Anger as a root to bigger problems

"You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder'; and 'whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, 'You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. Matthew 5:21-26 (NRSV)

Part of the Sermon on the Mount [from which these verses come] include 6 sections in which Jesus tries to correct some misunderstandings of Old Testment laws. This is the first of those six. According to the Expostitor's Commentary, Jesus in these six sections is showing the true direction of what the law was to point to originally [p. 147]. This would make sense because murder comes from hatred and anger. Murder is the symptom while anger is the root.

I've been thinking about roots the last few years. While most Christians I know would never murder anyone [myself included], what about these roots of anger, hatred, greed, etc. that lie in so many of us? Do we feed these roots or do we give them to God asking for him to forgive and heal us of these roots? To be sure, there are times when anger is justified. But it is what we do with that anger that is important. There are healthy ways to deal with anger: work for a peaceful resolution to the issue, ask God to intervene in the situation,  stand up on behalf of those who can't for themselves, pray for the other person/situation, express in prayer how you feel asking God to heal your anger or find a healthy way to vent about your anger such as in a journal or to a trusted friend. There are unhealthy ways: allowing the anger to fester until it overtakes one's life, leading to hateful actions such as put downs, cut downs, verbal abuse [what the word Raca signifies - it means 'imbecile, fool, blockhead' [p. 149], rage, holding grudges, seeking revenge, wishing a curse on them instead of God's blessing, gossip, back bite, slander. And even when one has enough self-control not to do any of these actions, anger that still controls [especially if it is internalized, which is what powerless people often do when faced with a situation that angers them] can cause depression, self-hate, high blood pressure and other mental if not physical health issues.

As stated earlier I can't think of any Christians I know of who would commit homicide, but I do know of plenty who think nothing of hating another person, using verbal abuse, gossiping, talking behind one's back, hold grudges, and seek revenge. I also see Christians who don't know how to what to do with their anger so it becomes internalized into depressed, obsession, self-hate, addictions or other health issues such as high blood pressure.

For those in this situation, ask God to help you deal with the anger appropriately. Since there are many reasons for anger, a simple devotional can't cover all the issues but God can. Pray everyday or more about your anger and what to do with it. Pray for healing of the cause for the anger. It may take some time for healing to come but it will if you let God help you. Doing so will bring healing to you, your relationships around you and your witness as a Christian. Getting rid of the anger in your heart will allow God's grace and joy to abundantly flow in your heart and flow out to others bringing to them healing, grace and joy.

Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually

The entire passage is Psalm 105:1 - 22 but the first 6 verses are my primary interest today with verse 4 as my theme.  

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered, O offspring of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones! ESV

This psalm is a reminder of God's acts of salvation throughout history. According to the Expositor's Commentary, it was used in corporate worship practices as a way to continually remind the congregation of God's faithfulness.

The first six verses are the call to worship. These verses call the people to worship God alone. They are also called to remember that God did this for them. Out of love for his people his did these mighty acts of power. Thus, out of gratefulness to God, they were called to worship him.

Verse 4 calls for a greater sense of intimacy than being physically present in a worship service where songs are sung, verses read and prayers given. Seeking God's face and presence continually is what prevents a worship service from being dry and formulaic and instead changes it into a time of renewal and refreshing.

When I read this verse, I think of Moses as the ultimate example of seeking God's presence. In Exodus 33, God told Moses that due to the sin of the people, God would have an angel lead the people but His Presence would no longer lead them as God would not stand their sin any longer. This word was enough for the people to realize that they had done wrong. Moses, too, was greatly distressed over not having God's Presence with them any longer to such a degree that he basically said to God "then we're not going." Plan b is not good enough in this situation, he wanted to stick with God's plan a which was to follow God's Presence, not an angel.

I love how Moses saw the need for God's presense and insisted on doing what was needed to remain with God's Presence. The wisest, strongest, most capable leader can only do so much with human ability. He needed God's Presence if he and the group were going anywhere. He also saw the lack of God's presence as a sign that there was sin in the congregation, which needed to be removed.

After he did what he needed to do to ensure that God's Presence would lead them, Moses still was not satisfied. He wanted to see God's Glory. I love his how hungry he was for God's Presence and Glory! Because he asked for more of God's presence, Moses was rewarded with a glimpse of God [as much as what a human can handle].

Use these verses from Psalm 105 and Exodus 33 to encourage yourself to always be seeking God's presence. Pray everyday to have and be more aware of God's presense in your life and worship service.

These two videos are ones that I have used in the past to help me pray these prayers ~

Lift up holy hands in prayer

Timothy I am giving you these instructions, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies made earlier about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, having faith and a good conscience. By rejecting conscience, certain persons have suffered shipwreck in the faith; among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have turned over to Satan, so that they may learn not to blaspheme. Timothy First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all -this was attested at the right time. For this I was appointed a herald and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. I desire, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument; 1 Timothy 1:18-2:8 (NRSV)

There are two parts to the reading - Paul's instructions to Timothy as a pastor and instructions on proper worship. My interest tonight is on the instructions on worship.

I love how the Expositor's Commentary addresses the section on worship. Regarding the words "I urge" and "first of all", the commentary says "the most essential part of public worship is prayer. (p.356)" Wow! It says nothing about music styles or worship order or anything else that we consider so important. Instead, the most essential part is prayer. When I read this two thoughts go through my mind. A) has anyone told this to those who disdain the power of prayer in the Christian walk and life? and B) has anyone told this to those who engage in the 'worship wars' ~ that they have the wrong focus altogether if they think worship is primarily about music and not prayer?

It breaks my heart to see people disdain prayer as a "lazy's persons way out" when in reality authentic prayer brings us closer in an intimate walk with God. As we share with God and let him know that we are willing to listen to him, he'll share what's on his heart with us. Later on when life gets rough, that intimacy with God will carry us through the tough times.

Refering to the second point, the times of the most awesome times of public worship has occured when the services were bathed in prayer first. Without prayer before hand, the services were dry and I couldn't wait to leave [and often would leave early because I couldn't take the dryness]. Those that were bathed in prayer left me wanting to bask in God's presence and being very upset that the service had ended.

The attitude of prayer is important as well. Lifting up holy hands without anger or argument. While we need to pray honest prayers (My soul is full of trouble) which can include telling our anger to God, what we should be careful about it not praying in such a way that our anger/bitterness becomes so entrenched in our souls that we close our minds, hearts and souls to God's cleansing, healing and convicting Spirit. While one can have legitimate reasons for anger and bitterness, when one holds on to these wounds, it makes it hard for the Holy Spirit to help us, plus our prayers dry up. But when one prays, hands held up in a receiving manner towards God, giving God one's pain, anger and bitterness healing flows down from God and over and through us.

Today, I ask God to give you a heart of prayer and a holy attitude while praying. And while praying, ask God to help you be open and receptive to his healing, cleansing and comforting presense.

Works cited:

Carson, D.A. The Expositor's Bible Commentary. Ed. Frank Gaebelein. Vol. 8. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984.

Teach me your ways, O Lord

Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD. 

Happy are those who keep his decrees, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways. You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.

O that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.

I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous ordinances. I will observe your statutes; do not utterly forsake me. Psalm 118:1 - 8 NRSV

This 8 verses talk about the blessing that is bestowed on those who live according to God's law. These are people who walk in his ways, who do no wrong, who show their love for God by obeying him, and who do this with their whole heart.

It is not easy to love God or do what we know he wants us to do with our whole hearts. One can know that s/he should be more loving to others, should follow the Ten Commandments, should not gossip, etc but other things capture one's interest.  Self interests, addictions, busyness of life get in one's way leaving good intentions swept away.

I love verse 33 which says "Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. (NIV)" I went through a period of time in which all I did throughout my day and days was say "teach me your ways God", meaning, I wanted to put his laws into my heart meaning that I would be naturally and instinctively doing what God wanted as opposed to memorizing some rules and then trying to apply the rules at the wrong time [see Live by the Spirit]. As I prayed this each day, was filled with his Spirit and came to recognize his Spirit's voice and guidance, his ways became natural for me and a joy to follow.

My soul is full of trouble...

O Lord, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before you.

May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry.

For my soul is full of trouble and my life draws near the grave.

I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like a man without strength.

... 

You have taken from me my closest friends and have made me repulsive to them.

I am confined and cannot escape; my eyes are dim with grief. [Ps 88 excerpts, NIV]

As far as I can remember this is the only psalm that does not end on a hopeful note. Personally, I am glad that this psalm exists. During the worst times of my life, it was the only prayer I could give and along with Ecclesiates was the only part of the bible that seemed to relate to what I was going through.

According to the Expositor's Commentary, true faith does not come from resigning one's self to whatever happens, but a real wrestling with God in prayer about our doubts and circumstances. And this is not a quiet, reverent prayer. Rather it is a cry of grief or dispair (BLB). In times of grief, it is healthier to be honest about one's feelings and grief rather than try to force happy, joyful feelings on one's self or on others.

I had a Christian friend once who had been taught one could only speak and pray reverently to God. Thus, when her world seemed to crumble before her, she wouldn't pray or talk to God about this because she didn't want to "sin" by telling God how angry she was with him. It was only after seeing this psalm and others of a similar nature that she understood that she could be honest with God, even if the only thing she could say was something negative.

God's shoulders are big enough to handle yours and my grief, anger and doubts. Feel free to give them to him.

We need each other

Timothy You are aware that all who are in Asia have turned away from me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain; when he arrived in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me -may the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! And you know very well how much service he rendered insus. Timothy You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus; and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well. Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs; the soldier's aim is to please the enlisting officer. And in the case of an athlete, no one is crowned without competing according to the rules. It is the farmer who does the work who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things. Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David-that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful- for he cannot deny himself. 2 Timothy 1:15-2:13 (NRSV)

This passage is taken from a section of 2 Timothy in which Paul writes about the suffering he has endured on behalf of the good news of Jesus Christ. He writes this as encouragement to his readers who are going through similar things.

He gives three examples of those who endure suffering by keeping their eyes on something more than their suffering: the soldier who wants to please the leader, the athlete who receives the prize and the farmer who receives the first portion of the harvest. For Paul, his eyes were on Jesus. He continued on inspite of suffering out of love for Jesus and the other believers. The end goal was their salvation and growth. By focusing on these things, he could continue in spite of suffering.

A modern day example would be those on the TV show the Biggest Loser. Several of the contestants will describe how miserable they are the weight loss ranch with hours of grueling exercise and learning not to give into temptations, but then they will say "I am doing this for my spouse and kids. I don't want them growing up without a parent." And that gives them the reason to keep on.

Paul writes of another reason for his strength in the midst of suffering - he has the encouragement of others. There really are no 'solo Christians'. We all need the encouragement of others for support and to motivate us. On the Biggest Loser, those that have a partner with them on the ranch often do better. We need people around us to motivate us to do what we need to meet our goals.

In the Kingdom of God, we need each other. Not just for psychological reasons, but for spiritual ones as well. Accountability partners, prayer partners, regular fellowship gatherings encourage, support and motiviate us. Pray for one if you do not have one already, and if you do pray for God to use it to bless you and help you to be a blessing to the others.

Live by the Spirit

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires isopposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are notsubject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger,quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do suchthings will not inherit the kingdom of God. By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passionsand desires. Galatians 5:16-24 (NRSV)

Walking with the Holy Spirit is God's answer to legalism. If we try to walk in the Spirit by our own human efforts, we will fail. Our only way to freedom from wrong desires is through the empowering of the Holy Spirit. We are empowered when we are: filled with the Holy Spirit, ask God to give us the strength and power to obey him, obey the promptings of the Spirit. This is also considered abiding in the Spirit.

I heard a beautiful story once of a couple who were dating. For the first date, the guy took his date to a dance not realizing that she didn't know how to dance. He assured her that she would be safe in his arms if she just followed his lead. She said that when she looked at his feet and tried to match what he was doing, she always fumbled. But when she looked into his eyes and not worried about all the little steps, they danced beautifully.

When we stare at the little details of how to "dance" with the Spirit [ie how to dress, how to pray, how to do what so and so does, and so on], we are miserable. But when we just concentrate on Him [through prayer, bible reading, learning to recognize his voice, meditation on God and then do what he tells us to do by the grace that he gives us], we can "dance" joyfully with the Spirit. Others will see this "dance" as they see more of the fruits of the Spirit in our lives [love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control]. This will lead others to Christ vs. legalism which repels people from Christ [and probably you].