"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil" Ephesians 4:26-27
Aren't you glad God gives us some freedom to be angry! I am so thankful for that addendum God put on that verse, "and do not sin". I must confess, there are times I have been angry. When I have to clean up after my dog because she has gotten into the garbage while we have been gone, and we find trash all over the kitchen and living room, I've been angry! When my car has a flat tire and I have to spend all day in Knoxville at the most inopportune times, I have been angry. When someone has said or done something that has upset my wife or kids, I have been angry. When Satan has sent discouragement and strife into the life of my church family, I have been angry. When I see and hear the name of my Savior being misused and trampled, I get angry. On and on I could go. Anger is not a sin, it's what you allow it to do to you and what you do with it that determines the outcome. If you allow anger to fester and boil over. If you allow your anger toward an individual to hinder forgiveness. If you dwell on events that, with every thought, bring you to a rage. If you allow strife and discouragement to win over joy and peace. These and other attitudes reflect sin. How do we control what anger does for us? God's Word tells us in the previous verses. "that you put off, concerning the former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your MIND, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." That's the answer, just as we looked at Sunday. What we do with anger is a matter of the mind! You don't give Satan a foothold with your anger! In Christ, you and I are new a new creation. Old things, past anger, present hostility is given over the Mind of Christ established in the life of a believer. So, it's a good thing I have put my faith in Jesus Christ and surrendered my heart and mind to Him. Otherwise, I have a dog I am willing to give away!!!!!
Aren't you glad God gives us some freedom to be angry! I am so thankful for that addendum God put on that verse, "and do not sin". I must confess, there are times I have been angry. When I have to clean up after my dog because she has gotten into the garbage while we have been gone, and we find trash all over the kitchen and living room, I've been angry! When my car has a flat tire and I have to spend all day in Knoxville at the most inopportune times, I have been angry. When someone has said or done something that has upset my wife or kids, I have been angry. When Satan has sent discouragement and strife into the life of my church family, I have been angry. When I see and hear the name of my Savior being misused and trampled, I get angry. On and on I could go. Anger is not a sin, it's what you allow it to do to you and what you do with it that determines the outcome. If you allow anger to fester and boil over. If you allow your anger toward an individual to hinder forgiveness. If you dwell on events that, with every thought, bring you to a rage. If you allow strife and discouragement to win over joy and peace. These and other attitudes reflect sin. How do we control what anger does for us? God's Word tells us in the previous verses. "that you put off, concerning the former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your MIND, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." That's the answer, just as we looked at Sunday. What we do with anger is a matter of the mind! You don't give Satan a foothold with your anger! In Christ, you and I are new a new creation. Old things, past anger, present hostility is given over the Mind of Christ established in the life of a believer. So, it's a good thing I have put my faith in Jesus Christ and surrendered my heart and mind to Him. Otherwise, I have a dog I am willing to give away!!!!!
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