Ephesians 4:26

New International Version (NIV)

“In your anger do not sin”

For Meditation

The voice on the other side grew louder. He was not going to let anybody tell him how to manage his home. Neither was he going to allow anybody (with emphasis), cause him to lose authority in his house. Then, “Click!”

I was stunned, but only a cucumber could be cooler at that point.

“You did not bang the phone on me, did you?”

“I am sorry,” he said.

Anger is an emotional outburst in reaction to a perceived wrong, offense, or attack. Like a tropical storm, it begins when something triggers agitation in the mind and the body heat begins to rise. The circumstances around feed into it, and before long, the rising and the swirling pick up speed, and a storm of destructive intensity develops. As hurricanes leave in their wake destruction and misery, so does unchecked anger.

God doesn’t forbid anger because He knows it is an inevitable natural emotion. Rather, He tells us to not allow our anger to overflow into sinful deeds (Eph. 4:26). The rising storm within us must be brought under control before it becomes destructive. That’s why James says we should be “quick to listen … and slow to become angry” (James 1:19). This allows the Holy Spirit to cool the rising temper, so that we can hear His counsel and direction. Jesus got angry (Lk. 19:45-46), but He did not sin (Heb. 4:15), because He was always submitted to the Spirit’s influence and control.

The man I call my son lost it over something a good friend said to him in reaction to his constant battering of his wife; and he turned it on me when I called, knowing he’ll hear more from the Pastor. For all abusive husbands, there is always a cause for their aggression, and they feel very strongly about its appalling nature. They become both the accuser of the other person and the justifier of themselves. God is dethroned; but don’t tell them.

1. Does that come close to you?
2. What do you do when you’re angry?
3. Do you see the ugly self, pushing itself to usurp the throne of God in your heart?
4. Do you quickly submit your thoughts to the Spirit’s control at that point and overcome it; or do you allow your emotions to run amok?
5. Do you see Jesus at all? Can you hear Him when provoked? Can you bow to Him for God’s glory?

I pray you realize that His overcoming power is always available for you to plug into  when you are pushed to anger. It is your privilege and responsibility to honor God in your anger, if indeed Jesus is your Lord.

So: May you empty yourself always and allow the Spirit of God to fill you; and may you yield to Him in your anger and experience His power at work in that situation.

Anger is deceptive and wicked, but feels good when the self is riding high.

Shalom