TOPIC: PUT YOUR ANGER UNDER CONTROL



Read: Exodus 29:5-7
MEMORISE: Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath (Ephesians 4:26).

EXPOSITION
Handling anger is an important life skill. Anger can shatter communication and tear apart relationships, and it can ruin both joy and health of many people. Nevertheless, anger is not always sin. There is a type of anger of which the Bible approves, often called, “righteous indignation”. God is angry (psalm 7:11; Mark 3:1-5). Believers are allowed to be angry, but our anger should not lead us into sin (Eph. 4:26-27). Biblically, anger is God-given energy intended to help us solve problems.

We can know for sure that our anger or indignation is righteous when it is directed towards what angers God Himself. Righteous anger is justly expressed when we are confronted with sin. When Jesus got angry with the money-changers in the temple, or the self-serving Pharisees, it was because they were exploiting religion instead of using it to bring people closer to God (Matt. 2:1). Anger has turned to sin when we begin to attack the wrong doer instead of attacking the problem at hand. It also becomes sin when it is allowed to boil over without restraint, resulting in a scenario in which hurt is multiplied, leaving devastation in its wake. Often, the consequences of out-of-control anger are irreparable. For instance, when Jacob was saying his last words to his sons, he pronounced a course upon the anger of Simon and Levi. He did so not because indignation against sin us unwarrantable in itself, but because their wrath was marked by deeds of fierceness and cruelty. “Cursed be their anger for it was fierce. And their wrath, for it was cruel!” (Vs7).

The anger of these two brothers was sinful anger in the nature of it, and so criminal and detestable; it was strong, fierce, and furious in its operation and effects, and so justly cursed. Their anger was issued in the cruel and barbaric slaughter of the inhabitants of Shechem. (Gen. 34:25-30). It was execrable and abominable, both before God and men, such as deserved and brought the curse of God upon themselves. God said, “I will divide them in Israel” (v.7). What God said about them eventually came to pass. The anger you fail to control, will control you, and it can ruin your life and put your destiny in danger. Be warned!

PRAYER POINTS
1. Set me free, Oh lord, from slavery to the spirit of anger.
2. Lord, give me capacity to manage and control my emotion in time of provocation.
3. Lord, heal the couples who have emotional problem of short temperament in Jesus’ name.

EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Exodus 1:4 – 3:20; Matthew 16:1 – 16:22

Author: CAC WORLDWIDE
Remain Blessed!

http://spiritfood.com.ng/devotion/the-living-water-daily-devotional-guide-friday-january-25-2019/