Ticked off and trapped—Day 19 of the Men’s Swagger Challenge

Joe Wittwer | June 08, 2012

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7-9, Ephesians 4

            Ephesians 4:26-27 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

 

Observation/application

            A few days ago I was frustrated with someone.  When I let my mind run with the anger, I was surprised how fast and how far it ran!  I was thinking crazy thoughts, thinking about doing things I would never think of doing!  I recognized two things right away: 1) I am a sinner and capable of far more evil than I imagine; 2) the devil was taking advantage of my anger.  I quickly “submitted to God and resisted the devil” (James 4:7) and he fled.  With God’s help, my mind turned to happier pastures.

            These verses reminded me of that experience, and that the devil loves to take advantage of our anger.  James said, “the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteous life God desires.” (James 1:20)  I know there is righteous anger—in fact, the first part of verse 26 literally reads, “be angry and don’t sin”—so it possible to be angry and not sin, but do right.  But my anger is rarely righteous; it is almost always selfish.  My selfish anger creates trouble, and gives the devil a foothold, an opportunity to wreak havoc in my life and others.  When I get ticked off, the devil lays a trap for me—if I stay angry, I fall into the trap.

            I’m learning when I feel angry to stop, pray, give it to God…and resist the devil, who is lurking in the shadows of my anger. 

 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for forgiving me all my sins, and reminding me of that when I get angry with others.  Continue to deliver me from my selfish anger—don’t let me be duped by the devil.