Back in the days of the old law of Moses, God gave him a set of 10 Commandments all of which began with "Thou Shalt Not"...We today, read these and take them at face value without really considering what all is involved in them.
Jesus however, came along in His Discourse on the Hill, better known as the Sermon on the Mount, (Matt. 5,6,7) to go further into one of the Commandments of "Thou Shalt Not Kill". Jesus wasn't teaching us how to simply be good, or just to talk the talk, but to walk the walk. He knew that the laying down of harden "laws" would not be possible for everyone to keep them, so that is why He was showing us how to change our hearts and give us hopeful and realistic terms in which to live.
The Old Testament Laws of God seemed rigid and hard to keep, and that is why Jesus walked among the people and gave them an understanding into the virtues of God Himself. It was the person of Jesus and His death, that makes it very clear today just what the virtues of God really are. He is a loving God who is far more patient with us that we seem to admit.
Virtue was the key word in describing Jesus Christ as a man and His teachings. He wanted us to know the difference between the Old Law and living in the kingdom of today. The apostle Paul explains this in Phil 4:8, 2 Pt. 1:3-5. We are told to think on higher things, not to be in the word structure, because we are now joint heirs with Christ.
As an example, Christ went on to explain the dangers of being irritated with others. This emotion can lead to anger and contempt. Here He shows the first steps into the righteousness of the kingdom heart. It is the elimination of anger and contempt. These emotions can be very dangerous. Christ takes us another step further into this commandment of not killing.
First of all, anger is a feeling that can paralyz someone, and seize up within them which in turn can cause us to inflict harm and interference to others. This can have some serious consequences. Anger is very damaging, it can wound someone mentally and physically as well. It also raises the stress level and evokes anger in return. This is why Christ says to "turn the other cheek". It isn't retaliating in more anger. Anger is a feeling that can quickly turn into something more harmful.
When someone is angry with us, it hurts. We feel rejection. We know their anger is meant to hurt us. Sometimes all it takes is a look of rejection or maybe an avoidance of looking at us that hurts. Sometimes it could be a raised voice or perhaps they ignore us and don't speak to us at all that causes us harm. Whatever the case may be, it makes a painful impression.
Jesus teaches us that we have the choice of either letting this anger take control of us, or we can control it. People who are not walking a Christian walk, will choose to let the anger take over because it gives them a sense of control over someone else. Thinking of someone else's feelings is the farthest thing from their minds. Anger can elevate and become a vicious cycle if not handled correctly. It can lead to death and even murder. When allowed to cultivate, it has an element of self righteousness and vanity. It just perpetuates into problems both for ourselves and others. Jesus was quoted as saying, "to cut off the root of anger is to wither the tree of human evil." The apostle Paul simply puts it as, "Lay aside all anger." Read (Col. 3:8; Eph.4:31) He says that no good can come from this emotion.
"A man's anger does not promote the righeousness of God (wishes and requires)" James 1:20 (Amplified)
God is not about anger that retaliates, He tells us to be angry and sin not. Do not let this emotion get the better of you.
How do we handle it then? We can't handle anything on our own. But God can if we simply do these three things: 1. Admit the anger and ask to be forgiven. 2. Think it through 3. Ask God for His counsel through His Word.
Contempt is an even more dangerous emotion when allowed to build. This feeling is never justified for any reason. In order to live in the kingdom life here and now we must without a shadow of a doubt, be deeply rooted and grounded in love, love for God and love for our fellow man. We must have a heart after God's. This would not be possible if we held in feelings of anger and contempt.
But thank God, He sent Jesus to give us a new and fresh way of living, a promise of an everlasting life. It's no secret that Christ came to pay a debt He didn't owe, and we owe a debt we could never pay. But God loves us that much that He gave His only begotten Son on our behalf. Wow!!!!
"Fear not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee and with the right hand of My righteousness." Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)
God does warn us of the dangers of anger when He said in Proverbs 15:1, "I wrath, but grievous words stir up anger." Proverbs 29:22, "A man giveth to anger commits and causes MUCH transgression."
Why are we so quick to anger and God tells us in Joel 2:13 and Nah.1:3 that He Himself is slow to anger? Should we not then be the same?
Ask God today to show you the root of your anger and then admit that you have sinned and want Him to forgive you. When you accept His Son Jesus as your Savior to rule over your life, you will then begin to feel a great weight lifted from inside your heart. Learn how anger can torment you and keep you in bondage unless you give it to Jesus, the One Who Died so you could live.
There are many ways to hell, but only way to heaven.
Vivian Gordon inspired writer of God's Word. It is her calling to teach the Good News and help others see the light of God to free them.
detailed home cleaning Lake Forest ..I can truly say to this day of August, 2005,... Read More
Matthew 2:1-12The Visit of the Wise Men1 Now after Jesus... Read More
When my dad was nearing the end of his life... Read More
Among those arriving to the stadium early were two old... Read More
As humans, we are the species that operate with symbols.... Read More
New Age Spirituality is all about getting back your power.... Read More
Until recently, miracles were usually credited to a supernatural power.... Read More
We come into this world alone, we experience physical life... Read More
The normal Aquarian preoccupation with rational science is clearly seen... Read More
Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell recently starred in the movie... Read More
Not a Failure!Those of you who are unemployed, or desire... Read More
For the last 35 years, I have been working with... Read More
Perhaps one of the most wonderful assertions that can be... Read More
As communion was being passed this morning, I listened to... Read More
In today's world we worry about everything, food, jobs, clothing,... Read More
A feeling of fulfillment is something we all seek. Here... Read More
Fanny J. Crosby's famous hymn, "Tell Me the Story of... Read More
Mother Nature has this uncanny tendency to turn upon herself... Read More
I had the intention of writing about Soul Mates but... Read More
In the make-believe world, too, fiction and films are filled... Read More
As Christian's we are often very independent. We try to... Read More
Green Principles: SoulBestABeing aware here now My path is progressive.... Read More
Love...it's a deep emotion. Sometimes we say it in jest... Read More
On one side there is a dark cloud. It is... Read More
My favorite scripture is Roman's 8:28. "And we know that... Read More
trusted cleaning company Des Plaines ..What power do we hold individually in the midst of... Read More
For some of us, spirituality is considered a religion, and... Read More
As more and more alternative and spiritual healings are being... Read More
I am not enlightened, and yet,... Read More
In the movie "A Beautiful Mind" John Nash (played by... Read More
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,... Read More
An exam is a test that is given at the... Read More
Do you have a dream, but are waiting for "just... Read More
Carl Jung, 20th century psycho analyst and dream researcher, said:... Read More
One of the first things you will find that God... Read More
A few men and women are universally successful but such... Read More
Am I dreaming? The sign outside the skyscraper reads: "Spiritual... Read More
Want more peace and joy in your life? Daily stress... Read More
New Age Spirituality is all about getting back your power.... Read More
Did you ever see something go wrong around you and... Read More
I find myself floating on a cloud as heavenly music... Read More
Did you happen to see the made-for-tv movie, "Jesus," that... Read More
The question of life after death is one that continues... Read More
In Corrogue it is frosty.The ramp into our "acre of... Read More
I have been reading a lot lately about the concepts... Read More
Come on now!? Really? This is going too far, you... Read More
You may ask, "What are hot buttons anyway?"Hot buttons are... Read More
The word means different things to different people. Is it... Read More
I started reading the book "The Purpose Driven Life" about... Read More
Natural laws exist that serve to maintain order in the... Read More
Spirituality |