Genesis 4:6-7
“Then the LORD said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door, it desires to have you, but you must master it.’ “
Contrary to popular principle and practice, anger is not a right, and not an acceptable way to deal with the stresses of life. I have heard the comment that it is good to explode in anger and not let it eat at you from the inside. Just remember, it was shortly after this Godly counsel given in today’s Scripture that Cain in anger slew his brother Abel, and thus was guilty of the first murder in the history of mankind.
God speaks His wisdom concerning anger and resentment in His counsel to Cain. “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?” The implied answer is “yes.” That is exactly what it takes — doing what is right in God’s eyes.
I can almost hear screams of protest about all of the pressures and circumstances of your life, which cause you to explode in anger. That is mere justification! God is not interested in your justification of the circumstances that cause explosive outbursts. He simply instructs us to do right.
As I think about the things in my own life that generate anger, I see it is most often times when people mistreat me or the ones I care about. I think that all of us are fragile creatures. We ministers are no exception.
People say cruel things that are not true or perhaps taken out of context. We are hurt and must deal with the anger and resentment. A pastor’s anger is no more justified than anyone else’s anger. What was it that God said to Cain? “Do what is right!” It applies to each and every one of us.
James gives a very clear word of instruction concerning this topic in James 1:19-22 “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the Word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
That hits home! We are to get the Word of God into our life and the filth of the world out of our life. When James uses the phrase “which can save you,” he is not talking of personal salvation, but rather the saving of us from our anger.
James is speaking to the “brothers” who know the Lord, yet allow the garbage of the world to cause a worldly reaction. This should not be! He challenges us to rely more on the Word of God and less moral filth and worldly evil. That equals a life that is under the control of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, and be a blessing.
– – Pastor Cecil