Greetings Hitmen,
Okay, so here’s the deal – if the plan works as envisioned, you are all receiving this on Friday this week. Don’t worry, we didn’t forget to send this out earlier in the week, we just wanted to add some extra emphasis on this week’s topic prior to you going home to spend the weekend with your families and friends. As I am sure you already gathered by the title, this week I am talking about anger. Actually, I am somewhat of an expert in this area, though I am certainly not proud of it. I have been refocusing my study of scripture as of late on the topic of anger and I realize that this is an area that many, many men (and women) confront almost daily.
Anger is a dangerous pitfall that threatens all of us in one way or another. I have come to know that the intensity of this emotion must be dealt with from the inside out. Taking our eyes off Christ threatens our ability to focus on the good in life and can let anger creep in subtlety and quickly. Those of us burning with rage or some other intense driving force within us may think we can control it on our own accord; however, we eventually and invariably lose control. We need to see the truth that we are unable to control such forces on our own, confess this to God and those people on our “board of directors” whom we trust our accountability to. Then ask for God’s powerful help in controlling these feelings. And though I said I am an expert on the topic, I never said I am a perfect and/or godly example – but the Bible is full of good and Godly illustrations. Therefore I wanted to share with you all the various scriptures that I have found to review this week so you will have remembrance of what the Word says about anger:
1. Anger is contagious: “Keep away from angry, short-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul” (Proverbs 22:24-25)
2. Anger is dangerous: [Jesus] “You have heard that the Law of Moses says, ‘Do not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the high council. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.” (Matthew 5:21-22)
3. Hot tempers aren’t cool: “A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.” (Proverbs 12:16)
4. Anger has consequences: “Those who are short-tempered do foolish things, and schemers are hated… Those who control their anger have great understanding; those with a hasty temper will make mistakes.” And, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger… a hothead starts fights, a cool-tempered person tries to stop them.” (Proverbs 14:17,29 & 15:1,18)
5. Anger is best controlled: “Don’t sin by letting anger gain control over you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil.” And, “People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs.” (Ephesians 4:26-27 & Proverbs 19:11)
This weekend start asking God to help you control your emotions from the inside out. And remember, as a good friend of mine says in the closing signature of every one of his emails, “Act justly, love mercifully, and walk humbly...”
In His service,
Luke Ribich
