Bible Thoughts March 29, 1998
"Be ye angry and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil"(Ephesians 4:26-27).
One can be angry and not sin. Jesus was angry with the Pharisees of his day because of the hardness of their hearts(Mark 3:5). These hypocrites had sought to find some evidence to accuse Christ so the Lord would no longer be around to expose their unrighteousness. Jesus had just cause to be angry, but he did not remain angry. Performing a good work, the Pharisees were forced to go from his presence. The anger of the Pharisees, however, led them to begin to plot to have Jesus killed.
While writing this, a tragedy occurred near Jonesboro, Arkansas(I worked in that district three years). Two youngsters, with rifles, opened fire on students and teachers after a fire alarm had emptied the building. It is reported that one was angry over rejection by a "girl friend." These two children were 11 and 13 years old. The result of that anger caused five deaths and several injuries. Uncontrolled anger is disastrous! And think of the sorrow that it brings.
Paul said we can be angry, but we are not to sin in our anger. The strength to contain one's temper under trying circumstances is the mark of a righteous person. One may make me angry, but I do not have to stay angry.
"Let not the sun go down upon your wrath" is the approach for the Christian. The harboring of anger in one's heart is devastating. There are emotional and physical consequences in such behavior. Find the cause of the anger, deal with it, and proceed to live the life of a disciple.
Don Bassett, preaching on Joseph last Monday in Ocala, pointed out how this young man was mistreated by so many of his day. If ever a man had a right to be angry, surely Joseph did. Yet, he controlled his emotions and lived a life that was pleasing to Jehovah. In the discussion, brother Bassett quoted some authorities that said depression(a real problem in our age) was the result of keeping anger within oneself.
Personal losses and disappointments are often the source of a person's anger. The brother of the prodigal was too angry to associate with his repentant brother. His father tried to calm his anger by pointing out that he would lose nothing in forgiving his brother and being a part in welcoming him home(Luke 15:28-32). Anger can deprive a person of many of life's reward including the joy of forgiveness and the privilege of association.
When one sins against another, anger can(and often does) result. The Lord taught us how we are to deal with such in Matthew 5:22-25. We are to "be reconciled to thy brother." If one sins against another, that one should seek forgiveness of the one who has been offended. If one has been sinned against, the offended should approach the offender and seek reconciliation. If both do what Jesus said, anger will disappear. However, if the anger in one(or both) hearts continues to ferment, only spiritual disaster can be the result.
Anger is harmful to the body, to the heart, and to the soul. It can cause one to sin. The control of anger is up to the individual who is angry. When becoming angry, it is right to look at the reason for the anger. The next step is to solve the cause of the anger. If it cannot be solved, master the anger, and--never let the anger master you. Is that not what Paul meant, "Be ye angry and sin not?"
When anger controls me instead of me controlling my anger, I have given "place to the devil."
"Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ"(I Thessalonians 1:1).
In most of the epistles written by Paul, he mentioned that he desired peace to be with the saints. The absence of conflict would certainly make for a healthy relationship among the disciples of his day. It is no different at present.
Peace can be enjoyed by all Christians when we respect the word of God, love the Lord who died for us, and appreciate one another. Many of the problems experienced among churches have arisen in the absence of those things which promote peace. Paul said, "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another"(Romans 14:19). Our attention should be focused on living peaceable with each other, edifying one another, and building each other up in the faith.
In order to have peace with others, one must first make peace with oneself and God. Once this has been accomplished, there is little doubt that one will make peace with others. In such an atmosphere, the individual Christian can grow spiritually and brethren will grow close to each other.
I am personally thankful for the excellent relationship that exists among the saints in the Golden Triangle. Such an atmosphere promotes peace within oneself as well as peace with each other. The Lord's church will function, work, and progress under such circumstances.