I cannot believe it, but I totally lost my temper and expressed anger loudly last evening over a silly domino game. That has not happened in my life for years. The dear brother, whom I focused my venom, and I reconciled our relationship last evening and touched base again early this AM. I am assured that we are back in good stead today. My biggest problem is me. I allowed this to happen in my life and recognize this anger emanated from a sinful heart. Candidly, I am having problems forgiving “me”.
Let’s take a quick look at anger and what the Bible says about it:
- Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger (Ephesians 4:26). Get anger out of your life. It is spiritual cancer.
- “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19&20). Nothing righteous comes from anger…not one thing.
- “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless” (James 1:26). Ouch, as I reflect on last evening!
- “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).
According to God’s Word, anger has no place in the life of a person who seeks to live a Godly life.
As I am restored back into fellowship with the Lord, there are several things to consider:
- “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
- “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:13&14). Christ paid the debt of my sin and now because of this, I have no condemnation knowing He paid in total for my sin.
- I have learned that if “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). I can walk in Him without guilt.
- Now, Jesus desires for me to “walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). The wait of my sin has been lifted off my shoulder as “I walk in the light” enjoying His presence and fellowship.
I did something last night that was stupid, but I don’t have to wallow in my stupidity. Hebrews 12:1&2 makes this clear, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.” If you are sloshing around in your own foolishness, go humbly and make it right immediately.
I pray that you, your family, and friends will enjoy each other and most importantly, Jesus, during Thanksgiving Day and weekend!
Barnabas Man 