Your Daily Devotional for August 17, 2007

 

August 17,  2007

 

 

An Attitude to Avoid

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire."

 

Matthew 5:21-22

 

 

A lady once came to Billy Sunday and tried to rationalize her angry outbursts. "There's nothing wrong with losing my temper," she said. "I blow up, and then it's all over." "So does a shotgun," Sunday replied, "and look at the damage it leaves behind!"

 

Jesus taught in the New Testament that it was not only the physical act of murder that brought harm. Many times, it is the attitude of anger or hate that can do the most damage to a person. God commands us not to kill, but He also desires that we avoid an attitude of hatred.

 

Many people in our society deal with anger problems. It can be seen on the freeway, in the grocery store line, and in the stands at athletic events. There is even a medical condition and treatment for anger! We seem to have explained away anger as stress buildup, emotional problems, or a psychological disorder, but God sees anger as sin. We must not explain away our angry spirits, but come to the point in which God is in control of our emotions.

 

Also, God desires that we avoid a spirit of contempt in our lives. Matthew 5:22 says, "But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire." The word raca in that verse was a word of contempt. God was saying that when we have contempt between us and another person, it is sin. We must make sure that we do not have contempt toward another person in our lives.

 

The very first murder in the Bible was a result of jealousy and anger. Genesis 4:8 says, "And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him." Cain was angry that his sacrifice had not been accepted, and he let his anger get out of control. He held contempt for his brother in his heart so long that it eventually came out in murder.

 

When we fail to let Christ control our emotions, we can sometimes do things we never thought possible. While we may never think of murdering someone, that thought of anger or jealousy in our hearts is equal with murder in God's eyes. First John 3:15 says, "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him." We must make sure that we give each situation to the Lord and let Him control our emotions.

 

Are you harboring anger or contempt in your heart? God desires that we have pure hearts that are yielded to Him. We must make sure that no matter what goes on in our lives, God has control of our emotions. Make sure there is no anger in your heart, and ask God to help you have a sweet attitude toward others today.

 

 

 

Daily Bible Reading

Psalm 97-99 • Romans 16

 

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