DON’T LET ANGER LEAD

Luke 11:53,54 And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:  Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him

Many of the situations people have found themselves in, where they have reacted with violent actions or words, often arise from being intentionally or unintentionally provoked. As we read about Jesus today, the scribes and Pharisees pushed vehemently, exploring all avenues in an attempt to catch something that would offer legal grounds for their accusations against Him. They found none.

That is the thing about what you say, even before acting them out. Words are deemed as viable as the actions that accompany them. It therefore takes a kind of consciousness of mind to encounter provocations and yet choose to ignore the inherent impulse to respond in a like manner. Many have ended up saying or doing things in anger, or in retaliation only to bear repercussions far beyond their responses.

It is true that men will always look for gaps in speech and deeds which can be exploited. That is why we are warned to “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone (Colossians 4:6) Beloved, even in the face of boiling raw anger and fury, take a deep breath and hold your peace. There is a way not to respond to situations, one is when anger leads the way-outcomes will always be costly.

#sly