Casting Out the Inward Thing for Outward Change

Jonah 1:11-16 CSB

“So they said to him, ‘What should we do to you so that the sea will calm down for us?’ For the sea was getting worse and worse. He answered them, ‘Pick me up and throw me into the sea so that it will calm down for you, for I know that I’m to blame for this great storm that is against you.’ Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they couldn’t because the sea was raging against them more and more. So they called out to the LORD, ‘Please, LORD, don’t let us perish because of this man’s life, and don’t charge us with innocent blood! For you, LORD, have done just as you pleased.’ Then they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging. The men were seized by great fear of the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows.”

Introduction:

We are now in the third pard of our series “Running With Jonah” and now the storm is raging and Jonah must come to grips with somethings. How many of us have ever been in a storm—one so rough that it feels like everything is falling apart? It could be a storm of your finances, a storm in your family, a storm in your marriage. But here’s the thing: sometimes, the storm isn’t just around us; it’s within us. Today, as we move into part three we will be teaching on the subject, “Casting Out the Inward Thing for Outward Change”. You see, just like Jonah, sometimes the storms in our lives aren't just about what's happening to us, but what's happening within us.

1. Acknowledging the Storm Within

Jonah found himself in a storm not just because of external circumstances, but because of an internal struggle—a struggle that began when he chose to run from God’s call. Jonah’s decision to flee to Tarshish instead of going to Nineveh, as God had commanded, was rooted in disobedience, fear, and perhaps even prejudice against the people of Nineveh. This inward turmoil manifested in an outward storm, threatening not only his life but the lives of those around him.

Church, we need to understand that the storms we face in life can often be traced back to what’s going on inside of us. It’s easy to point fingers, to blame others, or to attribute our troubles to bad luck or external forces. But sometimes, the real source of the storm is within our own hearts.

Unresolved Conflict:An inward issue that can stir up storms is unresolved conflict. Matthew 5:23-24 tells us, “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” Jesus emphasized the importance of resolving conflicts quickly because unresolved issues create an undercurrent of tension that can erupt into a full-blown storm. That tension can affect not only our relationship with others but also our relationship with God.

Unchecked Attitudes: Another source of storms is unchecked attitudes—things like pride, bitterness, envy, and anger. Jonah’s attitude toward Nineveh was one of disdain. He didn’t want God to show mercy to the Ninevites, and that attitude led him to disobey God’s direct command. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” If we allow negative attitudes to take root in our hearts, they will eventually manifest in our actions, leading to storms in our lives.

When we talk about acknowledging the storm within, we’re talking about taking a good, hard look at ourselves. It’s about being honest with God and with ourselves about what’s really going on inside. Are we harboring sin? Are we holding onto anger or unforgiveness? Are we resisting God’s call in our lives because of fear or pride? Jonah had to come to a point where he acknowledged that the storm was his fault. It wasn’t the sailors’ fault; it wasn’t just bad weather—it was his own disobedience that brought the storm. And church, we have to be willing to do the same. We must acknowledge that the source of the storm might not be out there—it might be right here in our own hearts. This is not easy. It takes humility to admit that we might be the problem. It takes courage to confront the sin, the unresolved conflicts, and the negative attitudes that we’ve allowed to fester. But until we do, the storm will continue to rage, and no amount of external effort will calm it. The first step toward peace, toward outward change, is to acknowledge the storm within and bring it before God in repentance and surrender.

2. The Hard Decision to Cast Out

After Jonah acknowledged that the storm was his fault, he faced a tough decision—one that we all must confront at some point in our lives. Jonah knew that to calm the storm, something drastic had to be done. He couldn’t just keep sailing on, hoping the storm would pass. He couldn’t keep running from God’s call and expect things to get better. So, he told the sailors to throw him overboard.

This was no small thing. Jonah was essentially telling them to sacrifice him to save themselves. It was a moment of deep realization and surrender. Jonah recognized that his disobedience was the root cause of the chaos, and he was willing to do whatever it took to bring peace, even if it meant facing the consequences head-on.

A. Confronting the Inward Struggle:We often find ourselves in a similar situation when dealing with the storms in our lives. It’s one thing to acknowledge that the storm is caused by something within us—sin, unresolved conflict, or a wrong attitude. But it’s another thing entirely to do what it takes to deal with it. The decision to cast out the thing that’s causing the storm is hard because it requires us to confront our inward struggles in a very real and often painful way.

Think about the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-22. He came to Jesus asking what he needed to do to gain eternal life. Jesus told him to sell all he had and give to the poor. The young man went away sad because he had great wealth. The decision to give up what was most important to him was too hard. He couldn’t cast out the attachment to his wealth, and it cost him the peace and joy he was seeking.

The same is true for us. Casting out the inward thing often means giving up something we’ve held onto for a long time. It could be a habit, a relationship, a mindset, or even a sense of control. These things can feel like they’re part of us, and the thought of letting them go is scary. But until we do, the storm will continue to rage.

B. Recognizing What Needs to Be Cast Out:Before we can cast something out, we need to recognize what it is. For Jonah, it was his disobedience and refusal to follow God’s call. For us, it could be something different. It might be an addiction that’s been secretly controlling our lives. It might be bitterness that’s been poisoning our relationships. It might be pride that’s been keeping us from admitting our need for help. Whatever it is, we need to identify it clearly.

In Hebrews 12:1, we are encouraged to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” The imagery here is of a runner shedding anything that might slow them down. It’s not just about sin; it’s about anything that hinders our walk with God. What is it in your life that’s holding you back from running the race God has set before you? What needs to be cast out so that you can move forward?

C. Taking Action:Once we recognize what needs to be cast out, we have to take action. This is where the rubber meets the road. Jonah didn’t just acknowledge that he was the cause of the storm—he took the necessary action, even though it meant being thrown into the sea. He was willing to face the consequences of his disobedience in order to bring peace.

In our own lives, taking action might mean confessing our sins to God and asking for His forgiveness. It might mean ending a relationship that’s leading us away from God’s will. It might mean seeking help for an addiction or a destructive behavior. It might mean humbling ourselves and asking someone we’ve wronged for forgiveness. Whatever it is, it requires courage and trust in God’s plan.

It’s important to note that the sailors initially tried to row back to shore instead of throwing Jonah overboard. They thought they could fix the problem on their own. How often do we do the same? We try to manage our sin, control our circumstances, or fix our problems on our own terms. But until we deal with the root issue—until we cast out the thing that’s causing the storm—we’ll never find peace.

3. The Peace That Follows Obedience

When Jonah was finally thrown into the sea, the storm immediately stopped. The peace that followed wasn’t just for Jonah—it was for everyone on that ship. Church, when we finally let go of the inward things that are causing turmoil in our lives, God brings a peace that only He can provide. This peace not only affects us but also those around us. Our obedience has a ripple effect.

Look at the response of the sailors. They went from fearing the storm to fearing the Lord. They offered sacrifices and made vows to God. Your willingness to cast out the inward things that hinder you can be a powerful testimony to those around you. The change God brings in your life can lead others to know Him more deeply.

Conclusion:

As we close today, I want each of us to take a moment to reflect on our own lives. What is the inward thing that’s causing the storm in your life? What needs to be cast out so that you can experience the peace that God desires for you?

Jonah’s story didn’t end when he was thrown into the sea. God had already prepared a way to save him—a great fish to swallow him and give him a second chance. When we are willing to cast out what’s holding us back, God doesn’t leave us to sink—He rescues us, restores us, and sets us on the right path.

So today, let’s be bold enough to confront the inward things in our lives, to cast them out, and to trust God to bring about the outward change that we so desperately need. Amen.