I want to apply the passage James 1:19-20 to our personal relationships. I have seen the sin of anger rip apart Christian families and churches. Unbridled anger is a devastating sin that always creates distance in relationships. It destroys your children. It never accomplishes anything good. You might as well throw a bomb into your living room while your family is sitting there! Jesus labeled anger as the root sin behind murder (Matthew 5:21-22). Before Cain committed the first murder in history, God con-fronted him with the question (Genesis 4:6), “Why are you angry?” It’s not a bad question to ask yourself when you’re angry. Paul warned that unchecked anger gives the devil a foothold in your life (Ephesians 4:26-27). And yet it is tolerated in many homes and churches. Sure, we excuse it as hereditary or justify it as “righteous anger.” But you can pretty much assume that it is not righteous! It almost always stems from selfishness or pride: I didn’t get my way, and I want my way, and I’m going to threaten everyone around me until I get my way! But we need to listen to what James says: “the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” Paul clearly labels “enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, [and] factions” as deeds of the flesh (Gal 5:20 - note). He warns, “that those who practice (present tense = as their routine lifestyle) such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:21) That’s a strong warning! Take it to heart! If you can’t make it through a week without yelling, name-calling, throwing things, threats, or giving your mate the silent treatment, you’re an angry person. You need to face the problem and take drastic steps to root it out of your life if you want to inherit the kingdom of God! Begin by confronting it on the thought level. If you’re thinking angry thoughts against your mate or children or parents or ________ (fill in the blank), you’re already sinning against God and against them. Cut it off at the thought level by judging your sin and putting on a heart of compassion, forgiveness, and love (Colossians 3:12-14).
Posted on: Sun, 06 Oct 2013 11:53:04 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015