I heard and released these words from the Lord recently:
"This is a crucial time not to be reactive to whatever that provokes you! This is a crucial time not to be overcome by anger! Because your future is at stake! Don't repeat Moses' mistakes! Instead of speaking to the rock, he struck the rock twice in anger! Let My Spirit fill you and let My Spirit flow in you! For you shall walk in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control!"
Galatians 5:22-23 says 'the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control', and Ephesians 4:26-27 says, '"In your anger do not sin"; Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold'.
What does it mean by 'Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry'?
It can mean:
- not prolonging your anger beyond sunset;
- not bringing your anger into your sleep;
- and of course, not brooding over it, stimulating it, or 'adding fire' to it!
If you notice the verse in Ephesians 4:26, the Scripture never says 'anger is a sin', but it says "In your anger do not sin". It shows to us that 'anger' is a real emotion, a very human emotion. Yet we are not to ignore it, or 'sweep it under the carpet'. Ephesians 4:30-32 says further, 'And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God... Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you'.
So, the question now is 'When does an anger cause us to sin?'
The answer is 'When we lose our temper! Or when we are overcome by that anger!'
People of God, this is one area you've got to guard against in this time and season! Don't be overly-reactive to any 'provocation' against you! Don't go into unnecessary fights and quarrels! Take long, deep breaths often; and let the Holy Spirit fill you and flow through you!
Let us learn from the mistakes of Moses, whose uncontrolled anger eventually led to him being denied access to the promised land. You can see that in Numbers 20:1-13. By that time, the people of Israel had reached the Wilderness of Zin (Wilderness of thorn), but there was no water to drink there. The people then complained and contended bitterly with Moses, and even questioned his leadership. It was a time of great distress and frustration for Moses.
The Lord then gave the answer to the people's water woes, saying to Moses, "Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals." So, Moses and Aaron gathered the people together before the rock; and Moses said to them, "Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?" Then Moses struck the rock twice with his rod, and water did come out.
But the Lord was displeased because Moses did not heed His command exactly, and did not represent His heart of mercy and providence to the people. The Lord then spoke to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them."
What caused a great man of God like Moses to be overcome by anger, which in turn led to his disobedience to God's command, and eventually costing him the access to the promised land? It was due to his suppressed frustration. In fact, this frustration has been 'simmering' inside him for some time. Imagine the complaints, the contentions, the murmurings, the questioning of his leadership, the 'Why?', 'Why?' and more 'Whys?'; not just on that day, but for many, many days! All these came together, and it finally boiled over!
Of course, it wasn't easy at all for Moses. Yet, in spite of all these, the glory of the Lord still appeared to Moses in his time of need! (Numbers 20:6) The Lord was actually showing He's still with him, and He had never left him, nor forsaken him! And the Lord would even give him a solution!
People of God, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If you've been going through similar time of distress and frustration, or you've been tempted to 'react' adversely to a provocation, know that the Lord is still your very present help in time of need. He will never leave you, nor forsake you. And He will give you a solution too! Just do not be overcome by anger. Because by doing that, you are giving the devil a foothold. Instead, keep looking to the Lord, and let Him take over. I pray things are going to get better for you. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Here are some biblical ways in dealing with whatever the world has to 'throw' against you:
- Pray in the Spirit always (Ephesians 6:18)
- Cast your care/burden/anxiety/frustration to the Lord (1 Peter 5:7)
- When you pray, forgive, so your prayer is not hindered (Mark 11:25)
- Bless, and not curse; pray for those who mistreat you (Luke 6:28)
- Praise the Lord at all times (Psalm 34:1)
