Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 7: 1-29
“Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools” – Ecclesiastes 7:9 (KJV).
Our temperament could be great asset if well harnessed and properly managed. It is not evil or sinful to be angry, sad, happy, excited or unhappy. These are various ways we can express our feelings. They are all gifts from God that make up our personality. Expressing these emotions may not be an issue but how they are expressed could be a serious issue of concern. The bible says to be angry… “Be angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath” – Ephesians 4: 26 (KJV).
One should not be happy with failure, defeat, poverty, affliction and every work of the devil. Self induced hardship and satanic inflicted pains should not bring joy and excitement to one. Instead, we should frown at sin, defeat, failure and frustration because such things do not bring glory to God. One should be angry and sad to see things or one’s kids going the wrong way and happy to see a turn around for good. When things go the negative way, we should be disturbed and deeply concerned. Such concern could arouse holy indignation that will challenge us to stand up for the right. Anger and happiness are passions created by God but left for us to manage. Where these emotions are not properly harnessed, they could have devastating and harmful effects both on the person and the society.
Uncontrolled emotion could lead to vices like murder, rape, suicide, adultery and all forms of evil. One of the works the Holy spirit does in the believer is to harness the temperament and bring self control. Anger, on its own, is not sin but it could lead one to several sins. The scriptures warn of the danger of letting anger to rule us.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, help me to rule my emotions in Jesus name.
Rev. Vincent Diolu