4 For in the same way that one body has so many different parts, each with different functions; 5 we, too—the many—are different parts that form one body in the Anointed One. Each one of us is joined with one another, and we become together what we could not be alone.
Memory of the Month: Proverbs 15:1-A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Today's reading: PSALM 119:89-176 1 CORINTHIANS 8
Turn it Up
Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:26, "In your anger do not sin".
Proverbs 15:1 says, "A gentle answer turns away wrath(rage), but a harsh word stirs up anger".
God knows we will have times of anger. The Bible does not say, "Don't get angry"-it says don't do something you'll regret and disappoint God when you do get mad.
The simple and true answer to this is that we should always live by the Spirit.
Romans 8:5
5 If you live your life animated by the flesh—namely, your fallen, corrupt nature—then your mind is focused on the matters of the flesh. But if you live your life animated by the Spirit—namely, God’s indwelling presence—then your focus is on the work of the Spirit.(The Voice)
If we are controlled by the Spirit, a lot of things won't happen....but we find ourselves regretting things we have said and things we have done because we abandon our consciousness of God and take matters, again and again, in our own hands. This is not being controlled by God's Spirit.
When we take things in our own hands, all divine control is put on hold. That is why the last of the nine fruit of the Spirit is self control. Devine self control is from God-not from self. Yes, we must make the decision to walk in the Spirit and to follow but this takes much practice and devotion to Him. The effort and will is ours but the power to conquer self is God's alone. This is why Jesus told us to take up our cross daily(Luke 9:23)--It is a daily battle for your attention-for your 'self'.
All of us have heard that 'cooler heads prevail'. Although that seems foreign to our present world, it is still true. But where does that come from? It comes from Proverbs 15:1:
"A gentle word turns away rage"
Out 'on the grade', in the working world, laborers used to say, "There won't be no trouble 'less you start some".
How do we 'control' our anger or quiet a boiling situation? We have all heard someone say, "Let's tone it down", meaning for all to stop and calm down-take a step back and get a breath. This may work temporarily but the attitude of those most excited will go home with them-in other words-their attitudes usually don't change. Why?
The enemy drives the flesh controlled human to amass control. We talk about 'control' freaks but even the quiet flesh controlled person uses their control to escape and controls what they think will disrupt their world. All of us, in the flesh, want what we want...
I suggest we 'turn up the gentle'. Turn it up by turning our attention up and inward to the Spirit of God. Turn away from the world and come out and be different. Practice, study, learn how to take up your cross everyday all day long.
Turn it up-turn up your sensitivity to the presence of the Holy Spirit who lives right there in your heart. He is always right there. He never stops seeing your deepest thoughts and needs.
When we turn up our awareness, God turns everything up-our love, our joy, our peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. He turns up our awareness of His wisdom and the fact that He is the mind of Christ. His peace is our Governer.
Isaiah 60:17
...Your government will be founded and grounded; I will make peace your governor, and righteousness your ruler.
What God wants us to finally learn is that the longer we live in Him, the less we will 'lose our tempers'. When peace governs us and righteousness rules us, God changes anger into peaceful disappointment which can walk through God's open door to His resolution in wisdom.
Again, this is not a goal. The goal is immersing ourselves in seeking His kingdom and His righteousness. While we maintain this discipline, God's Spirit teaches patiently as we learn little by little.
Turn it up. Turn up your discipline. Immerse yourself in Him.
...because He loves us...
Father in Heaven,
Increase my weak faith-forgive me my weak focus-I humble myself under You mighty hand. Lead me in the way everlasting.
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