“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
• To follow these instructions, we must pre-determine obedience and pray that God will empower us to do so! In our own power we will rarely succeed! Quick speech and immediate anger often result from a lack of knowledge of the full truth! Our pride says we will not be done wrong and we want our opinion known! Anger should pass quickly, giving way to prayer and submission to God’s will, thereby adjusting your heart, mind, and actions in a way that will glorify Him! Our Lord says to trust, follow, and honor Him always! God’s righteousness and our prideful anger cannot exist together! May we learn to listen, pause, pray, and then speak with love and respect.
– Do you tend to remain angry about something or at someone?
– How is your anger attaining righteousness for you or glory for God?
– Do your words and your anger replace the righteousness that God desires to fill you with?
– Are you known more for your bold opinions or for your Godliness?
Matthew 12:34-37 “You brood of vipers! How can you speak good when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Dear Lord, may we allow our thoughts to be guided by You, so that our hearts will be transformed by You, resulting in words that honor You. Amen.