This is a continuation of my recent devotion on anger. I realize that many books have been written on this subject. Many people are in therapy for anger. Even Christian people - go figure! As you know, anger is a secondary emotion, meaning why we get angry is because there is something at the root – working behind the scenes – and the life situation you are facing merely serves as a catalyst or opportunity for our anger to rise up.
I also realize that people can find a number of verses in the Bible that would suggest that anger is actually “OK”. Suggesting that it is not actually a sin. But anger is like a loaded pistol. The gun can go off by accident or can be used for harm intentionally. It can be indiscriminate, hurting the innocent as well as the guilty. Anger can be so dominant that the easiest thing is to yield to it and not resist. But my point is that accepting anger – even rage, is not consistent with your new life in Christ.
Most people are not looking for opportunities to be angry … Those opportunities come suddenly upon us, like an ambush, with ferocity. Then it is over – the smoke clears – the causalities lie wounded all around. And we say to ourselves, hoping it is true, that “It’s not a sin to be angry.” Often in an effort to justify the harm we have done. So what to do.
First – understand, and accept, that Anger is not a fruit of the Spirit but of the flesh - our old nature. (Galatians 5: 19-21) “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:22-23) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
These verses contrast the differences between your old life in the flesh and your new life submitted to the Spirit of God – the Spirit that is in you (1 Corinthians 6:19) “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own” How can we reconcile anger and the damage it does with our new nature and the fruit that it bears? I’ll answer that. We can’t!
Second – Have you ever heard or said “You make me so angry!”? No one can “make” you angry. But they can provide the opportunity for you to express anger. Everything is going along fine then the ambush is sprung and you find yourself in the “kill zone”. In ambush-eze, the kill zone is the place where most all of the fire power is directed. Anyone in that area when the ambush starts is a gonner. The only way to not be a gonner is to do what makes no sense at the time, face the firing and charge it – fighting your way through it. It is your only hope of survival. In this case, the best defense is a good offense! When you are getting angry, you need to recognize it immediately and deal with it spiritually. Like salvation – you can’t succeed by trying harder. You need to attack with the sword of the Lord. The ambush is within – it’s not the circumstance that gave rise to the anger.
No temptation has overtaken you [including anger] except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. - 1Corinthians 10:13
Third – The best thing to do is to avoid the ambush altogether. To see the signs of danger and go another way. That requires discernment which comes from the Spirit which requires the discipline of seeking God and hiding the Word in your heart (Psalm 119:11) I recall an a time at ROTC advance camp at Fort Bragg, N.C. It was my turn to lead the platoon during a training exercise in the woods. I was leading the platoon on the most secure route and not necessarily on the fastest route to our objective. That meant that we cut across difficult terrain. I reached our objective without incident. Afterwards, I was told that there had been an ambush set up and waiting for us at an intersection along the road, (the most obvious and easiest route) that I had bypassed. The ambush didn't happen because we never showed up.
You must be sensitive to the signs of an anger ambush and avoid them. We choose how we respond to life – in the power of our flesh or in the power of the Spirit of God. Your success will depend upon your training and preparation. Most Christians lack an enthusiasm for spiritual growth and maturity. They are content with keeping a firm grasp on their ticket to heaven and talking about how much they love the Lord – around other Christians. But when faced with the withering fire of a deadly ambush – they falter and fail.
Perhaps you are thinking that avoiding anger is impossible. It is not any more impossible than the Son of God dying for your sin and you receiving eternal life. If God can do that, why would you think that your problem with anger is bigger than that? You need to deal with the root of the problem. Paul talks about this in Romans 7:21-25
I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
You don’t need to try harder – you need to Faith harder.
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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