Smoldering Anger
Jan 16, 2015 04:07 PM
Last Sunday morning, I seemed to have hit a nerve. I have had many people reference one of my points all week. We were looking at Titus 1:7, “For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain.”
I spoke briefly about being arrogant. Then I told a story to illustrate the Greek word orgeélos, translated here as quick-tempered. Back during Thanksgiving, Jake was helping me clear some downed trees at Heather’s parents' in North Carolina. They had a soaking rain, so we piled up the fire one night before we went inside.
The next morning, I wanted to build the fire back up and let it burn down while we helped Heather’s dad more a hay feeder in the field. Jake and I jumped on the four-wheeler and went to the woods to put more wood on the fire. When the fire pit was in sight, Jake saw the fire from the previous day was dead and asked if I brought matches. We arrived at the fire pit and collected kindling to place on the ashes of the ‘dead’ fire.
I then got Jake down beside me, got on my hands and knees and softly blew across the coals. The ash from the previous day quickly blew off and within ten-seconds, we went from smoke to flames.
This is what Paul is talking about when he uses this Greek word. This anger is an anger that smolders underneath. Then, when the right kindling and a little wind blows, flames erupt.
The quote used at the top of this box is one that I used a month ago. Tullian Tchividjian writes in his book Jesus + Nothing= Everything, “One of the marks of a truly maturing Christian– is that we begin to love the things that God loves, and to want the things that God wants.” Another way of saying this is to ask this question, “Are the fruits of the Spirit growing in your life?” Is your life marked more today by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control than it was six months ago?
We all get angry. The question is, what is smoldering in your heart? What is burning deep down in your heart? Is it anger, jealousy, impurity, or gossip? Or are you burning with the desire to show love and kindness?
Those fruits are what God wants burning in your heart! I pray that your heart burns with desire to show the love of our Savior to your world.
Grace and peace,
Pastor John
I spoke briefly about being arrogant. Then I told a story to illustrate the Greek word orgeélos, translated here as quick-tempered. Back during Thanksgiving, Jake was helping me clear some downed trees at Heather’s parents' in North Carolina. They had a soaking rain, so we piled up the fire one night before we went inside.
The next morning, I wanted to build the fire back up and let it burn down while we helped Heather’s dad more a hay feeder in the field. Jake and I jumped on the four-wheeler and went to the woods to put more wood on the fire. When the fire pit was in sight, Jake saw the fire from the previous day was dead and asked if I brought matches. We arrived at the fire pit and collected kindling to place on the ashes of the ‘dead’ fire.
I then got Jake down beside me, got on my hands and knees and softly blew across the coals. The ash from the previous day quickly blew off and within ten-seconds, we went from smoke to flames.
This is what Paul is talking about when he uses this Greek word. This anger is an anger that smolders underneath. Then, when the right kindling and a little wind blows, flames erupt.
The quote used at the top of this box is one that I used a month ago. Tullian Tchividjian writes in his book Jesus + Nothing= Everything, “One of the marks of a truly maturing Christian– is that we begin to love the things that God loves, and to want the things that God wants.” Another way of saying this is to ask this question, “Are the fruits of the Spirit growing in your life?” Is your life marked more today by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control than it was six months ago?
We all get angry. The question is, what is smoldering in your heart? What is burning deep down in your heart? Is it anger, jealousy, impurity, or gossip? Or are you burning with the desire to show love and kindness?
Those fruits are what God wants burning in your heart! I pray that your heart burns with desire to show the love of our Savior to your world.
Grace and peace,
Pastor John