HOLY PARAMETERS

Conflict is never a desirable interaction, but God has deemed it necessary to produce spiritual growth in us and conformity into the image of Jesus Christ. But, LORD, is there another way? Nope! We must trust God's process! So this week, join our Devotional Team and be prepared for the challenge of the topic, "Resistance to Anger and Hate in Conflict." Purpose to commit these scriptures to memory and watch what the Lord will do!

Many of us who are parents have heard, hopefully very early in our parenting journey, that good parents give their young children parameters. As soon as they are old enough to understand the word “No,” or can themselves utter the same to others, we are being the MOST loving by clarifying for them the boundaries of good vs. unacceptable behavior. Such instructions must be given in love, because as one eminent preacher frequently stated, ‘RULES WITHOUT RELATIONSHIP LEAD TO REBELLION.’ Our Lord and Savior originated this principle back in the garden of Eden [Genesis 2:15-17 & 4:1-8]. He tells us “In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry…” because doing so gives the devil FOOTHOLDS [opportunities] in our lives.

We must never forget that Christ came for this very purpose: to destroy the devil’s work [1 John 3:8] . That said, how is it that we so often grieve the Spirit by indulging fleshly emotional “tantrums?” I’m a witness to how easily one’s anger can get a soul into some “hot water.” How grateful I am for the conviction and spiritual growth ignited by His indwelling Spirit and 1 John 1:9!

Our Lord loves us too much to not warn us about the seriousness of self-justifying anger. He, as our omniscient Savior, knows what unchecked, unrighteous anger can often lead to—murder! And we can surely appreciate that “The wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God [James 1:20]. Let’s come clean with ourselves, saints! How many offenses, petty and major, have led us to sometimes “slaying” that offending party in our mind? God takes these heart attitudes and festering animosities most seriously, and WE should, as well! His Son was nailed to a cross to remove the power of such sins from our heart! That’s how seriously our God takes such well-contained/ “hidden” hostilities! Given what our sins cost the Lord God who sees and knows it ALL, WE must repent in earnest and resist indulging any heart attitude, such as anger, that belies our identity in Christ.

PRAYER: Dear Abba, we pray that You will so re-sensitize us to our own particular besetting sins, such as anger, bitterness, resentments, that we will determine to mortify them “in private,” lest they become a stronghold for the enemy, leading to further grievance of Your Spirit and public humiliation. Thank You, in Jesus’ faithful name; amen!
By Sis. Denise Diggs