Don't Hang Onto Anger--It Will Inhibit The Work of God

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I’m including my thoughts on today’s passage before the passage itself; I hope this is helps you get the most out of your reading. (And you know that in February I’m writing new commentary each day, not just cutting-and-pasting from January, right? I do it because I love you, here in my sweatshop churning out posts for you. Hope everyone had a happy Valentine’s Day.)

 

It strikes me that one of the key themes of this passage in Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians is anger—not that anger in itself is the problem, but rather that the holding onto, enflaming, and nursing of anger is the problem.

Anger will come. Because the world is in rebellion against the Lord, the people of God will experience righteous anger when the beautiful creation the Lord called into being is marred, scarred, torn.

Don’t ever forget that Jesus flipped over the tables of the money-changers.

And yet it seems to me that our problem is not that we get angry, but that, once angry, we choose to hold onto it tightly.

I think this is what Paul is getting at with his twinned instructions:

  • “be angry, and do not sin” and

  • “don’t let the sun go down on your anger”

So much of what he warns against—”Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice”—either directly result from holding onto anger or is impossible unless we let go of anger—”Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

So, whom do you need to forgive today? Remember, forgiveness is giving up your desire to get even and giving that need for justice over to God.

What anger are you still holding onto today?

Let it go.

 
 

Today’s Reading: Ephesians 4:25-32

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.