City Life Starter

Written by Blesson Selvanesan

The Word

₂₆ “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, ₂₇ nor give place to the devil.

Ephesians 4:26-27 (NKJV)

Interpretation

We live in a society that gives great weightage to emotions often more than the necessary weight. It has come to a point that emotions have become a barometer to one’s virtue. The society today does not judge one by their conduct, character or moral values rather by what makes one emotionally charged. The modern word is ‘outrage’ which is an extreme form or anger that is displayed publicaly. We have reached a point where, we have to synchronize our outrage with the society, showing no such emotions or wrong emotions will get you branded as a bigot of some kind. Sadly, this worldly phenomenon has crept into our homes and churches. We cannot agree on anything and we cannot disagree on anything without degrading each other. Our society has become a fan of outrage war cries and some of us has become outrage factories!

These verses have been instrumental in keeping my anger in check and use it to do constructive things. This is a great teaching from Paul, who shows where to draw the line. Feelings including anger can be a constructive emotion if it is rooted on the objective truth, however if it’s rooted on the subjective feelings itself (new fad is to call it ‘my truth’, although there is no such thing!), it will lead to disasters. I had to check myself with God many times. God is slow to anger; am I slow or am I outraged at everything instantly? Do I reflect God in this aspect?

I want to give an illustration from my experience that taught me a valuable lesson. When I was a freshman in college, one day I went to the cafeteria. Ragging (bullying) was very common those days especially if you are a freshman. A group of seniors came to me and said something, I ignored and went to the counter to get what I wanted. Suddenly one short scrawny guy blocked my path and blew his cigarette smoke right into my face. I shrugged and said I don’t smoke and tried to leave. Immediately all his friends surrounded me with lighted cigarettes and took turns to blow smoke on my face. I was angry and felt like I should punch and kick them. But, I kept my calm. Next year for my social ethics project, I quietly spent almost six months collecting data, persuading students and wrote a thesis saying why smoking should be banned on the campus. I presented my findings at the college forums and lobbied with student leaders and within a year the cafeteria stopped selling cigarettes and smoking was banned on the campus!

Application

Homes, society and churches change if we channel our anger in the right way. Jesus showed it by turning the tables at the temple. Martin Luther was angry with the corrupt church and led the reformation. Wilberforce was outraged at the slavery and his actions started paving the way to end slavery. Vengeance and revenge are sinful motivations, righteous anger leads to positive changes. Anger, if not exercised with caution, will let the devil gain a foothold and extend his kingdom by causing chaos. It’s easy to fall into the trap and become an outrage factory. Let’s use this God given emotion to constructive uses that will uplift our homes, churches and society. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us all the emotions. Help me to keep all my emotions under the control of my will which is governed by the Holy Spirit. Let my anger be used for right reasons and within measure. Help me to forgive and give grace. Help me to heal and not yield to the designs of the devil. Help me to be holy and exalt You through my feelings and emotions in the light of the Truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.