The Devil’s Foothold

 The Devil’s Foothold

 

You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.

JAMES 1.19-20

 

“Don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

EPHESIANS 4.26-27

 

People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.

PROVERBS 14.29

 

Do you ever find yourself “practicing” things you’d like to say to someone you’re angry with? We want to be ready to win the war of words! Then we talk to other people about what and who has made us angry, asking them to take our side and feel outraged on our behalf. All the while, we keep throwing logs on the fire of our anger, building our case and assuming the worst about the other person’s motives and actions.

Anger is a natural reaction when we feel threatened or injured. But then we have a choice about what we are going to do with that feeling. Will we replay our hurts over and over in our heads — and then plot and imagine how delicious it would be to put those people in their place? Or will we refuse to allow the poison of anger to rot us on the inside?

We do not have to let anger control us when someone does something that hurts us. We will be tempted to be consumed by this feeling, but we can refuse to give in to that temptation. While anger may be a natural reaction in many situations — and may even be justified by our circumstances — Jesus is all about transforming us on the inside so that we are no longer bound to do what comes naturally. The Holy Spirit in us empowers us to respond supernaturally. He gives us the strength we need to stop demanding what we think we deserve from other people.

Anger becomes sin as we allow it to stir our emotions and steer our actions. Don’t let your anger stick around. Let it go.