Gospel Sense Against Anger (Part 2)
In the first part of this teaching we talked about why you need to deal with anger, the fact that it's your responsibility to put anger away and that it doesn't please God when we maintain an attitude of anger.
Here we'll look at some other very necessary things God says to us about anger.
Instructions About Anger
Ephesians 4:30-32
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
To treat others as we should, the key lies in being mindful of God's love as displayed toward us in Christ.
If we draw inspiration from the character of Christ towards us, we won't be full of rage, anger and bitterness towards others. It won't be difficult for us to forgive them.
Everything changes when we look at issues in the light of Christ and what He did on the cross for us.
Jesus Teaches Forgiveness
What Jesus our Master has to say about forgiveness is very important and worth paying attention to.
Have you realized that anger and an unforgiving attitude go hand in hand?
People with anger issues are people who aren't quick to forgive. They dwell on the shortcomings of others, forgetting that God forgave them freely.
Jesus told a parable one day to show us the consequences of anger and its twin, an unforgiving spirit.
Let's see what Jesus says about this:
Mat 18:23-35 (KJV)
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Simple Lessons We Can Draw
The following lessons can be easily deduced from the above passage
God expects us to remember how He has treated us whenever we are to respond to those who have hurt us.
In loving others we should be inspired by His love for us.
We should give people better than they deserve because He gives us better than we deserve.
We can overlook the hurtful things people do to us because He overlooks the hurtful things we do to Him.
You're Blessed!
P. S: If you missed the first part of this series, just CLICK HERE to read it.