I try to check the source of my anger... because so often... it's self-righteous... and not righteous...
All that self-righteous anger simply feeds the flesh... and not the spirit...
We are called to walk in the Spirit... but when we feed our flesh with anger... we simply give birth to more flesh...
"...Flesh gives birth to flesh,
but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. ..." ---Jesus
John 3:6
The Spirit gives life... the flesh counts for nothing...
"...It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. ..."
---Jesus
John 6:63 ESV
Speaking to a friend this morning... regarding her struggle with anger... this idea of Spirit... and flesh... came up in the conversation...
With a smile... I said... I don't think anger is a fruit of the Spirit...
We reviewed... love... joy... peace... patience... kindness... goodness... faithfulness... gentleness... self-control... no anger... when it comes to the fruit of the Spirit...
This evening on the ride home... I wonder about this...
I know we are not to sin in our anger... and it's not a sin to experience anger...
The question comes...
As fruit-bearers of the Spirit... is there no anger because He says... Vengeance is Mine...?
Are we to trust God with injustice... and its outcome...?
The Beatitudes tell us of those who are blessed...
the poor in spirit...
those who mourn...
the meek...
those who hunger and thirst for righteousness...
the merciful...
the pure in heart...
the peacemakers...
those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake...
But not those angered by injustice... even when it's righteous...
Not those who seek justice... they aren't listed... (unless they come under those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake... suffering trying to help others...)
Jesus... He's the One... who will bring about justice...
He's the only One... who can experience truly righteous anger...
But in the mean time... I'm thinking our role is to trust Him... wait on Him... until He brings justice...
"Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him
and he will bring justice to the nations.
He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth. ..."
Isaiah 42:1-4
Even Jesus... until the time He fixes all things... is gentle... with those who are lost... patient... kind... self-controlled... when it comes to those... who are unrighteous...
However... the time will come... when He brings... establishes... justice on the earth...
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse!
The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True,
and in righteousness he judges and makes war.
Revelation 19:11 ESV
And that is what... we are to wait on... and trust in... as we walk in the Spirit... bearing His fruit... which does not include... anger...
Just some thoughts on... anger...
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