The Trap of Anger (I):

“ It came about, as soon as Moses came near the camp, that he saw the calf and the dancing; and Moses’ anger burned, and he threw the tablets from his hands and shattered them at the foot of the mountain.” (Exodus 32 verse 19, New American Standard Bible).

This is the key Bible verse for the “Come and See” devotional today.

Anger is one of the deadliest yet most silent devices used by the devil to halt the destiny of mankind. We are all aware of the deadly impact that anger can have in the life of a man or woman; temporary measures such “anger management” are often used to tame people who are held captive by this force. If left unchecked, anger is strong enough to bring down anyone and to stop their progress, irrespective of how talented they might be.

Anger is a spirit! It is more than just an emotional reaction because a person who is under its influence will not act sensibly and will display symptoms such as violence. Today’s key Bible verse concerns Moses, a man whom God used to deliver the nation of Israel from bondage in Egypt; the devil used anger to stop him from reaching the Promised Land. God wrote the Ten Commandments with His own hand and gave them, engraved on tablets of stone,  to Moses. In the meantime, and while Moses was still on the mountain, the children of Israel made a golden calf and worshipped it. (Read Exodus 32:1-35). God then told Moses what was happening and Moses pleaded on behalf of the Israelites while accepting that their action was wrong. The Bible states: “now the tablets were the work of God and the writing was the writing of God engraved on the tablets” (Exodus 32:16, New King James Version).

When Moses arrived back from the mountain he was extremely angry and he did not stop after smashing the tablets of stone and denying mankind the opportunity to see the writings of Almighty God. He became more violent and the Bible recorded the event that followed: “then he took the calf which they had made, burned it in the fire, and ground it to powder; and he scattered it on the water and made the children of Israel drink it.” (Exodus 32:20, New King James Version).

Anger does not respect anointing. We might like to justify our lasting anger as being “holy anger” but this is wrong because we are children of God and should reflect our Father in all ways. Remember that God’s annoyance is only for a moment (see Psalms 30:5).  Also, in Ecclesiastes 7.9 we read: “Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.” (New King James Version).

When anger takes over a man or woman, it is powerful and difficult to control. We must admit to its presence in our lives and ask God for help through His Holy Spirit. The gentleness of the Holy Spirit will overwhelm all traces of anger in our lives. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control”- Galatians 5 verses 22-23

Let us pray: “Father, by your Grace and Mercy, deliver me from anger. Holy Spirit, I ask you to take control of my emotions,” in Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen.

This message was brought to you by Evangelical Ministries International (EMI). We know this message has been a blessing to you. Please share your testimonies with us by visiting our website www.evangelicalministries.org or contact us on info@evangelicalministries.org. God bless you!