Anger
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgement. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
Matthew 5:21-22
Anger is a sin I have wrestled with for many years. I did a little bit of reading about anger before writing this blog. I think the psychologists generally back up the Bible when they say that anger is a normal emotional response to certain situations and behaviours. However, when anger becomes out of control or is a result of deeper issues - it can be destructive.
In His sermon. Jesus highlights anger as a form of sin that we might be tempted to excuse. We know we shouldn’t murder. But we just accept our anger issues as part of who we are or the fault of the one/s who made us angry.
Jesus says no. The point of His law is loving others. And so often the way we express our anger isn’t loving to others. Whether that’s a volcanic outburst of emotion, words and actions. Or silent brooding about their faults and uselessness.
He encourages His people to reflect on their hearts, minds and behaviours. Is there a brother or sister you are angry towards? Is it your wife, your kids, someone else in your family? Are you right to be angry (you might be)? Or is it that you have been unfair to them?
Questions are often the key to unlocking sin and understanding its nature and prevention. What are the patterns of your anger? What causes you to get angry? How could you avoid those situations? What’s going on deep down in your heart or mind for you to feel the way you do? Are you reinforcing some of those feelings by replaying the hurt or frustration over in your head?
Don’t let anger be your downfall today.
For Today:
Pray:
Matthew 5:21-22
Anger is a sin I have wrestled with for many years. I did a little bit of reading about anger before writing this blog. I think the psychologists generally back up the Bible when they say that anger is a normal emotional response to certain situations and behaviours. However, when anger becomes out of control or is a result of deeper issues - it can be destructive.
In His sermon. Jesus highlights anger as a form of sin that we might be tempted to excuse. We know we shouldn’t murder. But we just accept our anger issues as part of who we are or the fault of the one/s who made us angry.
Jesus says no. The point of His law is loving others. And so often the way we express our anger isn’t loving to others. Whether that’s a volcanic outburst of emotion, words and actions. Or silent brooding about their faults and uselessness.
He encourages His people to reflect on their hearts, minds and behaviours. Is there a brother or sister you are angry towards? Is it your wife, your kids, someone else in your family? Are you right to be angry (you might be)? Or is it that you have been unfair to them?
Questions are often the key to unlocking sin and understanding its nature and prevention. What are the patterns of your anger? What causes you to get angry? How could you avoid those situations? What’s going on deep down in your heart or mind for you to feel the way you do? Are you reinforcing some of those feelings by replaying the hurt or frustration over in your head?
Don’t let anger be your downfall today.
For Today:
- Reflect on the last time you got really angry? What caused it?
- Can you identify any patterns to your anger?
- Spend 5 minutes in prayer confessing your sins and asking for God’s help to help you understand and act righteously in regards to anger.
Pray:
- Praise the Father that His anger is only ever righteous.
- Give thanks for Jesus whose deepest anger was reserved for sin and Satan.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others pursue love of others and flee anger.
Posted in Matthew
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