Anger is not character
21st March 2021
“The evil act of somebody is not a catalyst that provokes an evil act from you. In fact, it is a dissolvent that reveals the hidden feelings inside of you.”
If we study the Scriptures in Romans 12, from verse 17, it says:
“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.”
Romans 12:17 NKJV
•> Acting badly or wickedly doesn’t have to do anything with the person in front of you, but it has everything to do with the person inside of you; i.e. You.
•> Your reaction is nothing else but a response, with what is in your heart, to what they threw at you.
•> When they have done evil to you and your reaction is evil, this means you also have evil inside of you. Doing evil to someone is evil, not justice.
•> There is no excuse for doing evil to someone. The fact that one has hurt you doesn’t give you the right to hurt him/her back. That’s your personal issue, not theirs.
•> Anger is not character. Anger shouldn’t be a catalyst to your reactions. Anger shouldn’t control your acts. Contention shouldn’t have room in your heart.
•> The more you feed your anger, the more it grows. Anger is an emotion but strife comes forth from it when it is cultivated.
““Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.”
Ephesians 4:26-27 NKJV
The Bible is clear when it says that we shouldn’t sin when we are angry. This simply shows that anger is likely to lead us to sin.
“for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
James 1:20 NKJV
In this world in which we live, we will undergo wickedness, injustice, evil and all sorts of things from others, and we might also cause others pain by acting so. But all in all, God calls us to peace.
v18 continues by saying:
“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”
Romans 12:18 NKJV
And in Hebrews, it is told:
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:”
Hebrews 12:14 NKJV
Without making the effort of living peaceably, we might all become blinded to see God no more. God is Love and His Kingdom is Peace. Without peace, we walk in darkness, short of His Glory and His Grace.
Jesus showed us the way of forgiveness through His Teachings, but also through His own sacrifice at the cross when He utterly says to the Father : “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34).
He declares in Matthews :
““Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.”
Matthew 18:15-17 NKJV
Our reaction to evil should be peace. The person doing wronging us is him/herself facing some issues. Do not stir up the anger but rather offer peace where there is contention.
“A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention.”
Proverbs 15:18 NKJV
In Luke, He says:
““But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.”
Luke 6:27-31 NKJV
Now, you might be going through persecution and injustice. Maybe you are unfairly treated, judged and all, but remember this:
“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
Colossians 4:6 NKJV
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If they tell you you don’t pray long enough, tell them that the apostles Peter, John and James couldn’t stand an hour with The Lord (Matthew 26:40).
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If they tell you you don’t have enough knowledge about God’s Word, tell them that Apollos was effective in the little knowledge He had of God’s Word (Acts 18:24-25).
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If they tell you you’re not worthy of standing to worship The Lord, tell them that Mary’s worship surpassed the Pharisee’s invitation (Luke 7:44-47).
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If they tell you you’re lazy ’cause you just pray and don’t work enough for The Lord, tell them that that’s the portion that will never be taken away from you (Luke 10:40-42).
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But all in all, let The Gospel be your response. Let your word be Holy Spirit led. Let your speech have love as a motivation, and edify where they are trying to destroy you.
Jumping to v20-21, as a conclusion:
“Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:20-21 NKJV
True victory is in The Lord Jesus 🙌🏿
Let love be your weapon to foil the schemes of the devil ⚔️🛡.
You’re an overcomer 💪🏿
God bless 🙏🏿❤️
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