In Your Anger Do Not Sin

Take a moment to seriously consider how much do your emotions affect your actions on any given day?

I'll admit, my emotions affect MOST of my actions on any given day. The scary thing is, I often express those emotions in sinful ways. Rather than pray for my enemies, I'll often pick up the telephone and gossip or slander. Rather than calming myself down and being thankful for the duties of motherhood, I'll find opportunity to rip into my children's actions with a loud and quick-tempered "I TOLD YOU NOT TO DO THAT!!!" Rather than joyfully accepting the loving and much needed corrections of my husband, I'll sulk in a corner mentally counting his wrongs and excusing mine. Even in the minor duties of day-to-day tasks I'll find occasion to squander my responsibilities on account of my feelings!

But the Bible has an answer for getting a grip on our out-of-control emotions. And you've probably guessed it: set your mind on Him.

You will keep him in perfect peace,

Whose mind is stayed on You,

Because he trusts in You. -Isaiah 26: 3

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,

whatever things are noble, whatever things are just,

whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely,

whatever things are of good report,

if there is any virtue and if there is

anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

The things which you learned and received

and heard and saw in me, these do,

and the God of peace will be with you. -Philippians 4: 8-9

If then you were raised with Christ,

seek those things which are above,

where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

Set your mind on things above,

not on things on the earth. -Colossians 3: 1-2

Now that you have considered your emotions and the extent to which they can overcome your actions, take another moment to consider which emotion you have the hardest time controlling? Consider how you generally express that emotion and how God would have you express it. You may even want to use one of the following promises or commands to help provide the means by which your emotions may be steadied in the midst of a storm:

• God’s Word promises, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). Therefore, we don’t have to be overcome by loneliness.
• God’s Word promises, “My God will meet all your needs” (Philippians 4:19). Therefore, we don’t have to stay awake at night worrying about how the mortgage will get paid.
• God’s Word promises, “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken” (Isaiah 54:10). Therefore, we don’t have to live in dread of an uncertain future.
• God’s Word says, “Do not be afraid” (John 14:27). That means we don’t have to give in to fear, regardless of our circumstances.
• God’s Word say, “Don’t worry about anything” (Philippians 4:6 TLB). That means that even in the midst of stressful circumstances, we don’t have to be anxious.
• God’s Word says, “Give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). That means we can choose to be thankful, even when everything around us seems to be falling apart.
• God’s Word says, “Love you enemies” (Matthew 5:44). That means, by the power of the Spirit, we can choose to love anyone—no matter how greatly they have wronged us.
• God’s Word says, “If you hold anything against anyone, forgive him” (Mark 11:25). That means there is no one we cannot choose to forgive, no matter how deeply they may have hurt us or sinned against us. (DeMoss, 198-199)
  

Part of setting our minds on things above is burying ourselves in rich communion with God through prayer. The Psalms show us that in the midst of some very difficult emotional struggles David understood the value of pouring out his heart to the Lord. Whether he was joyful, angry, sad, fearful, or humbled; through his Psalms he gave us good examples of bringing God into our struggles:

Psalm 6

1 O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger,

Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure.

2 Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak;

O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled.

3 My soul also is greatly troubled;

But You, O LORD—how long?

4 Return, O LORD, deliver me!

Oh, save me for Your mercies’ sake!

5 For in death there is no remembrance of You;

In the grave who will give You thanks?

6 I am weary with my groaning;

All night I make my bed swim;

I drench my couch with my tears.

7 My eye wastes away because of grief;

It grows old because of all my enemies.

8 Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity;

For the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping.

9 The LORD has heard my supplication;

The LORD will receive my prayer.

10 Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled;

Let them turn back and be ashamed suddenly.

The previous Psalm displays some Truths about God that helped David find emotional stability. Can you find them?

DeMoss, Nancy Leigh; Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free (Chicago: Moody, 2001)