Well, don't do that!
Posted on 08/20/2015 12:02:42 PM PDT by metmom
"[Love] is not provoked" (1 Cor. 13:5).
Self-centered anger cannot coexist with love.
The great eighteenth-century preacher and theologian Jonathan Edwards had a daughter with an uncontrollable temper. When a young man asked Dr. Edwards for his daughter's hand in marriage, he said no. The young man was crushed. "But I love her and she loves me," he pleaded. "That makes no difference," Edwards replied, "she isn't worthy of you." "But she is a Christian, isn't she," the young man argued. "Yes," said Edwards, "but the grace of God can live with some people with whom no one else could ever live."
That may seem harsh, but Jonathan Edwards knew what his would-be son-in-law hadn't yet learned: the presence of selfish anger indicates the absence of genuine love. "Love," said Paul, "is not provoked." It isn't given to sudden outbursts of emotion or action. It doesn't respond in anger to offenses committed against it.
Paul wasn't talking about anger over sin and its terrible consequences. That's righteous indignation, which Christians are expected to have. When Jesus drove the merchants and moneychangers out of the temple (John 2:14-15), He was genuinely angry because His Father's house was being desecrated. But He never reacted that way when He was personally attacked or maligned. In the same way, it's right for you to be angry when others are mistreated, when God is offended, or when His Word is misrepresented. But love always bears up under personal attacks.
Such graciousness is foreign to our society, which teaches us to fight for our personal rights and retaliate when we don't get what we think we deserve. That has produced greedy and loveless people who want little more than personal success and comfort. Anyone who dares to stand in their way is in danger of incurring their wrath.
As a Christian, you must resist such influences by focusing on your spiritual duty rather than your rights. If you expect nothing from the world, you won't be angered or disappointed when nothing comes. Remember, God is the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). So humble yourself before Him and He will exalt you at the proper time (James 4:10).
Suggestions for Prayer
Ask God for the grace to forgive those who wrong you.
For Further Study
According to Ephesians 4:26-27, how should you deal with anger?
WWJD?
Flipping tables and chasing people with a whip is not out of the question!
Seriously, our anger is often related to perceived slights against our self.
Jesus’s anger is righteous, because it was always about insults towards God.
ping
Which should put to rest the idea that anger is always wrong.
If we are not angry at wrong done to someone, then we have no concern for that person, the one who was wronged.
You know I'm not the most lovey-dovey guy around. ;^')
Very fine, concise, effective selection. Thanks, MM!
Thanks for posting. Was thinking about this “anger” topic in Scriptures just a few days ago, so this is helpful.
I’ll bet that deep down, you’re a real sweetheart.
“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17 (ESV)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.