Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another. BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.
(Ephesians 4:25-27, NASB)
Speak truth. With everyone. This isn’t always an easy command to obey. Especially in our world where many say there is no real truth.
But if we serve the God of the Bible, we serve Truth, so we really have no choice. If we want to honor Him, if we want to serve each other, we must speak truth.
Be angry, and yet do not sin. Elsewhere, we’re told that wrath is a work of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21), so how do we reconcile Paul’s words? I think the first is habitual. It’s living in daily, unrelenting anger. Whereas in today’s verses, there’s an understanding that we may get angry, but we need to seek resolution before the sun goes down.
If we allow anger to take residence in our hearts, we really do give the “devil an opportunity.” I know this from experience. I held on to anger and bitterness after years of abuse. And that anger took me on a very long journey away from faith.
Do you struggle with anger? Has it taken residence in your heart? Ask the Lord to help you deal with it. Ask Him for love and peace to overcome the anger and hate.
Don’t give the devil an opportunity.
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