Daily Devotional

DO NOT JUSTIFY EVIL ANGER

December 4

hild of God, are you angry with someone right now? Are you angry enough to strike them with your fist? Regardless of what that person has done to you the Bible tells you, “The wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God.” (James 1:20) However, it also says, “be angry, and sin not.” (Ephesians 4:26) Is this in conflict? No, it is not. There is indeed a good type of anger and a bad one. Notice the word “wrath.” This type of anger is one that works destruction on another person. It wishes to annihilate or tear down another person without correcting them or rebuilding them in a holy and redeeming manner. By identifying this anger, you can examine your own feelings and “mindset” to see if you are in sin or not. The other anger is constructive. You are commanded to “love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; “(Matthew 5:44).” If your anger is expressed during your desire to correct with an ultimate redeeming heart changing attitude, then you are on target and permitted to freely express it. You are in sin against the Spirit of Christ if you are not willing to see yourself returning to that person for whom you are at war and reconciling yourself, if possible to them. Your God is a loving, forgiving, reconciling, restoring God. You are made in His image. You must act like it or fall short of pleasing your Father. The evil anger also allows you to wish the destruction or downfall of another person. It says, “I want them to ‘feel’ hurt in just the same way that I have felt it.” The argument is, “they did hurt me and my family, and they aren’t suffering any of the consequences of their evil treatment of me.” Child, why does the Bible say, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord?” (Romans 12:19) Simply because you do not feel or think toward the offending person as I do. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) Why? He could forgive them because He knew more about those crucifying Him than anyone on earth. Leave the repayment and vengeance (if necessary) up to the Father in Heaven, and go on about your work! Your Father loves you.

Prayer

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Father, I have overstepped my boundaries. I repent for wanting harm to come to others. I turn away from this evil and ask you to deliver me from this unholy anger and vengeance. I know that you will do what is best in this situation for me. You are my shield and defender. I can trust myself to you completely through Jesus your son, amen!