Remaining Angry with Another Person
Each week when we meet in our spiritual accountability groups, which we call "On Mission Groups" we ask each other a series of questions. I think I have mentioned this before. The format comes from Neil Cole's "Life Transformation Group" guide. I think he has really found a Biblical way for believers to grow spiritually as disciples of Jesus. I won't go into detail here, because I want to focus on one of the questions we use.
The question says, "Have you continued to remain angry toward another?" This is a vital question, because the Lord cautions us in His Word to put away anger and not to allow ourselves to continue to be angry with another person, because it leads to bitterness. I have found bitterness to be one of the most damaging sins, because it causes us to lose the joy of the Lord, and the joy of the Lord is our strength.
Unfortunately, there are many people, even believers, who think they are justified to remain angry with another person and to treat them badly or ignore them, because of something that happened between them. Nothing could be farther from the heart of Jesus. He told His disciples on several occasions that they were to forgive quickly and often. He knew how destructive anger and bitterness is to relationships and how relationships affect our lives.
I would encourage all of us to be in an accountability group with another believer and to use questions like these. It sharpens our spiritual focus, and it does not allow us to condone those sins which can harm our relationship with Jesus and others.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Jeremiah 37-39 and Hebrews 3.
The question says, "Have you continued to remain angry toward another?" This is a vital question, because the Lord cautions us in His Word to put away anger and not to allow ourselves to continue to be angry with another person, because it leads to bitterness. I have found bitterness to be one of the most damaging sins, because it causes us to lose the joy of the Lord, and the joy of the Lord is our strength.
Unfortunately, there are many people, even believers, who think they are justified to remain angry with another person and to treat them badly or ignore them, because of something that happened between them. Nothing could be farther from the heart of Jesus. He told His disciples on several occasions that they were to forgive quickly and often. He knew how destructive anger and bitterness is to relationships and how relationships affect our lives.
I would encourage all of us to be in an accountability group with another believer and to use questions like these. It sharpens our spiritual focus, and it does not allow us to condone those sins which can harm our relationship with Jesus and others.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Jeremiah 37-39 and Hebrews 3.