“Let all
bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with
all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
just as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32 NKJ)
bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with
all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
just as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32 NKJ)
In the human course
of events, we are sometimes so stressed or depressed or tired that we fail to
keep firm control of our selves. Drastic mood swings can also trigger our
response to others. It is rarely clear what brings on the outburst, even to the
one who bursts out. This is not to justify or excuse our angry words or acts.
of events, we are sometimes so stressed or depressed or tired that we fail to
keep firm control of our selves. Drastic mood swings can also trigger our
response to others. It is rarely clear what brings on the outburst, even to the
one who bursts out. This is not to justify or excuse our angry words or acts.
As children, we are
taught to count to ten, pray the Lord’s Prayer, repeat the 23rd Psalm, take a
walk, and other forms of relaxation. Yet, we can be like gasoline or other
explosive material. When the spark occurs combustion is immediate and doesn’t
give time for thought or walk. An excuse like, “I can’t help it. It
happens before I can think” doesn’t justify it or excuse it either. It is
something that disciples of Christ know must be controlled by the Holy Spirit.
taught to count to ten, pray the Lord’s Prayer, repeat the 23rd Psalm, take a
walk, and other forms of relaxation. Yet, we can be like gasoline or other
explosive material. When the spark occurs combustion is immediate and doesn’t
give time for thought or walk. An excuse like, “I can’t help it. It
happens before I can think” doesn’t justify it or excuse it either. It is
something that disciples of Christ know must be controlled by the Holy Spirit.
Bitterness, wrath,
anger, clamor (screaming), evil speaking and malice are all spiritual issues
that will cause physical chaos and illness. They cause chaos in relationships.
They cause physical illness in the one who is ruled by them. Of course, everyone
is not a screamer, blasting out verbally or violently. Instead, they ingest
their bitter emotions absorbing their anger and wrath and malice, but it is
just as real and spiritually harmful.
anger, clamor (screaming), evil speaking and malice are all spiritual issues
that will cause physical chaos and illness. They cause chaos in relationships.
They cause physical illness in the one who is ruled by them. Of course, everyone
is not a screamer, blasting out verbally or violently. Instead, they ingest
their bitter emotions absorbing their anger and wrath and malice, but it is
just as real and spiritually harmful.
Through prayer and
fasting and learning the Word of God, the spiritual turmoil behind anger and
its buddies will surrender to the control of the Holy Spirit. And the peace
that results will be invigorating. Responding tenderly with forgiveness is a
most powerful victory, both for the responder and the recipients of the
response. Look at God’s response to us: in Christ he forgave us.
fasting and learning the Word of God, the spiritual turmoil behind anger and
its buddies will surrender to the control of the Holy Spirit. And the peace
that results will be invigorating. Responding tenderly with forgiveness is a
most powerful victory, both for the responder and the recipients of the
response. Look at God’s response to us: in Christ he forgave us.
Dear Father, thank
for your tender forgiving response to us and our sin. Enable us to release
bitterness and anger and screaming and evil speaking and malice. Enable us to
tenderly forgive others their trespasses against us. I pray this prayer in the
name of Jesus. AMEN
for your tender forgiving response to us and our sin. Enable us to release
bitterness and anger and screaming and evil speaking and malice. Enable us to
tenderly forgive others their trespasses against us. I pray this prayer in the
name of Jesus. AMEN
Put away from you
anger and its buddies today,
anger and its buddies today,