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Chapter XI
WHAT
MANNER OF PEOPLE, THEN, OUGHT WE TO BE?
In
John 10:26-30 (NASB) Jesus said: "But you do not believe, because you are not My sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."
In
Matthew 24:35 (NASB) Jesus said: "Heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away." And, in Matthew 5:22 (ASV) Jesus said: "But I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother will be in danger of the judgement."
Danger
: Anger!
In our world the awful fruits of bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander and malice are seen everywhere. And, the Bible contains the following very clear instructions in Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV): "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave You." 1
Question
: So, how important is it that we get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, and be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other?
Answer
: In Matthew 6:14-15 (NASB) Jesus said: "For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions."
Dr. Caroline Leaf, author of Who Switched Off My Brain, 2 on pages 122 - 125 said:
"
Forgiveness is a choice, an act of your free will. It enables you to release all those toxic thoughts of anger, resentment, bitterness, shame, grief, regret, guilt and hate. These emotions hold your mind in a nasty, vice-like grip. Most importantly, as long as these unhealthy toxic thoughts dominate your mind, you will not be able to grow new healthy thoughts and memories.
Dr
. Don Colbert (author of Deadly Emotions) says forgiveness is like taking an emotional shower: it cleanses and frees the entrapped soul.
Forgiveness, in his and others' views is:
*
Not making excuses for someone's behavior, but it is forgiving despite behavior.
* Not ignoring pain or hurt, but it is choosing to let go of the person who hurt you. * Not letting someone off the hook, but it is leaving that person in God's hands.
* Not a weakness, but it is a sign of great courage.
It
is often said that forgiveness leads to the ability to love. You cannot love if you have not really forgiven and released those who have wronged you. Scientific research proves that love is good for your health. Ongoing results of the "Forgiveness Study" by researchers at the University of Wisconsin found that those who develop an ability to forgive, have greater control over their emotions and are significantly less angry, upset and hurt, and consequently much healthier.
Tune
into the true power of love. Studies show clear changes in the patterns of activity of the autonomic nervous system, hormonal system, brain and heart when you experience emotions such as appreciation, love, care and compassion. Such physiological changes may help explain the observed connection between positive emotions, improved health and increased longevity.
Interestingly, it's not just poets who consider the heart as the source of love. Research shows that the heart considers and "thinks" about information it receives from the brain. This implies that the heart has opinions of its own. It acts as a still, small voice that checks our thoughts for accuracy, integrity and wisdom. This "mini-brain" in the heart literally functions like a conscience. . . . .
. . .
Your heart is not just a pump. It is your body's strongest biological oscillator, which means it has the ability to pull every other system of the body into its own rhythm. When the heart is at peace and is filled with love, the entire body under the direction of the brain feels peace and love as well. The converse is also true. When your thought life is filled with toxic emotions, your heart is heavy and burdens your body and mind. In effect your heart amplifies what is going on in your brain."
Proverbs
23:7 (KJV) says: "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he."
It is written in Galatians 5:19 (NASB):: "Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, 3 disputes, dissensions, factions, envyings, drunkenness, carousings, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." "Christians would do well to take heed to what the Bible designates as Sins." 4
"The Action of Anger" of man is wicked! According to Alford's Greek Testament; James 1:20 says: "The anger of man doeth not that which is right in the sight of God" 5 As one becomes free of the evil natures of bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander, along with all malice, the void that results from their departure must be filled with kindness, tender-heartedness, and forgiveness.
In
Matthew 12:43-45 (NASB) Jesus said: "Now when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places, seeking rest, and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came; and when it comes, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order. Then it goes, and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will be with this evil generation."
When
we have abandoned the life-altering and mind-controlling evil natures of bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander, along with all malice, STEP ONE;
Now comes STEP TWO. We are then commanded to fill the void as follows:
1 . Be kind to one another.
2 . Be tender-hearted.
3 . Freely and graciously forgive each other, even as Christ did forgive you. Some, mistakenly, try to bypass Step One and attempt Step Two.
STEP
TWO follows STEP ONE; not the other way around.
So
, Ephesians 4:32 (NASB) says: "And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."
In
Mark 11:25 (NASB) Jesus said: "And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your transgressions."
And
, in Luke 11:4 (NASB) Jesus said when you pray say: "And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us."
And
, "Matthew 18:21-22 (NASB) says: "Then Peter came and said to Him, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times? Jesus said to him: I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."
Concerning
the ongoing forgiveness research at the University of Wisconsin "the research may be as important to the treatment of emotional and mental disorders as the discovery of sulfa drugs and penicillin were to the treatment of infectious diseases." Why? "The forgiver discovers the paradox of forgiveness: as we give to others the gifts of mercy, generosity and moral love, we ourselves are healed."
To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover the prisoner was YOU.
"The multiple physical and mental health benefits experienced by those who obey the teachings of Jesus, as respects forgiving others, are simply staggering. This is clearly shown in ongoing, scientifically controlled medical research studies in several universities." 6
Colossians
3:12-14 (NASB) says: "And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you."
Proverbs
22:6 (NASB) says: "Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it."
For this reason, Ephesians 6:4 (NASB) says: "And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; 7 but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Serious issue? Absolutely!
Barnes New Testament Notes by Albert Barnes (1798-1870), 8 quoting the King James Version (KJV) of Ephesians 6:4, says: "And ye fathers [And, Fathers (NASB)]. A command addressed particularly to fathers because they are at the head of the family, and its government is especially committed to them. The object of the apostle here is, to show parents that their commands should be such that they can be easily obeyed, or such as are entirely reasonable and proper. If children are required to obey, it is but reasonable that the commands of the parent should be such that they can be obeyed, or such that the child shall not be discouraged in his attempt to obey. This statement is in accordance with what he had said Eph 5:22-25 of the relation of husband and wife. It was the duty of the wife to obey —but it was the corresponding duty of the husband to manifest such a character that it would be pleasant to yield obedience—so to love her, that his known wish would be law to her. In like manner it is the duty of children to obey a parent; but it is the duty of a parent to exhibit such a character, and to maintain such a government, that it would be proper for the child to obey; to command nothing that is unreasonable or improper, but to train up his children in the ways of virtue and pure religion."
"Provoke not your children to wrath [provoke not your children to anger (NASB)]. That is, by unreasonable commands; by needless severity; by the manifestation of anger. So govern them, and so punish them—if punishment is necessary—that they shall not lose their confidence in you, but shall love you. The apostle here has hit on the very danger to which parents are most exposed in the government of their children. It is that of souring their temper, of making them feel that the parent is under the influence of anger, and that it is right for them to be so too. This is done (1.) when the commands of a parent are unreasonable and severe. The spirit of a child then becomes irritated, and he is "discouraged," Col 3:21. (2.) When a parent is evidently excited when he punishes a child. The child then feels (a.) that if his father is angry, it is not wrong for him to be angry; and (b.) the very fact of anger in a parent kindles anger in his bosom—just as it does when two men are contending. If he submits in the case, it is only because the parent is the strongest, not because he is right; and the child cherishes anger, while he yields to power. There is no principle of parental government more important than that a father should command his own temper when he inflicts punishment. He should punish a child not because he is angry, but because it is right; not because it has become a matter of personal contest, but because God requires that he should do it, and the welfare of the child demands it. The moment when a child sees that a parent punishes him under the influence of anger, that moment the child will be likely to be angry too—and his anger will be as proper as that of the parent. And yet how often is punishment inflicted in this manner! And how often does the child feel that the parent punished him simply because he was the strongest, not because it was right! And how often is the mind of a child left with a strong conviction that wrong has been done him by the punishment which he has received, rather than with repentance for the wrong that he has himself done!"
"
But bring them up [KJV & NASB]. Place them under such discipline and instruction that they shall become acquainted with the Lord."
"In the nurture [in the discipline (NASB), Greek: en paideia] en paideia. The word here used means, training of a child; hence education, instruction, discipline. Here it means that they are to train up their children in such a manner as the Lord approves; that is, they are to educate them for virtue and religion."
"And admonition [and instruction (NASB), Greek: kai nouqesia ]. The word here used —nouthesia—means, literally, a putting in mind; then warning, admonition, instruction. The sense here is, that they were to put them in mind of the Lord [KJV & NASB]—of his existence, perfections, law, and claims on their hearts and lives. This command is positive, and is in accordance with all the requirements of the Bible on the subject. No one can doubt that the Bible enjoins on parents the duty of endeavoring to train up their children in the ways of religion, and of making it the grand purpose of this life to prepare them for heaven."
"
It has been often objected that children should be left on religious subjects to form their own opinions when they are able to judge for themselves. .In reply to this, and in defense of the requirements of the Bible on the subject, we may remark, (1.) that to suffer a child to grow up without any instruction in religion, is about the same as to suffer a garden to lie without any culture. Such a garden would soon be overrun with weeds, and briers and thorns. . . . (6.) Religion is the most important of all subjects, and therefore it is of most importance that children on that subject should be taught TRUTH."
Proverbs
29:22 (NASB): "An angry man stirs up strife, and a hot tempered man abounds in transgression."
Concerning
Christian teaching regarding anger, as well as other sins of the emotions; 'Deceivers' would have us believe the following devil's lie: "Christian teaching regarding anger, as well as other sins of the emotions, originated not with God but with a radical Stoic philosophy that conditioned the early Christian's approach to dealing with emotions." Don't you believe that devil's lie.
Where
did Christian teaching originate? Jesus tells us the source of his teaching in John 12:48-50 (NASB): "He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me commandment as to what to say and what to speak. I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me."
The
Apostle Paul tells us the source of his teaching in Galatians 1:11-12 (NASB): "For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ."
And
, The Apostle Paul tells us the source of his teaching in Titus 1:1-3 (NASB): "Paul, a bondservant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior."
Ephesians
6:12 (NASB) says: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." Satan is the oldest liar in the records of eternity, and the source of all that is evil. Satan presents himself as an angel of light as opposed to the spiritual force of wickedness, the messenger of darkness, that he really is. We must not be taken in by his craftiness.
In Titus 1:7-11, the Apostle Paul addresses the "must be" qualifications of Elders; and he mentions the false teachers that "must be" stopped. "For the overseer must be [see footnote] 9 above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, [see footnote] 10 not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who "must be" silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach, for the sake of sordid gain."
Colossians
3:9-10 (NASB) says: "Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him." Proverbs 30:33 (NASB) says: "the churning of anger produces strife."
Of
course, we are biologically capable of becoming angry; but that does not mean that we have to become angry. We can choose to obey the command to put away all anger because we can choose to change our embedded thought patterns that cause us to become angry, We can identify and defuse our very own anger triggers now, and we can stop becoming angry, forever. Let's do it.
WHAT
MANNER OF PEOPLE, THEN, OUGHT WE TO BE?
Chapter
XI
Questions for Discussion
1. Do you agree or disagree that Christians are commanded in Ephesians 4:31 (NASB) to abandon (put away from you) the life-altering and mind-controlling evil natures of "all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander, along with all malice?" Why or why not?
2. When we have abandoned (put away from ourselves) the evil natures of all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander, along with all malice, why do you think that Christians are then commanded in Ephesians 4:31 (NASB) to fill the void as follows: "And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you?" And, why do you think that Christians are then commanded in Colossians 3:12-14 (NASB) to fill the void as follows: "And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you?" Discuss the possible effects if one were to fail to fill the void as instructed; and, discuss what happens when the "unclean spirit goes out of a man."
3. Do you agree that Satan's influence is seen everywhere this subject is written about, discussed or treated, and that many are under the influence of his erroneous views and principles regarding bitterness, wrath and being angry without ever perceiving, designing or intending it? If not why not?
4. Do you agree that in our world bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander and malice exists everywhere. If not why not? Do you agree that if we become angry that it is very important that we choose to dissolve or defuse the embedded anger trigger, that which "set-us-off," before sunset? If not why not?
5. How important is it to get rid of all anger and forgive everyone? What did Jesus say would happen if we do not forgive everyone? How has the teaching of Jesus regarding forgiveness influenced your life?
6. Do you think that the ongoing forgiveness research at the University of Wisconsin as it concerns the treatment of emotional and mental disorders is validating the teachings of Jesus regarding forgiveness?
7. Do you think Paul used the correct words to convey the ideas he intended to convey when he mentioned certain deeds of the flesh in Galatians 5:19 including outbursts of anger, and said: "that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God?" Is this a serious issue?
8. What do you think of the extensive comments of Barnes New Testament Notes by Albert Barnes, regarding Ephesians 6:4 (NASB): "And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord?" Do you agree that it is very important for parents to obey the command: "do not provoke your children to anger?" If not why not? Do you agree with Albert Barnes' comment: do not provoke your children to anger, that is, by unreasonable commands; by needless severity; by the manifestation of anger? Why or why not?
9. We are biologically capable of becoming angry; but that does not mean that we have to become angry. We can choose to obey the command to "get rid of all anger." Agree? Disagree?
WHAT MANNER OF PEOPLE, THEN, OUGHT WE TO BE?
CHAPTER XI FOOTNOTES:
1 The Interlinear NASB-NIV Parallel New Testament in Greek and English by Alfred Marshall (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1993), page 565.
2 Who Switched Off My Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf (PO Box 4227, Rivonia 2128, South Africa: Switch On Your Brain, 2007).
3 Galatians 5:19. "Outbursts of anger" translates the Greek word qumoi/, nominative, plural of qumoV, transliterated: thumos, which is anger boiling up and bursting forth.
4 Commentary On Thessalonians, Corinthians, Galatians and Romans by J. W. McGarvey, LL.D., and Philip Y. Pendleton, A. M. (Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing Company, Public Domain), page 283.
5 Alford's Greek Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Guardian Press, 1976), Volume IV, page 285.
6 "The Teachings of Jesus on Forgiveness" -- www.focusonthescriptures.com.
7 Ephesians 6:4. "Do not" (Greek negative particle: mh, transliterated me>). "Provoke to anger" translates the Greek verb: parorgizete, 2nd person plural, present tense, imperative mood (a command) of parorgizw, (par + orgizw ) transliterated parorgidzo> and is literally translated as: make angry.
8 Barnes New Testament Notes by Albert Barnes (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1949. Public Domain).
9 Must be. The Peoples New Testament says: "Must be. Unless he has these traits he must not be appointed."10 Not quick-tempered. It is important to note that the one Greek word that is here translated quick-tempered is orgilon, transliterated orgilon, accusative, singular, masculine of orgiloV - -transliterated orgilos,, which in fact is the adjective form of orgh -- transliterated orge>, the noun that is translated as anger. So, orgilos, an adjective [no English equivalent] characterizes the noun: overseer. The Analytical Greek Lexicon, and Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon both define it as: "prone to anger," and A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament by Bauer, Arndt and Gingrich defines it as: "inclined to anger." In other words a person who has not put aside all anger.
Hear the Word of God!
È & Ç
The Truth Shall Make You Free!
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