Memory Verse: So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20
Scripture Reading: Romans 12:9-21; Ephesians 5
Introduction:
Emotions were bestowed upon men by a loving God so that they would have the ability of self-expression. The Heavenly Father expected men to ponder the very miracle of their existence, and to further use this remarkable creative power as a means of praising and glorifying their Creator. Had God wanted nothing more than unfeeling, expressionless automatons it would have been well within His power to fashion them. Indeed, all other living creatures do operate in just such a manner. God has programmed birds, beasts, and reptiles, to function predicable according to their respective species. In other words, a beaver lives, mates, eats, carries out its predetermined mission in life, (building dams, felling trees, etc.) and dies, just like all the beavers have done before. Likewise, with the honeybees which continues on in exactly the same manner as all previous bees. The creatures of water, field and sky exercise few prerogatives. Unfortunately, the range of emotions corresponding to man’s free will does not always serve his best interests. Properly restrained and handled with care, they are of great benefit, but like fire, they can create havoc when allowed to run out of control.
How many marriages have been destroyed by emotional outburst? How many lifetime friendships have been spoiled by an unbridled tongue? Often, lives are permanently scarred by the flailing ill-advised words of another. Anger is the most destructive emotion of all. Harsh words can trigger physical response, with injury and bloodshed following. Wars result when political leaders succeed in stirring up entire nations to anger. And. what about fear? Healthy fear is good; it was given for protection and self-preservation. But, if we allow fear to consume us, we will become paralyzed, unable to function at all. Like the other emotions, fear is contagious. We can riddle the lives of our children, mates, and relatives with excessive fears and phobias if we are careless. If we are in positions of leadership, we can completely unravel those whom we are supposed to direct and inspire.
Our world today is fraught with misapplied emotion. With spiraling inflation, shortages of food, fuel, unemployment, threats of war and terrorism, is it any wonder that men and women are short tempered and anxious? In this sort of climate, the Christian is charged with more responsibility than ever before to help maintain sanity in an otherwise insane world.
If a Christian gets angry in difficult circumstances, the practical righteousness of God will not be evident in his or her life. So often when someone “wrongs” us our natural reaction is to retaliate, at least verbally, but this response does not glorify God. However, the Word of God that has been implanted in us should be heard and received with a teachable spirit and applied to our daily lives. To hear and not obey is to be deceived, holding our tongue, trying to understand the other person’s position, and leaving vindication to God, demonstrates godly love in these tense situations. Concentrate on good, live peaceably, leave vengeance to the Lord. By taking charge of our emotions we are free from the vengeance and may then give ourselves to mercy, even toward our enemies.
Study Questions:
- Hostility and controversies are linked to our emotions, are such things controllable? Ephesians 4:25-27.
- How are God’s people to deal with their anger? Ephesians 4:28-32; Proverbs 16:32; Proverbs 14:29; Proverbs 15:1-4; Proverbs 19:11; Psalm 37:8-9, 11. Note: Often it is not so much what we say but the way we say it that prompts such varied responses, either as acceptance or wrath.
- When you do have a conflict with another person, what are you supposed to do? Ephesians 5:15-21; Colossians 3:12-17.
- Does this include our families? Colossians 3:18-25.
- Since all human action originates first in the mind, what sort of mind should the Christians strive to develop? Isaiah 26:3; Matthew 22:37-38; Romans 12:2; 15:5-7; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Philippians 2:5-8. Note: All actions begin within your mind, “right” thinking produces “right” actions, and our actions are the fruit of our deepest thoughts.
- How shall we deal with carnal thoughts? James 4:7-10; Matthew 5:27-30; Psalm 34:13-14.
- How should we deal with our enemies? Romans 12:14-21; Matthew 5:44-45; Luke 6:27-36.
- What does God’s Word tell us about fear? 2 Timothy 1:7; Hebrews 13:5-6; 1 John 4:18.
- What about that other kind of fear, the “fear of the Lord”? Job 28:28; Proverbs 29:25; Proverbs 1:7. Note: the “fear of the Lord” is the most basic ingredient in wisdom.