Does that make you angry?

TODAY'S READING: Ephesians 4:25-27
Sometimes I find hope in passages like this. You ask why? Because people 2,000 years ago struggled with the same things you and I do. Here are people who spent time with Paul and they can't live perfectly either. Sometimes I feel like we put "First Century Christianity" on some kind of pedestal. We want to look like the first century church. You want to know a secret? Shhhh. Don't tell anybody. We already do look like them, and it's often not a good thing.
Want to look like the early Christians?
Sexual immorality? It was a major problem.
Dishonesty? All over the place.
Worshipping the culture? Not just our problem.
Pride? Try reading Paul's letters to the Corinthian church.
And the more I read about the early church, they had very little ability to deal with conflict properly. They would complain about each other. Divisions within churches were all over the place. Christians were putting one another down. It's seem pretty obvious that people were angry towards one another.
Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like times have changed much. See anything on the list up there we don't deal with? I don't. While everything around us may have changed, human beings are still the same on the inside. Our hearts still struggle with sin.
In the passage we are considering today, Paul is dealing with interpersonal relationships and especially anger. Because following Jesus is so relationship-based, this is crucial. Relating well with others is vital to being a healthy disciple of Jesus.
So how does anger impact our relationships and conflict? Anger is often a necessary part of conflict. Notice Paul does not condemn anger. Rather, Paul warns us that anger not dealt with can cause sin. When we don't do something healthy with our anger it allows Satan a backdoor into our heart.
Anger can create feelings of hate. We can become bitter towards someone. We may begin to gossip about the person we are angry with. Anger can lead us to act in ungodly ways towards someone.
But when we deal with our anger and approach the person we are angry with, good things can happen. Anger is usually a symptom of conflict. It is a sign that we need to deal with something. And when anger is used as a motivator for resolution as opposed to a tool for Satan, good things can happen.
We can help each other grow spiritually.
Our eyes may be opened to see things in a fresh way.
We may find impurities in our life that need to be changed.
Friendships can be made stronger.
Anger is not bad. Anger misused can be fatal. I am not talking about shooting someone (while that has happened). No, anger can be fatal spiritually. It can eat away at us and eventually put up a barrier between us and God. Our anger towards others may lead us to becoming angry at God.
Do you struggle with anger? Does anger seem to take control of you at times? Do you feel like your life is full of conflict? Find a friend to help you work through your anger. Seek out people who seem peaceful that will not be as likely to fuel your anger. Go to God in prayer. Search the Bible for God's wisdom about anger. Make room in your schedule each day for quiet time with God so that He can begin to cleanse your soul.
There is no easy formula to deal with anger. Conflict will never cease. There is no magic pill. Discipleship is hard work, and dealing with anger is no exception. It was Jesus that said, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me."

shine!
Jason