Memory verses for this week – James 1:19-20
So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God.
James 1:19 & 20
There is so much anger in the world. It’s nothing new, but somehow, it just seems more pervasive.
Believers have the power of the Holy Spirit to help us deal with the emotional outburst of anger. The fruit of the Spirit is the antithesis of anger. Think about these attributes and how each one compares to the sin of uncontrolled anger.
“…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
Galatians 5:22 & 23
Moses became a humble servant of the Lord God. But he was a human being, just like you and me. On two different occasions Moses was driven to uncontrollable anger. He failed to act with self-control, a fruit of the Spirit.
But these attributes are not to be considered as a singular virtue. They are cohesive (stuck together). They are interdependent (depend upon each other).
Believers are meant to have the entire fruit of the Spirit. These are the attributes of God.
Moses should have looked at the rebellious people with a heart filled with God’s love. then he could have maintained a composure of peace, kindness, good behavior and so on. You get the picture.
Below are two moments when Moses failed to subdue the sin of anger.
The Broken Tablets
When the people saw how long it was taking Moses to come back down the mountain, they gathered around Aaron. “Come on,” they said, “make us some gods who can lead us. We don’t know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt.”
Exodus 32:1
When they came near the camp, Moses saw the calf and the dancing, and he burned with anger. He threw the stone tablets to the ground, smashing them at the foot of the mountain.
Exodus 32:19
The Water from the Rock
and the Lord said to Moses, “You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.”
Numbers 20:7 & 8
Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So, the entire community and their livestock drank their fill.
Numbers 20:10 & 11
The Bronze Serpent
But there was a moment when Moses had Spirit controlled anger. This time his anger would lead the people to find God’s grace.
As before, Moses’ anger was justifiable. This time the difference was that Moses did not sin against God. He reacted with righteous, godly anger. God demonstrated His love for the Hebrew people by providing a remedy for their sin. That remedy was a symbol of Jesus on the cross. Read the story in Numbers 21:4-9
You see, God’s mercy and grace are found in all the Scriptures; even in the Old Testament.
Share the Good News in your world!
Isaiah 52:7
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Statement of Faith
Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 