Anger!

Anger!

Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:9 NIV

One of the strongest ways to pass a message about a verse in the bible is to use imagery. Let's take a look at the verse for today: do not be quickly provoked in your spirit. How does that work? Why is the spirit the place of focus? How easy is it for a man's spirit to be provoked? One of the most poignant verses of the Bible about the spirit of man says: The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord that sheds light on one’s inmost being. Proverbs 20:27 NIV. The spirit is the place where God xan meet with man to lay upon his heart the things he wants the man to do. The spirit is the connection between God and man, where the light of God can shine upon a man, reveal who he is to himself from God's perspective and guide him into the right paths. 

Imagine then the man whose spirit is polluted by the things of the flesh, such as anger, pride, hatred, sin and other fruits of the flesh. As we know, God cannot behold sin and that is why the flesh is not his tool for speaking to a man. The flesh is beyond redemption due to the nature and power of sin. If God would speak, he needs to be able to impact a man's spirit. My spirit has to be clean and clear of all that would prevent God from being able to reach me. If God were to make a demand today for my full attention, would he find me yielded, available, teachable and moldable? The devil understands this, and will do all he can to break or tamper with that connection, so that man is not able to fully access all that God wants him to have. 

Today's extract is just one of the many wiles of the devil. He fills the flesh with a desire to be always right, on top and in charge. He fills the flesh with pride, so that when things don't happen the way it wants, it gets angry and wants to react. There may be times when anger may be justified, in circumstances the Word of God permits, but it is only a spirit ruled by God that knows when it is time to let it go. Being easily provoked is one of the wiles of the devil, and it is very difficult to later explain the basis for the anger when relationships have become strained or lives destroyed. It is to be said again: anger is permitted, but you can only control it when your spirit is controlled by God. The devil only knows how to steal, kill and destroy so be sure that if he drives you into uncontrolled anger, it is because he wants to destroy you. 

Imagine anger finding a place for anger in your life. Imagine a life that is constantly harassed by the devil. The word: reside is key here; nothing wrong with being angry at sin and its power in the lives of men, but it must not be allowed to simmer and reside. Today's extract calls people who allow anger to reside in them fools. Who is deemed to be foolish according to the Bible? One of the many classes of people referred to as fools are those who say in their hearts that there is no God. Their lives deny the existence of God, as they live for their own pleasure. They do not think they are accountable to anyone. People who live in this way are quite open to the devil's influence and control. 

Anger would be a natural response to the things that happen to and around them. I must surrender my heart and life to God. That is the only way that I will not end up in shame. That is the only prescription against anger that leads to sin. I must ask God for help to deal with all channels that the devil can use to oppress me. I must keep my connection with God clean and clear so that He can reach me when he wants. My spirit must be in sync with God so that all that God is and desires of and from me becomes my daily pursuit. That is the way to secure eternity with God. May his grace be sufficient. God's time of favour is here.