Scripture: Psalms 37:8

ANGER MANAGEMENT

By Pastor Darren Bennett

“Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm.”—Psalm 37:8 (NKJV)

When I was growing up, I grappled with anger issues. During my teenage years and up into adulthood, my anger reached its peak. I can even remember a season while dating my wife Christine and her giving me a nickname, “the Incredible Hulk.” She affectionately called me that based on how I responded to different circumstances in anger.

The truth about anger is that it’s a human emotion. What we do as a result of this emotion determines if we are sinning or if we are experiencing “righteous indignation.”

Let’s look to Jesus as a case in point. The Bible tells us that Jesus, out of anger, began to drive out the money changers from the temple (Matthew 21:12). We know that Jesus walked in perfection and did not sin; therefore, this type of anger is considered righteous indignation. Does this mean we should become angry often or about every little thing? Certainly not! Psalm 37 says anger can cause us harm. And James 1:19 (NIV) says, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

I believe the best use of anger is to channel it into something positive. One example is Pastor Doug Sauder. His righteous indignation about how kids were being neglected inspired him to start 4KIDS of South Florida. Scripture is full of examples of righteous anger as well as good or justice manifesting as a result of this emotion. 

Anger is definitely something that can easily turn into sin if we are not cautious. If you are struggling with unhealthy or sinful anger like I was, I encourage you to pray and ask Jesus to help you overcome your anger by flooding your heart with love. Proverbs 10:12 says that hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins. In other words, if you’re dealing with a past hurt that causes you anger, ask Jesus to help free you from that pain through forgiveness and love. I can testify that this really works. Because of my wife’s many prayers and my time spent seeking Jesus diligently about my anger problem, I have been able to harness my emotions of sinful anger!

PAUSE: Read Proverbs 14:17, 16:32, 17:9, and Ecclesiastes 7:9.

PONDER: Are you harboring bitterness because of anger or hurt you have experienced?

PRACTICE: Even as God in Christ forgave you, be willing to forgive others. If your anger has caused you to sin against God or someone else, you may need to ask for forgiveness. Now, walk in the newness of the Lord. 

Scripture: Acts 23:12

VINDICTIVE CORRECTION

By Lisa Supp

“And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.”—Acts 23:12 (NKJV) 

Have you ever felt like the men in the above verse? So consumed with rage that you were willing to go to vindictive extremes? We can look at the above situation and scoff at its absurdity because it doesn’t apply to us . . . But what about when it does?

What about when we see an injustice? Was Moses right to kill the Egyptian who beat his countryman (Exodus 2:12)? Was Absalom justified in having his brother Amnon killed for raping his sister (2 Samuel 13)? Was Peter’s defense of Jesus warranted when his sword sliced off Malchus’ ear (John 18:10)?

Why not make it more relevant. When we see children struggling to breathe, their limp bodies cradled and rinsed down after a chemical warfare attack, how do we possibly marry injustice and forgiveness? Or how about when an injustice happens to us? When we think, Lord, this isn’t fair; I’ve been abused, violated, betrayed. Why? 

Sadly, this sinful world guarantees these experiences. And while God commanded not to seek revenge or hold grudges, that we love our neighbors as ourselves (Leviticus 19:18), we all have those moments when we’d rather fall back on the “eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth” approach. Yet, that principle is an allocation for lawful justice, not vigilante justice. In greater light, Jesus complements the “eye and tooth” mindset with “turn the other cheek” and “go the extra mile” (Matthew 5:38–39).

Turning the other cheek and going the extra mile . . . at times, nothing in me can do this. There are those great injustices I cannot excuse. Yet, Jesus beckons, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you” (Psalm 55:22 NKJV).

By taking my hurt or anger to Christ, I trust that vengeance is His (Romans 12:19). He conforms me into the image and likeness of His Son; in trust, I lay my bitterness at the cross—the cross where a dying Man cried, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34 NKJV). 

Vindictiveness can never produce fruit. It can only produce more vindictiveness— defiling us with a root of bitterness (Hebrews 12:15). Author Philip Yancey describes it this way, “God can ‘handle’ my unsuppressed rage. I may well find that my vindictive feelings need God’s correction—but only by taking those feeling to God will I have the opportunity for corrections and healing.”

PAUSE: Read through Genesis 37–50. What can you learn about the life of Joseph? Contrast that with the life of Absalom (2 Samuel 13–19).

PONDER: What do you think is at the root of vindictiveness?

PRACTICE: Is it hard for you to lay aside your own fear and pride and let God be in control? If so, take that bitterness to Him now and ask Him to be your Judge, Defender, and Allocator of justice.

Scripture: Proverbs 25:21

THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE

By Pastor Darren Bennett

“If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.”—Proverbs 25:21 (NKJV)

Growing up, I encountered a lot of people I considered enemies. There were bullies in the neighborhood, mean kids at school, and a drunk stepfather at home who verbally abused us. As I got older, my list of enemies seemed to grow—and my ability to tolerate them didn’t. Instead, a growing anger stirred inside of me. 

As a non-Christian young man growing up in a volatile home situation, my response to enemies was quite simple: revenge. I would go out of my way to make people pay for what I calculated to be an injustice toward me. I spent unnecessary time and energy formulating plans for retribution. Sadly, this lifestyle caused me a world of stress and a lack of peace. 

It wasn’t until I became a Christian that I realized the error in my thinking and behavior. It was then that I understood my own sinful behavior was offensive and at times even abominable to Christ—and yet He still saw enough potential in me to pursue a love relationship with me. Christ created me with a great purpose, and He looked beyond my poor choices and sin nature and saw who I could become. 

I learned that Christ died on the cross for me—even though I was an enemy of God (Romans 5:10). But Christ never treated me as an enemy; He unconditionally loved me. He considered me His joy, even as He endured my shame on the cross (Hebrews 12:1-2). 

Coming to terms with that reality shifted my mindset regarding my perceived adversaries. Christ looked upon us and saw potential. He sees past our brokenness and views us as His bride. 

What if we did the same thing? What if we viewed every adversary as a potential friend? Man, this world would be a lot different. We’d have a lot less stress and way more peace! It’s difficult, but it’s certainly worth the effort. 

PAUSE: Read Matthew 5:43-48 and Romans 12:14-21.

PONDER: Honestly examine whether you find it difficult to demonstrate love toward your enemies or even those in your family who may strongly and unjustly oppose you.

PRACTICE: Would you be willing to go out of your way to show kindness toward someone in your life who may not deserve it? Try it this week!

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-23

SEEDS AND FRUIT

By Danny Saavedra

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”—Galatians 5:19–23 (NIV)

What kind of fruit do you get if you plant a mango tree? You guessed it . . . mangos! You know what you won’t get? Bananas or peaches or apples. This should be obvious, right? 

Friends, I don’t think you’re dumb. I know you understand how trees and fruits work. But I want to make this as clear as I possibly can so we can see the biblical truth here. In the same way I can’t expect a mango tree to produce oranges, I also can’t expect my life to produce the fruit of the Spirit if I’m sowing seeds of the flesh. 

In John 3:6 (NIV), Jesus says, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” Translation: Only the Spirit in us can produce the fruit of the Spirit. A life that is rooted in the Spirit will see the Spirit produce His fruit in and through our lives. Deep gospel roots produce ripe gospel fruit.

A life that is walking in step with the Spirit—a life the Spirit is working in—will produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It will naturally flow from a heart that is submitted and surrendered to Him. 

On the flip side, it will be obvious when a life is not submitted to the Spirit, when the Holy Spirit is not working in a life. How? Because that life will NOT produce the fruit of the Spirit. It will produce the fruit of the flesh: immorality, envy, dissension, hatred, rage, jealousy, and idolatry. 

At times, a life that is in step with the Spirit may fall into jealousy or rage or lust or idolatry. However, it will not be a consistent lifestyle. The Spirit does not produce sin or a sinful lifestyle in us. He can only produce that which is good and godly. 

Now, please don’t take this message and begin evaluating everyone around you to determine whether they’re walking in the Spirit or in the flesh. Use it as a tool of self-examination to determine where you are and whether or not you are submitted unto the Spirit and allowing Him to work in and through you.

PAUSE: Describe someone who is walking in step with the Spirit. What does their life look like? 

PONDER: How can you identify fruit in your life? 

PRACTICE: Do some self-examination today. Are you walking in the Spirit and producing good fruit? 

Scripture: Galatians 5:24-25

CRUCIFYING THE FLESH

By Danny Saavedra

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”—Galatians 5:24–26 (NIV)

Yesterday, we established that a heart surrendered to the Spirit will not engage in a sinful lifestyle, nor will it produce the fruit of the flesh because the seeds being sown are of the Spirit. While this doesn’t mean we will never sin or fall short or make mistakes, it does mean that a life surrendered to the Spirit will not bear the fruit (which is the result of an entire process) of the flesh—the sinful life. It will not be defined by sinfulness; it will not be consumed by sinfulness. It will, by and large, be defined the fruit produced by the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control). We may get angry, but we will no longer be uncontrollably angry people because the Spirit is producing the fruit of peace, patience, gentleness, and self-control in us as we grow in our daily relationship with Jesus and study His Word; we may tell a lie in a weak moment, but we’re no longer habitual liars because the Spirit is working love and kindness into it. 

Today, we see the reason why and the daily call to action for the believer in Christ. Paul tells us, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” 

This is a declaration of the state in which we as believers find ourselves. Earlier, in Galatians 2:20 (NIV), Paul tells us, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” Not only that, but in Romans 6:4 (NIV), he tells us, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” When we surrender our lives to Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit, we are given new life. We who were once slaves to sin have been set free (Galatians 5:1). 

With the Spirit of God in us, guiding, leading, convicting, compelling, equipping, and empowering us, we can now say “No to ungodliness and worldly passions,” and “live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:12 NIV). The old way, the old life, has been buried through the washing and renewing of our souls by the Holy Spirit. Now, please understand that this isn’t an overnight process. When we put our faith in Jesus, we are instantly and forever forgiven and justified (made innocent and clean and pure in the sight of God) because of Jesus Christ, as the Holy Spirit of God indwells us. But our sanctification process, the process of us becoming more and more like Jesus and less and less sinful, of us being changed from the inside out, that is a lifelong process that never changes. And the hope is that every day, we will be a little more like Jesus than we were the day before!

That’s the why. Now, here’s the call to action that goes along with it: “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Because of the Spirit, we’ve been renewed and set free from the chains of sin. But if we want to continue to walk in this newfound freedom and not give power to that which no longer has power over us, then we need to walk in step with the Spirit. We must daily die to self, align ourselves to the will and work of God in us, and grow deeper in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. 

The Spirit is moving and working; He has amazing things in store for us. Not only that, but also He gives us the power, strength, wisdom, and boldness to carry it out. All we need to do is walk hand-in-hand with Him! 

PAUSE: What does it mean to walk “in step” with the Spirit?

PONDER: What are things you can do daily to ensure you’re consistently walking in step with the Spirit?  

PRAY: In your prayer time, ask for a fresh outpouring of the Spirit in your heart and life as you seek to abide and align yourself to His will and work for your daily life. 

Scripture: Romans 12:18

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PEACE AND QUIET

By Danny Saavedra

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”—Romans 12:18 (NASB)

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “True peace is not merely the absence of tension.” But the truth is, we oftentimes settle for the absence of outward tension. Think about it . . . how often do you hear the words “peace” and “quiet” lumped together? “Why don’t you all go and play outside? Mom and Dad need a bit of peace and quiet.” “Class, please! There are other students still taking the test. Can we have a little peace and quiet?” 

The funny thing is, even though we have bound these two things, they’re not at all the same. And yet, for some reason we so often settle for the latter—quiet—even if, beneath the surface, all out strife, rage, bitterness, and conflict are taking place. 

Let me get this out of the way now: When Paul says, “Be at peace with all men,” he is definitely not talking about quiet. And listen to this . . . He’s also not talking about the absence of anger, tension, or conflict. It goes well beyond that and speaks of something much deeper. The Greek word he uses here for living at peace is eirēneuontes. It describes “living in the condition of God’s peace, the gift of wholeness, and cultivating or keeping harmony and integrity.” 

The apostle is calling us to be people who are peaceable, peaceful, and gentle. He’s calling us to be friendly, considerate, sincere, and full of mercy; to embody peace and goodwill; and to bring it out of people as they are soothed by our presence—as if being in the presence of Jesus. Do you live in a way that promotes peace with others and invokes peace in others? Are you effectively distributing the peace of God to those around you? If not, what’s keeping you from doing so?

For many, the reason is actually in the first part of today’s verse: “If possible, so far as it depends on you . . .” Often, we don’t live at peace with others because we’re depending on others. Our ability to live at peace isn’t dependent upon us, but upon everyone else. When others don’t act in the way we want them to, when they don’t live up to our expectations, when they act poorly and transgress against us, we often default to anger, vengeance, and conflict. But what does that solve? How does that improve the situation at all? it doesn’t!

At the end of the day, you can’t control what others do, but you can control what you do and how you react. Maybe others will commit acts of war, but that shouldn’t impact what you do! You should turn the other cheek, show compassion and grace, and diffuse the peace of God. Remember this, when you stand before the Lord, you’re not going to answer for how others treated you, just for how you lived and treated others in light of the gospel of Jesus. 

PAUSE: Read Romans 12 and Matthew 5.

PONDER: How are you living right now? Are you seeking peace or just quiet? Are you depending on others for peace or are you bringing the peace of God into your relationships and interactions?

PRACTICE: Be a peacemaker today. Even when people are difficult or warring against you, diffuse every situation with peace and grace. 

Scripture: Matthew 5:5

BLESSED ARE THE MEEK

By Danny Saavedra

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”—Matthew 5:5 (NIV)

As I examine the entire Marvel Studios collection, I’ve most enjoyed the Captain America films. There is just so much heart and sincerity in the character, and a real moral center! For me, one of the most poignant scenes in the entire trilogy took place in the first film when Steve Rogers asks the doctor why he was chosen for the Super-Soldier Program. And Dr. Erskine, played by the fantastic Stanley Tucci, answers: “Because the strong man who has known power all his life may lose respect for that power, but a weak man knows the value of strength and knows compassion.”

As I considered today’s verse, this scene immediately came to mind! You see, it all goes back to the word meek. In the Greek, this word is praeis, which means mild or gentle. It’s the balance between gentleness and strength.

While some attach a negative connotation to the term meek, almost thinking of it as weakness, I can assure you that biblical meekness is the opposite of weakness. Rather, meekness refers to exercising God’s strength under His control. It’s understanding and valuing power because you know that true power only comes from God. And because you have this understanding, you cling to compassion rather than anger. It’s acting—and reacting—as Christ did, without undue harshness; it’s saying “NO” to rage and fury and responding instead with patience, kindness, sincerity, and love.

Meekness also speaks of endurance—of being hurt but having the restraint to not seek wrath and vengeance. Why? Because you know that God will vindicate you in the end. It’s constantly reminding yourself of Romans 12:19 (NIV) which says, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord.” Theologian Joseph Barnes emphasized that “Meekness . . . is neither meanness nor a surrender of our rights, nor cowardice; but it is the opposite of sudden anger, of malice, of long-harbored vengeance.”

And above all, practicing meekness produces peace. It’s proof of the soul’s reliance on God, of the mark the Spirit has made on our heart! It’s what happens when we come to Jesus and take His yoke upon us, because He is “meek and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29 KJV). It comes from a heart that understands who God is and who you are in Him, so much so that you aren’t moved to anger or shaken by insults and persecution. It looks upon others—even those who seek to harm you—with compassion. That’s why the meek inherit the earth—the new earth, the inheritance of God’s children!

PAUSE: Read John 18:23, Acts 16:37, Matthew 11:29, and Romans 12:19.

PONDER: Can you think of a time when you’ve exercised meekness or saw it in the actions of someone else? What was the result of it?

PRACTICE: This week, as you interact with others, intentionally exercise meekness, reliance on the Lord, and show the compassion of Christ

Scripture: Ephesians 4:2

HOW TO AVOID EVERY KIND OF CONFLICT

By Lyli Dunbar

“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”—Ephesians 4:2 (NLT)

I grew up in the 1970s, before the Internet and Xboxes. The tiny square television in our living room was the primary form of family entertainment. We had no remote control. My dad sat in his leather recliner, and I walked to the front of the room and changed the channels to his favorite shows. Most nights, I laughed along with Mary Tyler Moore, Hawkeye Pierce, and George Jefferson, but on Tuesday nights my temper flared as I endured thirty minutes of Archie Bunker bulldozing over his mousy wife.

I know Edith Bunker is only a fictional character, but my eight-year-old-self wanted to jump through the television screen and rise up to her defense. Why didn’t she fight back?  How could she respond with grace to such a grump? I viewed her meekness as weakness. 

But now that I am older and wiser, I know better. Edith Bunker was a wise woman who loved well and suffered long. Her kind, gentle spirit created stability in a very difficult setting.   

In Ephesians 4, Paul addresses believers and encourages them to promote unity in the Church. He admonishes them to lay aside pride, pushy demands, and impatience because the Church is a family, and we must decide to fight for each other rather than with each other. Paul challenges us to be patient instead of fixating on the faults of our brother or sister. He exhorts us to set aside our resentment and righteous indignation so we may serve one another in love.  

Perhaps you’ve logged on to Facebook or Twitter and lamented how grumpy people misuse words to bulldoze others with their opinions. Maybe you’ve considered firing off a well-crafted retaliatory response. But instead of shouting louder, let’s speak kindness and extend grace.  

Long-suffering love perseveres through pain and provocation. Rather than strong-arm our way forward, we are called to stand strong and steadfast in the Spirit with submissive hearts fully surrendered to God’s sovereignty. God will grant us the grit and grace we require to continue loving one another.

PAUSE: Read Colossians 3:8-14 and make a list of Christ-like qualities we are to “wear in love.” 

PONDER: Read Jonah 4. What do you learn about long-suffering love from God’s response to the rebellious prophet? 

PRACTICE:  Pray through difficult encounters with negative people. Ask God to give you His perspective and help you temper your responses. 

Scripture: Proverbs 12:20

THE BLESSING OF PEACE

By Rob Nieminen

“Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but counselors of peace have joy.”—Proverbs 12:20 (NKJV)

One of the most memorable stories in the Old Testament about the devious nature of the human heart is found in the Book of Genesis. In chapter 27, we read about how Jacob tricked his father, Isaac, into giving him his brother Esau’s blessing.

As the story goes, Isaac was nearing the end of his life and wanted to bestow his blessing on his oldest son, Esau, as was the custom of the day. He instructs him to go hunting and prepare him a last meal of his favorite food before he dies. Overhearing the conversation, Isaac’s wife, Rebekah, tells their younger son, Jacob, to pose as his older brother and serve his blind father a meal she would prepare from their flock so this “momma’s boy” could steal their father’s prized blessing.

Jacob agrees to his mother’s devious plan, putting on his brother’s clothes to mask his scent and placing goat hair on his arms as a disguise to hide his youthful appearance. Although Isaac becomes suspicious and asks him his true identity, Jacob perpetuates the lie and ends up securing the blessing.

What is the end result of Jacob’s deception? At his mother’s advice, he flees his home to another country while Esau’s anger subsides—a family feud that took more than 20 years to settle.

In light of today’s verse, how do we interpret this story? It’s safe to say that those who lie and practice deception will reap what they sow: discord and turmoil. If you’ve ever spent time around people who have a hard time telling the truth, you can attest to the fact that drama and problems seem to follow them wherever they go.

On the other hand, those who promote peace will find the blessing of joy. In Hebrew, the word shalom (or peace) doesn’t just mean the absence of conflict; it also implies completeness, soundness, welfare, contentment, friendship, and much more. Given its rich interpretation, it’s no wonder that Jesus declared in Matthew 5:9 (NIV), “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

Although it may be difficult and even painful to tell the truth at times, the rewards of living with a clear conscience and being at peace with yourself and others is worth more than the temporary gain of practicing deceit.

PAUSE: Be completely honest with yourself: Do you have a hard time telling the truth? If so, consider the consequences that have resulted from your deceit. Was it worth the trouble it caused you?

PONDER: Read 1 John 1:5–10. What does this challenging passage tell you about the importance of being truthful? What does it say about God’s desire to cleanse us from our sin? What is required of us?

PRACTICE: Make a commitment to speak the truth and ask God to empower you by His Spirit to do so. As you begin to reap the benefits of a life of peace and joy, give Him glory for His forgiveness and faithfulness.