MAY 13

Ephesians 4:26-27
Memorise Ephesians 4:26
“Be ye angry and sin not”

Are you the sort that gets angry easily? Do you have a temper that flares up uncontrollably? Do you have a rage that seethes within you every time things do not go your way, or you feel offended or wronged? The Bible warns us that there is a sort of anger that leads to sin, described by James as the “wrath of man” which “worketh not the righteousness of God” (James 1:20). At the same time, there is also a kind of anger that we can have and yet sin not. That is the kind of anger that is justified.

In the Bible, we read of God’s wrath toward the children of Israel when they worshiped the golden calf that Aaron made. He was also angered by the murmuring and complaining of His people (Numbers 11:1) for they were faithless. Likewise there were many times that the Lord Jesus Christ was angry with the Pharisees for their hardness of heart (Mark 3:5). All these, were God’s righteous anger against sin. Christians too, ought to manifest such godly anger, which is anger that is consistent with the holy and righteous character of God. It is not explosive anger that reacts rashly to a situation. Godly anger is always under control.

Yet we must be careful. Although anger is not always sinful, it can easily lead to sin. When anger, even if it is justified, is not addressed, it can quickly become bitter and destructive. Anger may prompt us to speak to a brother in a way that causes more trouble. It should not lead to vengeance or a desire to take matters into one’s own hands. Instead we must trust in God to resolve the issue, and seek resolution in a peaceful, God honouring manner. Paul here instructs us not to “let the sun go down on our wrath.” While righteous anger is to be slow to react, it is also to be quickly dispelled. If not quickly dealt with, Satan will tempt us to have unkind thoughts among the brethren.

Dear teen, most of our anger is the “wrath of man” and not the “holy anger” of God. Anger is often selfish Are you angry because you wanted your way and didn’t get your way? If you analyse your anger, I think you’ll agree that most of it is due to simple selfishness. We must be honest and acknowledge our sin before God and direct our anger toward the sin within ourselves.

Thought: We should care more for the glory of God than for our own interests or reputation.
Prayer: Lord, may I search myself always for hidden sins in my life and deal with it before I point the finger at others.