Love... Is NOT Easily Angered
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
Proverbs 14:29 (ESV)
Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm.
Psalm 37:8 (NLT)
To avoid the label of “hypocrite”, I choose to confess my personal mess: anger is a test I’ve failed too often.* I'm better than I was, but still challenged. I’m not the Christian I want to be. Yet.
A sobering note for people like me:
Our Teacher compares anger to murder.** Why? Because an angry person's shotgun mouth can “murder” someone else’s destiny, as in killing their confidence or dreams. God forbid!
Yet the Bible speaks of righteous anger: perhaps when we’re defending a victim, protecting our Father’s reputation, or addressing great wrongs within the church.
Know this: Righteous anger is led by the Spirit, always controlled, and never mean-hearted. It doesn’t last long. Nor does it “simmer”.
The Word says, 'Be angry, and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil' (Ephesians 4:26-27).
Consider 3 points:
If feeling angry is not (yet) a sin, then expressing without restraint… IS. Therefore, be quiet, leave, and pray it up. Regain God’s peace, return, and speak calmly.
As our Father clearly says in His Word, staying angry (as day turns into night)… extends an invitation to Satan. (I’ve been there. God forbid I repeat it.)
Dwelling in anger is unforgiveness. No matter how justified it may seem, it brings a torturous imprisonment that keeps victims and loved ones from healing.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
Too many Christians are led by anger. They rant at the world, but God LOVES the world. They wave hateful signs, but Christ rose above. They hammer hard nails, but love never fails.
You, too, rise in the skies of media. Let love always be your opening line, the crux of your statement, and closing point.
Love Is NOT Easily Angered (Part 17)
* Two good articles:
Dealing With Your Anger (Colossians 3:8): https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-18-dealing-your-anger-colossians-38
Dealing with Anger...God's Way by Joyce Meyer: Dealing with Anger... God's Way
** 'You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire' (Matthew 5:21-22, NKJV).
** Short article: 'Why did Jesus warn against saying the word 'raca' in Matthew 5:22?' Why did Jesus warn against saying the word 'raca' in Matthew 5:22? | GotQuestions.org
** Jesus forgives us. Who are we not to forgive others? Only God can judge the severity of a sin: not us.
Love… Is NOT Easily Angered (Part 17)
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re all called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re all called to models of Jesus, and we all have gifts, talents, and a commission to multiply them in the world for His glory.
P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend DAILY BIBLE READING.
WARNING: Don’t focus on your favorite verses, because taken out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!