Love as Brethren – Don’t be irritable!

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.

Primary Text

“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren …” 1 Peter 3v8 (KJV)

1 Corinthians 13v5 tells us that Love “is not easily provoked” (KJV); “it is not easily angered” (NIV); “It is not irritable” (NLT); “it is not touchy or fretful or resentful (AMP); “Doesn’t fly off the handle,” (MSG). The Bible tells us that “He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is hasty of spirit exposes and exalts his folly.” (Proverbs 14v29, AMP). When one is angry, you may do, or say something that you would later on go on regret. Love is not easily angered. Sometimes we find ourselves getting easily irritable, or upset, or annoyed with one another – but that isn’t love. To be irritable is to be “quickly irritated; easily annoyed; peevish” (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/irritable?s=t), while anger is “a strong feeling of displeasure and belligerence aroused by a wrong…a feeling of great annoyance or antagonism as the result of some real or supposed grievance; rage; wrath” (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/anger?s=t). Psalm 86v15 (NIV) tells us that
“But You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” Our God is slow to anger. Ephesians 4v26 (AMP) says “When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down.”

Supplementary Text

“Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener,] slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry. For man’s anger does not promote the righteousness God [wishes and requires].” James 1v19-20 (AMP)

Father, I thank You for Your love for me. Father, we know from Your Word that man’s anger does not work Your righteousness. Please Father, remove every inclination towards anger in my life. Help me not to be easily irritated and to be patient and understanding with others in Jesus name, amen.