This article is the fourth part of the series, “How to be Victorious in a Spiritual Battle.” Today, we’ll take a look at Ephesians 4: 17-32. That portion of Scripture says…
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how, as Christians, we are supposed to be very different than those who haven’t had a personal, transforming, experience with Jesus Christ. This Scripture talks about that very topic, so let’s take a good look at what it says in this passage.
Over the years, I have met a fair number of people who are sincere in their love for the Lord, and their desire to live in such a way that pleases Him. Some of those same people are struggling to be victorious in their Christian journeys.
As I read this passage, I can’t help but think about the importance of being intentional in living in such a way as is pleasing to God. James 4:7-8 says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
This passage highlights something else that is important. It has a fair bit to say about anger.
There are any number of reasons why someone can become angry, and even get stuck there for a while. When looking at another person – as an outsider to their circumstances, it may be difficult or even impossible, to know the full story of their lives and experiences, and the emotional scars that those situations have left on them. Remembering that, helps us not to judge those whose behavior may not be the best that we think it should be.
Oftentimes people are angry to some extent, because of the way others have treated them, their perception of unfairness in their life circumstances, or unsatisfied hopes and dreams.
Satan is a liar (John 8:44) and a thief (John 10:10), and he will manipulate your thoughts and emotions to cause you to feel mad and upset.
When we live in anger – it damages our ability to live according to the instructions given in this Passage from Ephesians 4.
James 1:19-20 speaks about the consequences of living in anger. “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
Thus, anger can become the tool that Satan uses to destroy us. If we allow our anger to remain unresolved, Satan can destroy our peace, and our future filled with hope and a purpose that God intends for us. Confessing to God that our anger is wrong, and asking Him to work in our hearts to replace the anger with a Godly attitude is a good place to start.
Being angry can cause our hearts to become hardened, and therefore it prevents us from living in the fullness that God has planned for our lives.
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. God knows that if we embrace anger for long, it can lead to unforgiveness, bitterness and rage, and those things open the door for Satan to enter the situation and make things much worse within the angry person, and within the relationship(s) between the angry person and others.
My prayer for all of us is that we be quick to deal with our anger towards any situation or person. Ephesians 4:31-32 offer this advice on the matter, “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.”
