RESISTING ANGER AND HATE IN CONFLICT

Our topic for this week's devotionals, "Resistance to Anger and Hate in Conflict," draws to a close. We pray that you've been encouraged by these scriptures and daily devotionals. Special thanks to our Devotional Team for penning such wonderful encouragement!

Hate wed with anger needs to be resisted. Righteousness wed with anger can be spiritually sound. Christian, do not marry anger with hate, but bring blessing as a 'peacemaker' wherever and whenever the opportunity for reconciliation exists. Always endeavor to be a discerning judge, accepting your own practical imperfection, while knowing that spiritual darkness is as real as the adversary behind it. True righteousness will always fight passionately and comprehensively the darkness that opposes it... true righteousness will "struggle...against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. For this reason take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand therefore..." Ephesians 6:12-14 [CSB]

Expect conflict but be gracious. Expect anger but remember Him. With freedom comes diversity necessarily, but diversity isn't the ends as much as it is the stuff through which unity comes, by way of love and righteousness lived out, with Bible open and Spirit-led waiting. [Glory to God!] Jesus entered diverse crowds and circumstances, and revealed how without compromise, holiness and love fits well, and outfits the world.
He upset the 'merchants' in the temple, and He offered salvation to the woman caught in adultery. He blessed both the Roman centurion and the Jewish tax collector. He embraced the children, and fed the many, knowing many would not follow Him. He cast out demons. He brought life to the deceased. Great is His faithfulness!

Darkness, whether seen as sophisticated, subtle, and pleasing, or raw, brutish, and punitive, must be met by the light, whereof hateful anger has no part. Let your passion be blameless, as He has set you free. Walk in the light as He is in the light. And the big idea: "Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:17 [CSB]

Prayer: Heavenly Father, feelings can come so fast sometimes. Help me to be continually and increasingly submitted to Your word and Your Spirit that the 'transformation' of my desiring will show, no matter what. May I awaken, everyday that You grant, with a mind that is made up, and a will that is prayed up- to Your glory, I ask this. Amen.
By Bro. McNeal Brockington