A Certain Kind of Slowness!

Hello everyone,

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

Primary 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)

One definition of anger is: “a feeling of great annoyance or antagonism as the result of some real or supposed grievance.” The Bible even says “Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul (Proverbs 22v24-25, NLT). Sometimes, the anger is real, and can be warranted, but the Bible reminds us to be angry, but sin not (see Ephesians 4v26 below). However, it could be a thin line between anger and sin. We need to be slow to anger. As one commentary put it: “The Bible doesn’t tell us that we shouldn’t feel angry, but it points out that it is important to handle our anger properly. If vented thoughtlessly, anger can hurt others and destroy relationships. If bottled up inside, it can cause us to become bitter and destroy us from within. Paul tells us to deal with our anger immediately in a way that builds relationships rather than destroys them. If we nurse our anger, we will give Satan an opportunity to divide us. Are you angry with someone right now? What can you do to resolve your differences? Don’t let the day end before you begin to work on mending your relationship.” (The NIV Cross Reference System). As James 1v20 shows us, man’s anger does not promote the righteousness God wishes and requires.

Supplementary Text

“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” Ephesians 4v25-27 (NIV)

Prayer

Father Lord, I thank You for Your Word this day. Father, I ask for grace to release everyone who has hurt me and whom I am angry with. I release them today in Jesus name, amen. Lord, please grant me wisdom on how to mend any broken relationship. Please heal any hurt I may have experienced, and if there is anyone I may have offended or who is angry with me right now, please grant them the grace to forgive me in Jesus name, amen. Let things that need to be spoken be spoken, in love and let Your name be glorified in Jesus name, amen.