Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, andgive no opportunity to the devil.Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Can't you hear Paul muttering to himself: "While I'm on the subject of falsehood and truth, there are a couple of other things I need to mention? How about anger and sin?"
He's telling me that there is an anger which is not sin, so I need to be aware of the anger that issin. It is my belief that the difference lies in the reason and motivation for my anger. When the cause is an action of disrespect for my Lord and Savior, I am called to appropriate anger and action. But when, as is frequently the case, the cause is my wounded pride, it is sin.
He is also telling me that there is a time limit on anger–no feuds that go on and on, those give opportunity to the devil.
Today's readings in the Psalms:
Morning: Psalm 6
Mid-day: 119:113-120
Evening: Psalm 81
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Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at theFellowship Of Ailbe bookstore. A weekly edition, formatted as a bi-fold insert and suitable for distribution can be downloaded at https://www.ailbe.org/resources/item/5828-2015-voices-together-weekly-devotionals. The next edition is available by Thursday of the prior week.
