by Olawale Ogunsola
In part one of this piece, we examined briefly the right of a Christian to be angry where we saw that it is an attribute or virtue of God, our Creator who made man in His own Image and Likeness.
In this second part, we are going to discuss some of the features of a Christian Anger. Or how a Christian can be angry like his Father using the Holy Bible as our guide. *BE SLOW TO BE ANGRY. To be like your Heavenly Father, you should combine SLOW with your anger. You should not be in a hurry to be angry. Nor should you be angry at anytime and anybody. Jonah in his book in 4:2 describes the God he knew as One who is "... slow to Anger..." As His child, you must also be slow to be angry. The procedure is summarised by Apostle James this way in chapter one of his book: " So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God" verses 19-20.
Let me state here that WRATH IS A SENIOR SISTER to anger. If anger is dangerous, wrath is more. Yet as twin sisters, being SLOW can be employed to conquer or control them. Let me briefly explain certain words in the two verses: Swift to hear: This will afford you the opportunity to gather every needed information to take decisions. Slow to speak: this will guide against unnecessary response. It will give the Holy Spirit in you some time to process what you have heard so that He can give you the right utterances which your enemies cannot gainsay or resist. This might be the reason why the Psamist says, "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth, Keep watch over the door of my lips." Psalms 141:3.
You also need this verse as your point of prayers. Reason: James 3:2 provides an answer like this, "For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body." (NKJV).
In anger, almost every man speaks inadvisedly or rashly.except where the Holy Spirit takes control and have His ways. An example is Prophet Moses who led God's people in the wilderness, Psalms 106:33. The writer of the book of Proverbs captured the the picture this way, "He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly." (NKJV) To be hot tempered is a gross display of foolishness. Therefore, be slow to speak or angry. *Sin not. Apostle Paul reiterated it that a Christian can be angry but should avoid sins in the process. This is the reason no Christian can or should display only this virtue. Without other virtues of God, it will end as a vice. This will then tilt or push you towards hell fire. However, a combination of other attributes of God will make an excellent virtue out of anger. For example, if kindness, endurance, being merciful and gentle, as well as other ones are brought out with anger, even unbelievers will stand up for a child of God anytime he displays any form of anger. God Himself will rise to defend him. In anger, you must avoid sinning against your Maker so that He will not contend with you. Do not sin in thoughts, words or in action when you are angry. *Do not keep anger for long. Ephesians Chapter 4:26-27 disclose, "Be angry, and do not sin, do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil."(NKJV). Anger should not be part of the property to be kept by a child of God. Wind should blow it away as soon as it came. It should not be retained in any form and for any time. Let it evaporate like vapor as soon as it is played. Please, let these Scriptures be your guide or healing balm as it had been for me, "The patient in spirit is better than the the proud in spirit. Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bossom of fools.* Ecclesiastes 7:8b-9.(NKJV) Now, the question is, "Must a Christian go about and continually display foolishness?". "No" is the answer. Therefore, s Christian can display a "decent or modest or well managed" anger.
Let it be reiterated that gross display of anger is a Visa to hell fire and no reasonable child of God will toy with Hades. It is not a place of comfort. May it not be your portion in Jesus mighty name. Stay blessed and prepared for the imminent coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
SALVATION MESSAGE: In case you just "stumble"on this piece and you do not know your Creator or you have been so far deceived with one religion or the other, I am happy to inform you that TODAY is the appointed time to be reconciled with your Maker. *Accept the truth that you are a sinner and cannot help yourself. *Confess all your sins to the Lord Jesus Christ and ask Him to forgive you, He will surely do. *Ask the Lord to occupy and control your heart forever. *Request Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit to with you forever. * Obtain a copy of the Holy Bible for daily reading and application for great benefits. *Join an assembly of God's children where the Scripture is held in high esteem for fellowship and growth. May the Lord help you to walk with Him for the rest of your life in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
The Author is the set man of CTFM(WORLD OUTREACH)and Presiding Pastor of Christ Restland Gospel Church.He is a Poet and author of many books. Visit his blogsites www.4thlink.wordpress.com and www.peacelink.wordpress.com for more quality contents.
Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com
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