Galatians 5:14-15: "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another."
A closer look:
"For all the law" - the entire or whole law, every aspect of it: ceremonial, civil, and moral.
"love" - This is what completes and complies with God's Law.
"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" - fundamentally the second division of the 10 Commandments.
"bite and devour" - figuratively speaking of wild animals attacking each other.
"consumed one of another" - this is the end result of contention.
Sinful anger (whether it is explosive or internalized) is the opposite of Biblical love (which is sacrificial, gracious and unselfish). When people entertain contention, and it escalates, they act like wild animals - tearing each other up. They say words that are curt, rude, hurtful. They may even assault someone physically. The progression is "bite," then "devour," and then "consumed." When sinful anger is not dealt with, nobody wins, rather everyone involved is consumed. The offended is hurt, and the offender is hated. Brethren, we are not called to be "animalistic." We are called the sons of God, let us, with God's grace, live out what we truly are in the eyes of God.
"For all the law" - the entire or whole law, every aspect of it: ceremonial, civil, and moral.
"love" - This is what completes and complies with God's Law.
"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" - fundamentally the second division of the 10 Commandments.
"bite and devour" - figuratively speaking of wild animals attacking each other.
"consumed one of another" - this is the end result of contention.
Sinful anger (whether it is explosive or internalized) is the opposite of Biblical love (which is sacrificial, gracious and unselfish). When people entertain contention, and it escalates, they act like wild animals - tearing each other up. They say words that are curt, rude, hurtful. They may even assault someone physically. The progression is "bite," then "devour," and then "consumed." When sinful anger is not dealt with, nobody wins, rather everyone involved is consumed. The offended is hurt, and the offender is hated. Brethren, we are not called to be "animalistic." We are called the sons of God, let us, with God's grace, live out what we truly are in the eyes of God.
2 comments:
Great post! thank you Brother! God's teaching me to get my emotions under control...well, to let the Holy Spirit control them. You definitely have to be submitted to him if you have children!
Thank you for your feedback. I think we all can use a Scripture or two on dealing with sinful anger. Have a great new year!
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