Scripture to Read: John 2:13–17
Many people question Christ’s actions since our Lord made a whip (“a scourge of cords,” John 2:15) to drive the religious leaders who were using the temple for a place of business out of the temple. What we must know is that God’s anger is always righteous. The problem is that 99.9% of our anger is not righteous. God warns us in His Word about our anger. God tells us in James 1:19–20, “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” God also tells us in Proverbs 16:32, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.” God also tells us in Ecclesiastes 7:9, “Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, for anger resides in the bosom of fools.” Our unrighteous anger is never going to accomplish anything of value. We must always be under the complete control of God’s Holy Spirit. When our emotions begin to move toward anger, we must slow things down and ask ourselves what our anger will accomplish. Even if we think we’ll feel better, it’s not about us, but it’s all about glorifying God. We must ask ourselves this question before reacting: “How am I going to glorify my Lord through what I’m about to say and how I’m about to say it?” We must continually walk guarded for God’s glory.
Challenge & Application
• What did you learn today about anger?
• How does God want us to react when we feel anger rising inside us?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!