Good day friends
Please do not misunderstand the messages that I preach. I am in no way saying as a Christian one should be a "doormat" - in all healthy relationships we need to have boundaries and after being long suffering one needs to just say STOP! Anger is a normal healthy emotion that God gave us. There is an example of Jesus getting angry in the word. I once read a book by Dr Charles Stanley that stated depression was really anger turned inside. If we do not express the emotion of anger there can be many repercussions from that.
Here is what God’s word says about Anger:
Ephesians 4
26 Be angry [at sin—at immorality, at injustice, at ungodly behavior], yet do not sin; do not let your anger [cause you shame, nor allow it to] last until the sun goes down.(C)27 And do not give the devil an opportunity [to lead you into sin by holding a grudge, or nurturing anger, or harboring resentment, or cultivating bitterness]
Anger must be cushioned by the fruit of the Spirit...LOVE with the by product of self control. One's intention while being angry should be about expressing how one feels and not in any way damaging anothers character or demeaning them.
Imagine Jesus speaking to Peter and saying "Get thee behind me Satan"! It should really be okay to identify the Spirits motivating another's behaviour as we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against demonic assignments operating from the kingdom of darkness. We really need discernment from God. Individuals are not necessarily ready to receive this though sometimes as they may not be teachable at all and hold themselves in a lofty position. Please note the enemy often sends assignments to cause division between some individuals who should pray together, as their agreement prayers will make a difference in doing damage to the kingdom of darkness.
Here are some guidelines from scripture verses about Anger:
Proverbs 14:29 ESV Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
James 1:20 ESV For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Proverbs 15:1 ESV A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
James 1:19 ESV / Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
Ecclesiastes 7:9 ESV Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.
Proverbs 19:11 ESV Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
And last but not least
Psalm 37:8
Cease from anger and abandon wrath;
Do not fret; it leads only to evil
I have really learned over the years the awesome response that comes when we approach someone with "Let's talk about this.What happened here?"
Instead of just angrily shouting. Shouting, labelling and name calling, automatically puts the other person on the defensive and causes more resistance than mediation and reconciliation.
At all times at the end of conflict following biblical principles we will have mutual understanding and reconciliation.
Think on these carefully before getting angry and going "ballistic":
1 One year ahead will I be angry about this matter?
2 Have I exercised long suffering and taken time out to think before speaking?
3 Is there another way I could resolve this (like writing a letter)?
4 What will the long term repercussions be when I submit to the fleshly response of just "loosing it"?
5 Do I need to respond to this "bad behaviour" and these accusations?
I must admit this is an area I am working on as sometimes I still defend myself and therefore get drawn in to arguments, just a few times though, because as I grow in God it gets less and less.
Remember God is a just God, he will defend you in every situation. It just takes time and we need to wait on God’s timing
That word again WAIT! (LOL)
I had closed my message and then I heard God say to add these points
6 While angry it is imperative we listen, listen, listen to what the other person is saying. We may find sometimes it is our own perception of the situation and not what the other person meant at all. It is PRIDE that makes us not listen to another.
7 Be careful to restore someone after you have expressed your anger - if they have humbled themselves. If not leave it in God's hands and bless them. Love believes the best and therefore we should believe God will eventually work this out and turn it around in such a way that will give him glory
Amen
Please note God wants you in no relationships where you are suffering abuse. If suffering abuse in any form, get help and move away from that situation.
I hope this study will help you and I want to leave you with one more point:
Here is the definition of Rebuke:
to speak angrily to someone because you disapprove of what they have said or done
Reprimand, reproach.
I will speak about this in my next message on Thursday.
Hear about Jesus getting angry too.
We can certainly find truth in God’s word as that is where we will find all the answers to all of life's questions and guidelines to follow in our everyday journey.
Walk Good in Christ
Till we meet again
Pastor J
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