Sunday, June 07, 1998 This Week’s Lesson:
In this week's lesson, which came from Genesis 4:2-8, James 1:19-20, and Ephesians 4:26-31, we studied about the importance of dealing with our unresolved anger. We need to realize that unresolved anger can deeply affect our life. It can cause us personal hurt and pain, it can diminish our Christian effectiveness, and it can impact our Christian witness. In the passage from Genesis 4:2-8, Cain had become angry with his brother, Abel, because Abel's offering, unlike his own, was accepted by God. Because of his intense rage, jealousy, and uncontrolled anger, Cain killed his brother. God had wanted Cain to deal with his anger in a more positive manner, but he obviously had failed to do so. God wants each of us to deal positively with our anger, too, because uncontrolled anger can lead to dangerous, awkward situations. Certainly, this was the case with Cain and Abel.
According to James, in James 1:19-20, a person should strive to control their temper. We are admonished to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Interestingly, when we lose control, we often violate each of these three conditions. We usually are slow to hear the view of the offending party. We are often much too quick to speak, and many times, we were too quick to become angry in the first place. Not being able to control oneself, and especially one's emotions, is the mark of an immature Christian. When we have walked with the Lord over a fairly long period of time, we should be able to demonstrate His love and patience in most any situation. In the passage from Ephesians 4:26-31, the Apostle Paul spoke about the importance of dealing positively with anger. He said that we should resolve the matter quickly rather than let our anxiety grow and fester. Anger is not sin, but how people sometimes handle it can be. A person in the midst of an emotional outburst does not hear the voice of their Lord. Therefore, it is not possible that person to really follow Him.
In our society, it is easy to lose one's temper. Someone can cut you off on the highway, and you are ready to run that thoughtless driver off the road. For many, a simple happenstance such as that can ruin their whole day. Things on the job do not go exactly as we would like, and we are ready to make ridiculous boasts and let our mouth run away with us. A cool, calm demeanor can be a very positive, very sensible way to deal with anxious moments. We often become angry when we feel we are not in control. We also often become angry when we feel that we do not know all that we want or think we need to know about a given situation. As Christians, let each of us strive to hand those times and situations over to our Lord. Let us allow Him to resolve our conflicts in ways which will bring honor and glory to Him. Then, we will be free to share our hope in Christ with others rather than being brought down by our uncontrolled, unresolved wrath.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
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