Anger: Sometimes You Are Hot

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Anger: Sometimes You Are Hot By Kirk Hunt

 

When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables.

John 2:15 NKJV

 

This was no off-the-cuff reaction.  Jesus calmly thought out His response and actions.  He prepared.  Then He executed.  Jesus used His anger for a noble purpose.  Only the thieving merchants and corrupt Priests complained.

 

The merchants were violating the spirit and letter of the Mosaic Law.  Paying kickbacks to the High Priest was corruption, plain and simple.  Jesus refused to tolerate their open, cynical sin and thievery a moment longer.

 

There is a big difference between anger and rage.  Anger can be controlled, channeled and harnessed for positive use.  Anger fuels the determined, orderly, constructive actions of saints.  Rage drives the impulsive, chaotic, destructiveness of a mob.

 

It is too easy, and destructive, to be full of rage.  Not that it stops folks.  Rage blinds you to the real needs in the situation.  Rage blocks helpful, thoughtful solutions.

 

Jesus planned it out.  Jesus did it openly.  I imagine He stood around and waited for the Temple police (John 18:3) to conduct their investigation.

 

What are you angry about?  There is lots of blatant sin and cynical injustice in the world to be angry about.  Are you prepared to use that anger to fuel a thoughtful, constructive response?  It is easy to be a mob.  It is a little harder to be the solution.

 

Think:             Anger is fuel for doing the right thing, the right way.

 

Pray:               “Lord, help me use anger to honor and serve You and Your people.”

 

 

Copyright © March 2014, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

Haman’s Hate

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“Haman’s Hate” by Kirk Hunt

 

And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.

Esther 3:6 KJV

 

I am not surprised that Haman reacted with rage to Mordecai’s disobedience. Haman’s arrogance and contempt for others shines throughout Esther. Violating such a selfish and self-centered world view had to lead to anger.

It is Haman’s determination to commit genocide over a simple insult that I find monstrous. Anger does lead to hate. Hate leads to all manner of destructive acts.

Too many recent events prove that men and woman like Haman walk among us. They seek to destroy rather than build. They are willing to disrupt, or kill, rather than build or work. Haters always build gallows.

Haman’s hate represents the impact of unfettered rage on the lives of the hated, and the hater. Of course, the hater always blames the object of his or her hate. No matter how much they have to twist the facts and figures, haters always arrive at the same destination.

The tragedy is that destination is the gallows. For their own hanging. Sooner, or later.

Be the man or woman who reacts the way God would. In love. With grace.

Think: As a Christian, I am called to love even my enemies, not hate them.

Pray: “Lord, help me to respond in Your love, not my hate.”

Copyright © August 2011, Kirk Hunt