Theme for week: Faith and The Little Foxes
January 19, 2022 (Wednesday)
(Every time I read Song of Solomon 2:15 (“Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines”), I am reminded that small things can do big damage. The blogs this week are about how our faith can help us overcome sins that may seem small to us, but can cause us much heartache).
Anger might be your friend when it helps you stand up to social injustice. It could be an enemy when it causes you to say something hurtful to someone you love. The Apostle Paul lists several “acts of the flesh” in Galatians 5:20, NIV, and one of them is “fits of rage.” This is uncontrolled anger. Controlled anger is more like “righteous indignation,” and is motivated by just cause. In Ephesians 4:26, KJV, he says, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath” I like the Phillips translation, which on this verse is more commentary than translation: “If you are angry, be sure that it is not out of wounded pride or bad temper. Never go to bed angry—don’t give the devil that sort of foothold.”
O.K., we all know what anger is, I think, and we learn to express anger at a very early age. Anger gets a bad name from being associated with hatred, malice, jealousy, and a host of other negative feelings. It is much more acceptable if it unexpectantly appears when defending honor and/or justice.
In its raw form, anger is the opposite of what Paul calls, “self-control,” part of the “fruit of the Spirit” described in Galatians 5:22-23. When out of control, it can well be labeled, “rage,” and usually causes damage to self and others. It is definitely not on the list of things to do in order to grow in Christ as a Believer. It is usually considered negative behavior and is almost always hurtful.
I believe anger is a habit that can be brought under control, if we are willing to let that happen. Anger is part of what the flesh does, but “the fruit of the Spirit” is anger’s opposite emotion. Galatians 5:22-23 gives us basic tools that help us grow in Christ and become more like Him: “Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control.” If you surrender to the control of the Holy Spirit, He will do you good.
Author: Albert C. Fisher
date
1 Of the themes that men have known,
One supremely stands alone;
Through the ages it has shown,
‘Tis His wonderful, wonderful love.
Chorus:
Love is the theme, love is supreme;
Sweeter it grows, glory bestows;
Bright as the sun ever it glows!
Love is the theme, eternal theme!
2 Let the bells of heaven ring,
Let the saints their tribute bring,
Let the world true praises sing
For His wonderful, wonderful love.
[Chorus]
3 Since the Lord my soul unbound,
I am telling all around,
Pardon, peace and joy are found
In His wonderful, wonderful love.
[Chorus]
4 As of old when blind and lame
To the blessed Master came,
Sinners, call ye on His name,
Trust His wonderful, wonderful love.
[Chorus]