BANISH ANGER
Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go (Proverbs 22:24).
There’re many things that could deface one’s beauty in the spirit; one of them is anger. Our opening verse says, “Don’t hang out with angry people; don’t keep company with hotheads” (MSG). In other words, avoid them. When God tells you to avoid something or someone, you better take it seriously.
You might say, “I only get angry once in a while”; no! Anger is a quick destroyer; avoid it! Don’t even try to “tame” it; banish it. If you’ve been termed or described as someone who’s hotheaded and quick to anger, get before the Lord in prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to help you deal with anger. Then give yourself to the Word in meditation.
Don’t try to suppress anger; get rid of it. You may say to me, “Pastor Chris” I’ve always had anger in me since I was much younger, and by following God all through the years, I’ve been able to suppress my anger with the Word.” That’s wonderful, but God doesn’t want you at that level. It’s not a matter of suppressing the anger with the Word, it’s a matter of not even allowing anger any space in your life.
Harbouring anger has resulted in some deadly ailments and unexplainable challenges in the health of many people. But I tell you, if they’d eschew anger, they’ll be healthy. The Bible says anger dwells in the bosom of fools (Ecclesiastes 7:9). And in Psalm 107:17, who does the Bible say are afflicted? Fools! “Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.”
The scriptures are replete with verses that admonish us against anger. In Psalm 37:8 (CEV), the Bible says, “Don’t be angry or furious. Anger can lead to sin.” Paul, in Ephesians 4:31 (AMPC) warns, “Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity)…be banished from you.
In Colossians 3:8, he also tells us, “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.” Banish anger from your life.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I eschew and purge from my heart all elements of anger, bitterness, rage or fury; anger has no place in me. I delight myself in your Word and in doing your will always. The Word is in my heart, causing me to walk in righteousness and fulfil my destiny in you. I live by your Word, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Psalm 37:8, Proverbs 14:29,Proverbs 22:24-25, Ephesians 4:31
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Acts 5:12-42 & 2 Chronicles 23-25
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 1:57-66 & Deuteronomy 13
