Angry at Sin

In Ephesians 4:26-28 we read:

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need." (NIV)

This little verse is often used all on its own, but its proper meaning is best taken in context. The entire passage is talking about how we should live worthy of the calling. How we should emulate Christ, who emulates God.

Other versions state it this way:

"Be angry and sin not. Do not let the sun go down on your anger."

The second version is actually a better translation of the text. The meaning is that we should be angry at sin...so angry that we don't do it. "Don't let the sun go down on your anger" means not to let your anger toward sin come to an end.

It's important to differentiate: We are to be angry at sin but not at the sinner. Hate the sin and love the sinner. That is the character of God--holy, righteous, hater of sin--that we are to emulate.

In Luke 11:24 we read the passage about how an evil spirit left a man, then returned to find the "house" swept clean and put in order. So the spirit brought seven more demons worse than himself to live in the man.

Being "swept clean and in order" doesn't necessarily mean the man had turned to God. If he had, his "house" would have been filled with the Holy Spirit. As it was, the demon returned to find the house cleaned up but still empty. This is what happens if you don't fill your life with God, with His Word, and allow the Holy Spirit to take control. If you try to straighten up your own life without Jesus, you're bound to fail again.

Satan is constantly trying to bring you down. He doesn't look for a gaping hole in your life...he looks for the little cracks that you might not notice. He'll find the tiniest point at which to enter your life.

According to Ephesians 4:27, we are to not let the sun go down on our anger (against sin) so that we don't "give the devil a foothold."

Keep the Word of God active in your life. Remember that when Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness, He used the Word of God as His weapon. Without God's Word, you can't stand strong. So keep the Word of God active and don't give the devil a foothold!

But if you are angry at sin and don't let the sun go down on that anger, you won't let the devil take a foothold.

Prayer Requests

• Charlie and Heather ask for prayer for Heather, who is battling to get her two daughters back. Their father Kenny doesn't care about the girls; he just likes to have control over Heather. Keep Kenny in your prayers as well.
• Pray that Norma gets back with the Lord.
• Amee's son's aunt is dying of cancer.
• Theresa's brother Ricky died in the hospital following surgery. The doctors haven't yet figured out why.
• Pray for Karen in Mongolia as she does medical missions work. She has some problems with her legs, making it hard for her to get around.
• Robin's brother David is having open-heart surgery. This is a new procedure that will be televised nationwide. Pray it goes well.
• Pray for Mike and Lisa Rogers, who give their all for Recovery Ministries.
• Jeff's mother Jean has had repeated strokes.
  

Message from Scott Jordan

Scott shared several Scriptures in class and talked about his journey as he's battled with drugs off and on for 20 years. He shared verses that have helped him overcome. He reminded us of the Apostle Peter, who had walked on earth with Jesus yet still denied Him, still sank in the waves. Those who struggle with addictions can trust God to lift them up and deliver them.

Scott said, "I know what it's like to have cravings. I fall all the time. We need to stay in the Word. It'll keep you strong. And we have a room full of brothers and sisters here who will lift you up in prayer.

Blessings to you, Scott, and thanks for sharing!

Prayer Requests

• Continue to remember Doug in prayer as he is in Pakistan. He also asks us to pray for Saad, a Pakistani who said he wants to "find the one true God." He asked Doug for a Bible and said, "There's something different about you and Philip (the only other American there)." Doug told him to read Jesus' words and pray, and then Jesus will show him the one true God.
• Karen is in Mongolia again, as a medical missionary. Keep her in your prayers.
• Joe and Vanessa need salvation.
• Pray for the Rehwinkle family. Hank passed away last Friday. The funeral is Tuesday.
• Faye Beaver lost her husband this week.
• Pray for Lisa's husband's (JJ) family. His mother is on life support and the family is considering pulling the plug. Also pray for JJ. He's a Christian, but he's had bad experiences at church. He needs to give Praise a try.
• Bill Hickman and the Arnold family will be returning from the funeral in Georgia soon.
• Josh's family needs deliverance from drug addiction.
• Vanessa is going to Mexico for spring break. Also, she's been messing with drugs a bit. Pray for her safety.
• Jeff needs healing and deliverance from addictions.
• Shawna needs salvation and deliverance from drugs.
• Sandra needs prayer for sobriety and that she would learn to lean on God.
• Tasha is considering suicide. Pray that she looks to God instead.
• Shelby's oldest daughter needs to find a true relationship with God.