleeing from their homes. And their lair is found in the last place anyone wants to look – the mysterious depths of the human heart.You think nobody knows the real you. You think your secret is safe. Beware! These forces gain strength from darkness. And left to their own, they will grow in power and influence, like a lab experiment gone terribly wrong.But these monsters have a weakness. They can be defeated. You can escape their clutches and be forever free of their influence.Learn the truth–before it’s too late!Are you afraid to look inside?Suddenly a young wife files for divorce. Suddenly a college student’s grades drop and his attitude changes. Suddenly a man’s harmless pastime becomes a destructive habit.Each looks for someone else to blame. But the real enemy lurks within. Each of these people is a victim, but not in the way they might think. An invader, a deadly parasite, has wrapped its powerful, controlling tentacles around each victim’s heart.The heart . Not the organ that pumps blood through our veins, but that invisible, intangible place where we experience love, compassion, contempt, and jealousy.Like the physical heart, this other heart is highly susceptible to attack–by four nightmarish foes, in particular. Four malevolent forces that, left unchallenged, have the power to lay waste our homes, trample our careers, and leave our relationships in fiery ruins.But hope is not lost. There is a way to fight back.In this smart, revealing book, you will be introduced to these four invaders of the heart. More importantly, you will be given four weapons designed specifically to destroy them. Writing with deep honesty and gentle humor, Andy Stanley shows how you can overcome these monsters and save your world, starting now.Story Behind the BookAndy Stanley is the senior pastor of three North Point Ministries campuses with a cumulative congregation of more than twenty thousand. In his role he sees a tremendous number of people struggling with the same basic issues. This book is based on a message he spoke to his congregation to help them better understand, work through, and move beyond the problems caused by a hurting heart.From the Hardcover edition.
Paperback
First published February 1, 2006
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About the author
Andy Stanley
276 books839 followersAndy Stanley is the senior pastor of North Point Community Church, Buckhead Church, and Browns Bridge Community Church. He also founded North Point Ministries, which is a worldwide Christian organization.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 31, 2014
I got this book from a friend. This is the first time I’ve read any of his work, but I went to McKay’s today to look for more. This guy’s awesome. His stuff is so practical and he’s an easy read. Anyhow on with the book review.
There are four beasts that assault our hearts: guilt, anger, jealously and greed.
Guilt says, “I owe you”. You’ve got to pay that debt for your guilt to go away. I pay the debt by confessing completely to whoever I’ve hurt.
Anger says, “You owe me.” Some people spend years being angry, but that debt can’t be paid. There’s no way for a father to repay the debt he incurred for walking out on his family. The problem with anger is it won’t stay put. It will spread to every facet of your life! You need to figure out the root cause of your anger and decide to let it go. You do this by stopping using your story as crutches, instead use it as an example of God’s ability to free you from the past. The SOLUTION to anger is forgiveness. (1) You need to identify the people you’re angry with. Make a list (2) Figure out what they owe you. They took something from you, what was it? (3) Cancel the debt. Make it a physical action. Write it down and burn it, nail it to a cross, bury it. (4) Dismiss the case. When those old feelings of anger come up remind yourself that the debt was paid. We need to remember that forgiveness is a decision not a feeling. Sometimes I don’t feel like forgiving, but I must! (Matt. 18.21-35)
Greed says, “I owe me.” Greedy people think that everything that comes their way and everything that could possibly come their way should be theirs. Greed is sneaky, because we’ve turned it into a virtue. Greedy people are savers or they’re making sure their financial future is secure. You can tell you’re greedy if you attach strings to the money you give people. Maybe your family hates to bring up financial issues around you. I have way more than I need, so why is all that there? There are some options (1) So your children can have everything they need. Leaving your children a lot of money usually ruins them. They didn’t work for it so they don’t appreciate it. (2) So you won’t have to worry. You don’t lean on your accumulated assets for peace! In fact, the more you have the more you worry about it. (3) To elevate your standard of living. Our lifestyles don’t even keep up with our income! (4) So you can retire early. This was the farmer’s idea in Luke 12. He didn’t realize that his free time was an asset he needed to steward. So why do we have extra? To give it to others! If one brother has two cookies and his brother doesn’t have any their parents would make the boy with 2 share. We get it with cookies, why not with money? Greed is CONQUERED by generosity. Jesus says you’re greedy if you’re not willing to give to the point that it changes your lifestyle. I’m still working on this one personally, but Stanley’s right when he says that my assets aren’t mine anyhow, I’m just managing them.
Jealously says, “God owes me.” I’m not mad because the person I’m jealous of has what I’m jealous of. I’m mad that I don’t have it! So my problem isn’t with that person, my problem is with God. Jealousy is dangerous because it changes my opinion of the person I’m envious of. It’s hard to actively love someone or submit to someone you’re jealous of. James 4.1 says we fight because of an internal conflict. We want something and can’t have it. The desires James talks about could also be translated pleasures. These pleasures are things that we can never fully fill, like money, power and hunger. Everytime we fill these desires they come back. We need to own the fact that all our fights come from not getting what I want. Instead of getting mad at someone else because they can’t fill those desires we should bring them to God, He’s the One who gave us those desires in the 1st place! I need to confess to God that my root problem is that I’m not getting what I want then dump all my desires on Him. Sometimes God says, “No” to those prayers, but I should still bring them to Him, because I need to learn to depend, ask, lean and cry out to Him. He doesn’t give me some things because they’re not in my best interest. They’re not good for me. I also need to learn to take no as an answer and not take things into my own hands. To KILL JEALOUSY I need to admit it’s not about the person you’re envious of. You’re just not getting what you want. Once you admit this start CELEBRATING the people you’re jealous of. Become their biggest fan and do it vocally.
How do I teach my kids to protect their hearts? I need to teach them the importance of confession, forgiveness, generosity and celebrating others successes. I also need to pray with them, model good habits, make sure they’re in church and look for teachable moments. The heart problems are a big deal because they make intimacy on any level harder. Intimacy with God and others. Fix it before it takes over your life!
Sorry this review was so long, but there’s so much good stuff in this book that you should really just read it yourself.
There are four beasts that assault our hearts: guilt, anger, jealously and greed.
Guilt says, “I owe you”. You’ve got to pay that debt for your guilt to go away. I pay the debt by confessing completely to whoever I’ve hurt.
Anger says, “You owe me.” Some people spend years being angry, but that debt can’t be paid. There’s no way for a father to repay the debt he incurred for walking out on his family. The problem with anger is it won’t stay put. It will spread to every facet of your life! You need to figure out the root cause of your anger and decide to let it go. You do this by stopping using your story as crutches, instead use it as an example of God’s ability to free you from the past. The SOLUTION to anger is forgiveness. (1) You need to identify the people you’re angry with. Make a list (2) Figure out what they owe you. They took something from you, what was it? (3) Cancel the debt. Make it a physical action. Write it down and burn it, nail it to a cross, bury it. (4) Dismiss the case. When those old feelings of anger come up remind yourself that the debt was paid. We need to remember that forgiveness is a decision not a feeling. Sometimes I don’t feel like forgiving, but I must! (Matt. 18.21-35)
Greed says, “I owe me.” Greedy people think that everything that comes their way and everything that could possibly come their way should be theirs. Greed is sneaky, because we’ve turned it into a virtue. Greedy people are savers or they’re making sure their financial future is secure. You can tell you’re greedy if you attach strings to the money you give people. Maybe your family hates to bring up financial issues around you. I have way more than I need, so why is all that there? There are some options (1) So your children can have everything they need. Leaving your children a lot of money usually ruins them. They didn’t work for it so they don’t appreciate it. (2) So you won’t have to worry. You don’t lean on your accumulated assets for peace! In fact, the more you have the more you worry about it. (3) To elevate your standard of living. Our lifestyles don’t even keep up with our income! (4) So you can retire early. This was the farmer’s idea in Luke 12. He didn’t realize that his free time was an asset he needed to steward. So why do we have extra? To give it to others! If one brother has two cookies and his brother doesn’t have any their parents would make the boy with 2 share. We get it with cookies, why not with money? Greed is CONQUERED by generosity. Jesus says you’re greedy if you’re not willing to give to the point that it changes your lifestyle. I’m still working on this one personally, but Stanley’s right when he says that my assets aren’t mine anyhow, I’m just managing them.
Jealously says, “God owes me.” I’m not mad because the person I’m jealous of has what I’m jealous of. I’m mad that I don’t have it! So my problem isn’t with that person, my problem is with God. Jealousy is dangerous because it changes my opinion of the person I’m envious of. It’s hard to actively love someone or submit to someone you’re jealous of. James 4.1 says we fight because of an internal conflict. We want something and can’t have it. The desires James talks about could also be translated pleasures. These pleasures are things that we can never fully fill, like money, power and hunger. Everytime we fill these desires they come back. We need to own the fact that all our fights come from not getting what I want. Instead of getting mad at someone else because they can’t fill those desires we should bring them to God, He’s the One who gave us those desires in the 1st place! I need to confess to God that my root problem is that I’m not getting what I want then dump all my desires on Him. Sometimes God says, “No” to those prayers, but I should still bring them to Him, because I need to learn to depend, ask, lean and cry out to Him. He doesn’t give me some things because they’re not in my best interest. They’re not good for me. I also need to learn to take no as an answer and not take things into my own hands. To KILL JEALOUSY I need to admit it’s not about the person you’re envious of. You’re just not getting what you want. Once you admit this start CELEBRATING the people you’re jealous of. Become their biggest fan and do it vocally.
How do I teach my kids to protect their hearts? I need to teach them the importance of confession, forgiveness, generosity and celebrating others successes. I also need to pray with them, model good habits, make sure they’re in church and look for teachable moments. The heart problems are a big deal because they make intimacy on any level harder. Intimacy with God and others. Fix it before it takes over your life!
Sorry this review was so long, but there’s so much good stuff in this book that you should really just read it yourself.
July 11, 2020
This simple self help book from a Christian perspective was right on the money. Regardless of your own beliefs the truth of the book is that focusing on improving your internal self will help you improve all aspects of your life. It is a simple read that can be looked over again and again. I would recommend it for ANYONE that wants to improve their lives by finding solutions to guilt, anger, jealousy, and/or greed. It is a stepping stone and it shows you that daily improvement and a lifelong pursuit for improvement is good.
January 23, 2025
This book definitely helped identify things I needed to work on and things I needed help with personally emotionally and mentally. However. It was sooooo dry. took me alot to finish. and I also didn't like some of his methods as they are archaic and would not work for me today.
March 19, 2018
Quick/Helpful/Challenging. Such a direct and simple read, I had to keep reminding myself to take in what he was suggesting. Good stuff!
October 26, 2009
Have you ever said something or done something and then you think to yourself, "Where did THAT come from?"
I know I have. More times than I care to admit right now. This question, however, is the springboard for this entire book. Proverbs 4:23 sums it up well: "Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life." Ironically, I am memorizing that verse right now!
I am thankful that a friend from church told me about this book, and let me borrow it, too. I have seen it as I browsed through the latest CBD catalog or walked through my local Christian book store, but let's just say that I would never have picked it up to read. The cover of this book is terribly misleading, yet when you open the pages and get past all the silly quotes at the beginning of each chapter...you have some really good reading ahead.
Andy Stanley writes that there are 4 things that lodge in our spiritual heart that cause us to think, say, and do what we think, say, and do. I like what he says on page 34: "If the source were simply a few behavioral habits, you would have conquered them already."
Guilt, anger, greed, and jealousy unattended will become a blockage in our hearts and hinder our spiritual growth and life, and even in some cases, become fatal. "If it suddenly became impossible for us to cover up all the junk we normally hide from the rest of humanity, I have a feeling we would all get real motivated to deal with the source of what ails us." - page 36.
Andy walks us through chapters which explain these 4 "diseases" and how they affect us. Then he follows it up through chapters on what to do about the problem. The cures? Confession, forgiveness, giving, and celebration.
As a person who has attended several NANC conferences I am familiar with the concept of "Idols Of The Heart"Idols of the Heart Learning to Long for God Alone and was pleased to find that this book took a relatively similar approach to the matter. However, Andy writes with a flair of humor that makes this serious topic enjoyable to read about. I also appreciated his correlation of the physical heart with the spiritual heart and it's effect on our daily lives.
I am sure you will enjoy this book and I would highly encourage you to also read I Really Want to Change... So, Help Me God.
I know I have. More times than I care to admit right now. This question, however, is the springboard for this entire book. Proverbs 4:23 sums it up well: "Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life." Ironically, I am memorizing that verse right now!
I am thankful that a friend from church told me about this book, and let me borrow it, too. I have seen it as I browsed through the latest CBD catalog or walked through my local Christian book store, but let's just say that I would never have picked it up to read. The cover of this book is terribly misleading, yet when you open the pages and get past all the silly quotes at the beginning of each chapter...you have some really good reading ahead.
Andy Stanley writes that there are 4 things that lodge in our spiritual heart that cause us to think, say, and do what we think, say, and do. I like what he says on page 34: "If the source were simply a few behavioral habits, you would have conquered them already."
Guilt, anger, greed, and jealousy unattended will become a blockage in our hearts and hinder our spiritual growth and life, and even in some cases, become fatal. "If it suddenly became impossible for us to cover up all the junk we normally hide from the rest of humanity, I have a feeling we would all get real motivated to deal with the source of what ails us." - page 36.
Andy walks us through chapters which explain these 4 "diseases" and how they affect us. Then he follows it up through chapters on what to do about the problem. The cures? Confession, forgiveness, giving, and celebration.
As a person who has attended several NANC conferences I am familiar with the concept of "Idols Of The Heart"Idols of the Heart Learning to Long for God Alone and was pleased to find that this book took a relatively similar approach to the matter. However, Andy writes with a flair of humor that makes this serious topic enjoyable to read about. I also appreciated his correlation of the physical heart with the spiritual heart and it's effect on our daily lives.
I am sure you will enjoy this book and I would highly encourage you to also read I Really Want to Change... So, Help Me God.
March 27, 2009
I thought this was a fabulous book - worth every penny I paid for it and more. It couldn't have been a more timely message for me personally, and I think it probably saved me from some counseling bills. :-) It's all about keeping a watchful eye on your heart, not just on your behaviors. Too many times we say something hurtful and then wonder, "Where did that come from?" It comes from our hearts - we filter our thoughts and only let some things through, but meanwhile in our hearts and minds, we think it's ok to think these things. Problem is, what is in our hearts eventually spills out.
The book deals mainly with these 4 things: Guilt, Greed, Anger, and Jealousy. The author shows how each of these creates a debt/debtor relationship, and we can't move past them until we cancel the debt owed. I was really surprised after reading this book because I thought perhaps I struggled with 1 or 2 of these things, but I came to realize that I have them all in various measures...
Guilt - "I owe you"
Greed - "I owe me"
Anger - "You owe me"
Jealousy - "God owes me"
The book deals mainly with these 4 things: Guilt, Greed, Anger, and Jealousy. The author shows how each of these creates a debt/debtor relationship, and we can't move past them until we cancel the debt owed. I was really surprised after reading this book because I thought perhaps I struggled with 1 or 2 of these things, but I came to realize that I have them all in various measures...
Guilt - "I owe you"
Greed - "I owe me"
Anger - "You owe me"
Jealousy - "God owes me"
December 31, 2012
I highly recommend this book. It's one that I've read twice and anticipate reading again sometime in the future. Stanley expresses problems with guilt, anger, greed, and jealousy as debt equations that we are looking trying to see satisfied. This framework for the issues make them accessible and easy to understand. For such a quick read, I picked up quite a bit of insight. I'd actually put it on my top ten list of Christian non-fiction books to read.
January 31, 2008
I highly recommend this book, if you are struggling with anger, greed, guilt or jealousy. The book deals with the heart, specifically your heart, my heart which has a profound impact our my relationships with others. A heart out of whack, affects those closest to us, our family and close friends, for they see the real us, what is inside our hearts that comes spilling out.
July 12, 2008
I'm still struggling with putting together the premises in the opening chapters of this very good book with the premises in John Eldredge's WAKING THE DEAD... but that doesn't change how helpful this is in dealing with how our inner junk plays out in sinful & destructive ways in our lives & the lives of people around us.
November 6, 2020
This book made me extremely uncomfortable, for most of the book. It certainly hit home. Anger, Greed, Guilt, Jealousy. Everyone deals with one or more, possibly even ALL of these. Lust was dealt with in the end, and was very true and moving.
Read this book. Everyone. It is easy to get through and to understand.
Go get it. Go get changed.
Read this book. Everyone. It is easy to get through and to understand.
Go get it. Go get changed.
December 23, 2008
This is a good book. It's the kind of book that you don't have to read the whole way through to understand it. It's about the nasty stuff that can go on in our hearts - anger, jealousy, greed, and guilt.
May 21, 2010
The concepts in this book were great - really gave me some perspective about "root causes" in myself and others... However, I would've preferred the resolution of each root cause throughout the book, rather than all grouped at the end.
July 22, 2010
This book ought to be a Christian classic. Disarming and convicting, I could not avoid admitting that my heart is full of greed, anger, and jealousy. I made major changes after reading this. I have given copies of this book to many friends.
September 28, 2012
Centered around key vices for the heart; Anger, Jealousy, Greed, (& one more). Really great for a simple read of getting down to the core of your heart and asking yourself, what's really festering there. Challenging read personally if taken seriously.
February 11, 2015
I liked the tone of the book, it is my first Andy Stanley book and I thought he was funny and informative. It's a powerful book that has the potential to change hearts and lives. I definitely recommend it to anyone struggling with anger, jealousy, greed, or guilt.
August 18, 2016
There was some good info in here but it seems a bit rushed, unfinished, repetitive and at times the information seems off target and some Bible verses seem to be quoted out of context. Ideas could have been unpacked a little better. Seems more like a brief flyover as opposed to deep insight.
February 25, 2009
An unexpected gift from my sister for my birthday. Has stellar advice and perspective on dealing with hurt, anger, etc.
January 10, 2008
Great book - very self-revealing (is that a word?). This is one I feel like I need to look back at from time to time to refresh my memory on the lessons.
February 23, 2008
A great book about heart issues that can stifle a Christian's walk. Its written in a fun and friendly manner that draws you in. Don't judge it by the cover!
March 17, 2008
In my top 5 of all time. If I can live out these thoughts then I am what God wants me to be.
April 24, 2008
the series he did on this was STELLAR. the book is mediocre. should've lost the monstery imagery as it added no value to the book.
July 15, 2008
Don't be deceived by the cheesy cover and quotes within. The material and "meat" of the book is transforming.
November 26, 2010
Excellent book that helps you understand your inner self!!
March 13, 2012
While I appreciated the content of this book, I was put off by the author's "I'm so cute" writing style.
August 19, 2012
The heart is what causes us to do the things we do. Even if on the outside everything looks squeaky clean, if our heart is not pure before our God, we cannot please him.
January 6, 2013
(Later released as "Enemies Of The Heart") ...see my review there.
July 28, 2015
Andy Stanley is fantastic. I have to say I enjoy his preaching style more than his writing, but the book is simple wisdom, cover to cover.
Read
February 19, 2016good read
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews