FIERY CONSEQUENCES
An angry person starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin.
Proverbs 29:22 (NLT)
Are you the type of person who goes looking for fights?
This may be tough to see within yourself. It might require you to have some honest feedback conversations with those closest to you. For others, we know we have a quick trigger and can start a fight at the drop of a hat. This is not the way to honor Christ.
As someone who has, on regular occasions, gone looking for something to be upset about, let me tell you: I’m often quite successful. And when I go looking for things to rile me up, I almost always wind up taking that to a place of confrontation. Not lovingly, gently or biblically. Sometimes I just want to throw down. And over years of doing so I’ve gotten quite good at equivocation and moral justifications. Again, this is not the way to honor Christ.
According to Proverbs 29:22, there’s something else to consider beyond just how we manage our anger. Hot-tempered people often commit all kinds of sin. It’s easy to see this pattern once you’re aware of it. You allow your anger to run away with you, so then it’s easy to use foul or abusive language. Or perhaps you turn to an indulgence of some kind to escape from the strong emotions you’re experiencing. Drugs, drunkenness and pornography are just a few examples of escapism that lead us further away from Christ and into sin.
Beware of anger ensnaring you and taking you to a place that is not honoring to Christ. Don’t give yourself a pass and say something like I’m just a passionate person. Passion is one thing, while self-indulgent anger is quite another. Consider the progression that James outlines in James 1:14-15 (NLT): Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
I don’t know about you, but these verses are a sobering warning to me. If I’m not careful, what started as just anger can give birth to something far more damaging. Beware.
APPLICATION: What are you angry about? Are you starting fights? In response to these questions, take time to pray, process and possibly even journal. Can you see a pattern in your life where anger controlling you leads to further sins? Ask God for wisdom and self-control.
PRAYER: God, help me to honor You in every area of my life. Create in me a heart that is committed to peace and restoration in my relationships. Safeguard me from falling away from You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?