In his epistle, the Apostle James exhorted us to be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath because the wrath of man (ungodly, carnal and sinful anger) does not work the righteousness of God – be ye afraid of the sword (divine condemnation) for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, that ye may know there is a judgement. James1:19-20. Job 19: 29. God testified of Moses as the meekest man on earth; even then, his timidity and docility was worn out by the Israelis as they (1) wearied, influenced and provoked him to speak un-advisedly with his mouth (2) and he impulsively smote the rock which represented Christ against God’s direct instruction to speak to it.
Moses was wrong to insult the people afterward for the sin of which he had prevailed in intercession before God to forgive the Israelis – a servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, in meekness, apt to tech, patience, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledgement of the truth….1 Timothy 2:24-25. A fool shows his annoyance at once as he flays up in savage criticism or reaction on little or insignificant matter which ought to be overlooked or laughed over without thinking twice to the worths, values or effects of his words and impulsive and destructive action.
Anger is always lying at his bosom (in his lips, word, look, action and ways) and if you wake up the sleeping dog lying in him, it will bark and bite….be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools. Proverbs 12:16: Prov. 14:17. Ecclesiastes 7: 9. Carnal anger is lame and destructive – a furious (hot tempered) man abounds (increases and multiplies) in transgression. Proverbs 29:22.
Moses was right to be mad against the congregation for the golden calf they worshiped that became sin unto them. In- between three months of his departure to the mountain for their sakes, they had so soon forgotten all the great and wondrous things wrought by God through him and were ready to abandon him and the God he represented: but he was wrong to allow his emotional reaction to their sin to become a sin unto himself in his over-reaction, agitation and in-temperance. Think about it, what has the breaking of the tables of the law he had waited and fasted for forty days without bread and water on the mount before the Lord has to do with the idolatrous sin of the people as he un-controllably and furiously broke the tables written by the finger of God and grinded the golden calf after which Aaron and the people were made to sin into powder, mixed it with water and forced the people to drink it?
As many as are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God! Has God commanded his servant to break the tables of the law and to grind the golden calf into powder and to forcefuly made them drank it as punishment? Not at all, but the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife. Proverbs 30:33. What a picture of great struggles and quarelling in the camp with the people and Moses their leader……A wrathful man stirs up strife. Proverbs12: 16. (15):18.
(1) Moses action to make the people drank dirts was un-called for before God. (2) By breaking the two tables of the law written by the finger of God into pieces, he was obliged to go back to the mountain the second time for another forty days and forty night of dry fast to have the two tables re-written; this time around, not by the fingers of God, but by Moses own handwriting as God dictated to him – it was also a great error on his part…..a man of great wrath shall suffer.punishment, for if you deliver him, you must deliver him again. Prov. 19: 19. (3) By smiting the rock (this shall be elaborated more upon as we read forward) which was the figure or the representation of the presence of Christ that followed them, he was penalized from entering the Promised Land and made to suffer for the error of his actions (moral weakness and failure). Numbers 20: 7-12.
How often some ministers of the gospel failed in this text before God, and in the presence of the elect angels, and before the on-looking world of believers and unbelievers alike when they shamelessly insults and fights one another over irrelevant and material things?
Once at Turin in Italy, I witnessed a situation where two African pastors whose churches auditorium was too close to each other would stand outside the entrance to look down on one another and to exchange bitter words for the members going in to worship – let nothing be done through strife or vain glory, but in lowliness of mind, let each esstem other better than himself! I asked myself, why can’t they allowed the worshippers to decides for themselves and be freely led to the place of choice to worship? Why can’t they ignored who is entering where? Why can’t they stop standing outside the church building to influence where people chose to eneter for worship? Except God build the house, the labourers’ works in vain: neither he that plant or he who water is important, but God that gives the increase! Such sensual and devilish unbecoming behaviours show you that their present desire and motive in the vocation is wrong, though it may be right at the beginning – if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not and lie not against the truth. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil works!
Have you ever imagined a shameless elder or pastor who should not be a brawler or soon angry, (1 Timothy.3:3. Titus.1:7) but is found exchanging words with church member or worker: or, an usher arguing with a stubborn worshipper and with the people they are meant to co-ordinates for proper conduct during the church service -surely, the wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God! A wise man will pacify his anger and overlook many offenses in his long-suffering and forbearance (the fruit of the spirit) for the Lord’s sake…..the beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. Proverbs 17:14. Such a wise man will turn deaf ears to provocative words and utterances directed against him and be as a dumb man and in whose mouth is no reproof, waiting for God to speak on his stead.…discretion of a man deferred (delay, suspend or put off) his anger, and it is his glory (reputation, testimony, praise, advantage and honour) to pass over (ignore) a transgression. Psalms 38:13. Proverbs19:11.
Quick and hot tempering spirit destroys lives, job, homes and relationships in the twinkling of an eye. It is capable to ruin the success and fruits of many years of labour in homes and marriages and in individual lives as well, just as it did in the life of Moses, the great man of God.
Wrath is outrageous, it kills the foolish man – he that soon angry deals foolishly…..Moses was made to suffer greater consequence of his anger in his mis-representation of God at the water of Meribah (strife). He angrily argued and insult the people (strife of tongue and words) and afterward smote the rock twice; and as consequence, he was denied access into the Promised Land……they angered (provoked) him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill also for Moses for their sakes: because they provoked his spirit, so that he spoke unadvisedly with his lips…..and the Lord spoke unto Moses and Aaron, because you believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them. Psalms 106:32-33. Job.5:2. Job.19:29. Proverbs 14:17. Note: familiarity with God should never breed contempt! Numbers 12:7-8. We should rather see our intimacy with God as an advantage to build upon our progressive walk in spiritual growth and maturity, and as a privileges of blessings to others from the position of our relationship and fellowship designate for greater responsibility, accountability and proper conducts to serve appropriately as evidence of a fruitful growth and success in our spiritual life, consecration and increasing transformation. It should be the testimony of a godly reverential example through us in every conversation, and not in any way become flattered to neglect our duty (hallow be thy name) in self indulgence, and laxity in conduct, by taking things for granted against what is required and demanded of us. The better we know, the best we should becoming to live before the Lord in temperance and good conversations before others. This was Moses error, which was indirectly influenced by Satan, as the people moved him to anger, and they got the better part of him, and he failed to sanctify God before the Israelis at the water of strife (Meribah) and the Lord punished and deprived him of his right to enter the land of Canaan. The Lord forgave him the sin of anger, but the restriction to enter the Promised Land was to punish him in measure and not to leave him completely unpunished. Jeremiah 30:11. For what reason or purpose should Satan once again contended against the body of Moses with Michael the arc angel, after that the Lord has delivered his body to the destruction of the flesh that his soul might be saved? Note: let it be known to us that in this spiritual warfare and pilgrim journey, there are some that will die prematurely to make heaven (the righteous man perishes, and no man takes it to heart; and devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from evil, he shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. Isaiah 57: 1-2). The glory and revelation of God’s abiding presence in our communion and intimacy in the grace we received is to be communicated in reverential spirit through labour of love, showing and leading by examples (you are witnesses and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe) the manner to serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear – having the most positive qualities. Psalms 106:32. 1 Thessalonians 2:10.
This type of anger and wrath is demonic and it can be external or internal infleunce listed among the damned works of the flesh. The believer is commanded to crucify the old man with his deeds, lest he be denied access into the kingdom of heaven as Moses was denied access into the land of Canaan. Galatians 5: 19-21. Let us not be ignorant that the enemy shall use whatever carnality he found in us or any un-broken part of us left behind to break us, but know this that the breaking of the enemy is only meant to destroy us. We should earnestly cry before God in prayer to break and mould us and to remove any evil-carnal rigidity in us for Christ simplicity. Once broken by God, we become unbreakable and in-penetrable by whatsoever evil weapons, contradiction of sinners, challenging situations and circumstances the enemy might bring to sift us as wheat: and though the enemy, and not God, try to slay us, we shall be indesructible and unmovable, always abounding in the works of the Lord, to give give thanks in everything and rejoice evermore before our God.
Spiritually broken believers are always Spirit-filled, serving the Lord with gladness, and rejoicing always in their King to flow in the oil of gladness poured upon their heads, manifesting and increasing in the fruit of the Spirit – joy. Whereever the spirit of carnal anger is present and operating; the spirit of violence and vengeance is already lurking in the corner- ready to strike.
Because of Nabal’s ingratitude and insults he uttered on David and his men, David was at the point of destroying him and every living being in his house in a rash anger, were it not for the timely intervention and wisdom of Nabal’s wife -Abigail. 1 Samuel 25. He admitted his folly of hasty anger before her, thanked and blessed the Lord for having used her to stop him from foolishly shedding blood for an offence that could be spoken and settled without shedding any blood – he that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalted folly. Proverbs 14: 17 and verse 29.
Genesis chapter 34 gives us the narrative account of Jacob’s only daughter (Dinah) raped by Shechem (a prince) because she mingled with the daughters of the land. The Father of Shechem (the king of Havite) went to Jacob’s household and presented their excused for pardon and peace for the defilement of Dinah and woo her for his son in marriage. Agreement was put in place and deal was reached as Dinah became a royal princess in the land of the Havite. With a chip on each of their shoulder (being angry about something spoken in the past or that happened in the past- bearing a grudge and keeping malice) Simeon and Levi (Dinah’s brothers) went in a furious revenge and slew the king, the prince and all the males of the land with the edge of the sword and took their sister away from that family. In his final prophetic blessing and farewell remarks to his children before his death, Jacob cursed both Simeon and Levi for their unwarranted actions that broke the oath and covenant between him and the Hivites in the matter of Dinah…..Simeon and Levi are brethren; the instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. O my soul, come not into their secret, unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their self-will they digged down a wall. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel; I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel (Gen. 49: 5-7).
In exodus chapter 32 verses 26-29, they turned the curse into blessings as they converted their destructive anger into zeal and exerted the same passion which brought them the curse for the performance of an acceptable service in their zeal against the worshippers of golden calf in the wilderness and were set apart as priests before God. How blessed and glorious shall our lustful and destructive passions of the past can be of usefulness to advance the kingdom and cause of Christ when we convert them into godly and holy weapons and instruments to advance the cause and the kingdom of God!
In the scriptires, there are such words as ‘vex’ (provoked them to war and seek fight with them) the Midianites…..for they ‘vex’ (entice, arouse, stimulate and stir) you with their ‘wiles’ (sexual provocation and mental harassements through seductive wears and appearances). Numbers25:16-18. Through the counsel of prophet Balaam, the daughters of Moab dressed seductively in the attire of harlots to entice the Israelis to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idol. Such is the manner of dressing and physical presentation in the attire (habiliment) of a harlot (Proverb 7:10) known as fashion and mode intent by enemy to increase the lusts of the eyes and the lusts of the flesh- promoting, arousing and increasing lustful sexual desire and immorality in the churches and in our world today. Let us be awared and assured that in any way, either to satisfy our own lusts or to entice others, God shall judge to condemn the lifestyles which has stood and served as a stumbling block or occasion to sin for others. Zephaniah 1:1-3.
Satan ‘provoked’ David to number Israel -such is the spirit of self –willed against the light of the scriptures or before a good spiritual counselor (pride of heart) manifested under the influence of an evil spirit. It is an evil provocation and direct assault from the enemy, a thoughtless anger of a thoughtless and grave consequence which conduct to an unpleasant and an ungodly action in direct confrontation against the will of God. 1 Chronicles 21:1.
‘Samson soul was vexed unto death’ –uncalculated anger. This type of anger influences many to do and say anything stupid to jeopardize their lives. Judges16:16.
‘And Amnon was so vexed’ – impassioned anger. 2 Samuel: 13:2.
This emotional trauma and burning desire to do evil for any consolation or present satisfaction and the churlish behaviour of the wicked around us are the co-ordinated efforts, assaults, pressures and influences of the enemy to sin against God. The outcome of such action if yielded to the temptation is always fatal and the end grave…..Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off; but those that wait upon the Lord, shall inherit the earth Psalms. 37: 8-9. Conflicting matters among the brethren sometimes arises, but grounded biblical dialogue and peace should be sought and pursue as we fellowship with one another: but to abandon the assembly of the brethren in an offensive anger to avoid or prevent future conflicts as a resolution is not the solution and option. Such decision is unscriptural, demonically inspired, sinful and self-destructive.
We must seek for means and ways to reason out and dialogue our differences in order to make peace and reconciliation, staying and growing together to continue in brotherly love. Some people boycotted their local church to avoid troubles, but the trouble makers and the unrully are the ones to be sent out of our congregation and not the peaceful brethren.
We cannot walk away from the brethren or our local church because we are trying to avoid conflict -we are losing, while Satan is happy and winning.
We cannot separate from the brethren because we do not want to offend and we don’t want to be offended. We shouldn’t bear grudges neither should we keep malice for things past or present- not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that you are thereunto called; that you should inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3: 8-9.
Our spiritual and Christian life is very challenging but enormously rewarding. It is a call to Christ moral and spiritual perfection as we walk in love and to put on charity which is the bond of perfection –let all your things be done in charity -which means that we are to speak, act, think, and walk and to live in love, but in all purity.
The mercies, compassion and favour which we received daily from God should be extended and shown to others in our kind and soft dealings, flexibility and relationship with the unbelievers as well as with the brethren in the Lord, (be patient toward all men. 1 Thessalonnians 5:14) lest we become like the wicked servant thrown into the furnace of fire by his master for his refusal to be patient with his fellow servant’s payment of debt after he had just received the cancelation of his gross debt from the master…they that observe lying vanity, forsake their own mercies – put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering. Forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. Colossians 3: 12-13.
If we are walking daily in the Spirit, the transforming power of Christ within shall restraint us as believer from manifesting the old animalistic mentality and comportments other than to grow daily in the fruit of Christ goodness, forbearance and his longsuffering, who when he was reviled, he reviled not again: when he suffered, he threatened not: but committed himself to him (God) that judges righteously. The believer is called and chosen to lead and live in a different moral of higher spiritual mentality and standard far above the mundane and base mental attitudes of the unregenerated. This is the cause of their present and future glory and blessings in this world and the world to come as they frame and control their attitudes, conducts and speeches against insults, injury and deformation whatsoever in their persecution from the people of the world for the Lord’s sake by remembering the Lord in all their ways…..being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the off- scouring of all things unto this day…….In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with our armies. Thou make us to turn back from the enemy: and they which hate us spoil for themselves. Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen. Thou sell thy people for nought, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price. Thou make us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us. Thou make us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people. My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me, for the voice of him that reproaches and blasphemes; by reason of the enemy and avenger. All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant. Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way; though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death. If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; shall not God search this out? For he knoweth the secrets of the heart. Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day- long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter? Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? Arise, cast us not off for-ever. Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression? For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth. Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies’ sake….O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard: which holdeth our soul in life and suffereth not our feet to be moved. For thou, O God has proved us; thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into the net and laid affliction upon our loins. Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and water; but thou broughtest out into a wealthy place. Psalms 44: 8-25. Psalm 66: 8-12. 1 Corinthians 4:13.
There will always be situations (relevant or irrelevant) and people that cause offenses in the church, but we are to walk in all wisdom and in all longsuffering, for-bearing one another and forgiving one another, even as God for Christ sake has forgiven us. Believer should not go to bed without resolving any problem or issue at hand against another. He is to freely express his grievance and never let the sun to go down upon his wrath, neither to give place to the Devil, but to say a simple and sincere sorry if he is wrong. Bitterness of heart is a spiritual defilement and cancer of the spirit…..let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ sake hath forgiven you. Jeremiah 12:5. Ephesians 4: 31-32.
Love covers multitudes of sin if we can forbear, pass over and over-look the offense in spiritual understanding and maturity without malice and grudge, getting along well with the offender as if nothing has ever happened….the discretion of a man deferred his anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. Proverbs 19:11.
Love covers multitudes of sin as we debate over our differences with one another to resolve the issues. We are not permited to complain or express our grievance to someone else before we dialogue with our offender. Discuss the problem between you and him alone and hear what he has to say……debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another. Proverbs 25:9. If the contention is unsolved by dialogue between two warring parties, they can then take two or three brothers from the church to help them judge the matter and to make peace. If the effort also fails, the problem should then be forwarded to the elders of the church to look into it and to judge. If the offender is adamant and haughty by the elder’s judgment, unyielding and quarrelsome, he should be excommunicated from the church and be treated as an unbeliever….Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglects to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew 18: 15-18.
Love covers multitudes of sin when excused have been presented, apology is tendered, the problem is solved and the matter is settled. But to bring back the old memory and repeat the old matter is of the devil to accuse and to open up the old wound, when we ought to forget the past offence and to follow after love. The old hatchet should be buried as we let go of the past and move forward in the same mind and heart of love…..whoso is covering transgression is seeking love, and whoso is repeating a matter is separating friendship. Proverbs 17: 9.
Envious anger – Cain and King Saul’s anger
Thisparticular anger which is borne out of envy is the most hurtful and destructive anger. There is no justifiable explanation or excuse can such a person under the control of this particular strong demon give as a reason for his dis-contentment and unruliness; and the bible is right when it says that none shall be able to stand before such an envious anger just like the unfortunate righteous Abel couldn’t escaped the destructive power of Cain’s envious anger until he finally slew him– wrath is cruel, anger is outrageous, but who is able to stand before envy? Eexcept the man saved or purposely delivered by the Lord from such a cruel spirit as David was delivered from the intensive hunt of King Saul’s envious anger to destroy his destiny and glory -And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.1 Samuel 23:14. Proverbs 27:4. Genesis 4: 3-6. 1 John 3:11-15.
In the days that Saul reign as King over Israel, was the Goliath, that experienced and mighty warrior of the Philistines taunt the people and nation of God; but none was able, bold and courageous to stand him and to wipe out his reproach, insults and curses from the land and against the people of God, except David who stood his ground to withstand and fight the uncircumcised champion of Gath and defeated him by the strength and power of God.
David put an end to the Philistines intimidation and oppressive power and reigns over the Israelis and the entire nation rejoiced for their deliverance from their enemy’s hand.
Apart from king Saul who was bitter for the victory wrought by God through David; all men, both young and old sang for joy of victory and voice of triumphed, even as women took up their tabrets to sing forth the worth of David’s might against the commandant of the Philistines army……And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine that the women came out of all cities of Israeli, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music. And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth (envious anger) and the saying displeased him; and he said, they have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David (to eliminate) from that day and forward. 1 Samuel 18: 6-9.
As head and King over the people, Saul ought to rejoice like the others for the great deliverance and victory over the enemy’s Philistines; nevertheless, he allowed envy, bitterness and jealousy, competitive and comparison spirits to take hold and got better part of him, and made him an irreconciliable bitter and personal enemy of the young shepherd boy (David) until his death. It was the beginning of the long war of pursuit, arrest and death warrant issued against David’s life; and if anyone is found helping or taking side with David, such is destined to die. It was also the beginning of the end of king Saul’s era as he was taken in his own wickedness and his fear finally came upon him just as he thought (1 Samuel 18:8) and David was enthroned in his place after his death. 2 Samuel 2:1-4.
Whatever spiritual capacity or grace is bestowed upon any, let us know that it is for the common good of all. We should therefore promote the cause of God and rejoices in the operations, manisfestations and works of his hands through our brothers and sisters for the administration and effectiveness of their gifts which is for the advancement of God’s purposes to the glory of the same Lord who is in us all and above us all.
It is of no use to fight against the elect(s) of God, for that is as fighting against God himself, showing our disapproval and resistance and unwillingness to accept divine approval, choice and will, refusal to bow down in reverence to the sovereignity of God.
Today in some churches among the brethren and in our society from the unbelievers, we can clearly see the bitter and envious anger of the carnal brethren and of the ungodly as they wrongly, falsely and angrily criticised and lied against men and women gifted and anointed into the ministry for the common good and edification of all in the body of Christ.
Ignorantly collaborating with Satan, these people are destroying the works of God through their envious and bitter anger instead of advancing and promoting by their involvement in participating in that which God is doing through their fellow brethren.
How many great works, breakthroughs and successes has been thwarted through men’s envious and bitter anger in our society?
How many lives has been terminated because of this envious spirit in the family and in our society? How many fresh and mighty move of the Spirit of God has been stopped by the sleeping leadership of some churches as they felt insecured in their position by the spirit of envy? They shall all be held accountable for the blood of the souls meant to be saved and shall all be guilty of gross transgressions before the presence of the Lord – indeed, some men’s sin are open before-hand, going before to judgement! 1Timothy5:24.
Self-disappointed, revengeful and suicidal anger
Ahitophel and Joseph’s brother’s anger
Shame is the promotion of fools. Proverbs 3:35. Sometimes, when the wickedness or failures of a wicked man’s devices are discovered; those with a conscience sealed with hot iron are not moved, but are instead persisted and continued in their wicked cause; while some at once being discovered, became shameful with self- hatred for the disappointment of their failed evil schemes: and, if their resilient is weak, they are frustrated for their failure and choosed to die than to live by taking their own life.
This is the description of Ahitophel’s self-destructive and suicidal crime which he thought was the solution to his failed revengeful betrayal of David after his evil counsel was reversed by God and rejected by king Absalom against his close confidant-David.
As the result of his failed and rejected evil counsel to destroy his freind’s life, he took his own life for the grudges and revengeful anger he has harboured against David’s vicious murder of his grand son in law (Uriah the Hittite) whom David slew for his wife’s sake. Ahitophel preferred to die than to see David’s alive, but God has for a long time severely judged and punished David for his sins of adultery and murderer committed against his neighbour and has for long repented before the Lord: yet, will Ahitophel not satisfied until he see David in the grave…..And when Ahitophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his house in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried. 2 Samuel 17: 23.
Prayerful and biblical-counsels, godly and not forceful opinions and encouragements should be given to the pastors, church workers and the brethren. People should be allowed to pray and wait upon God to lead them to a sound decision making before taking any advice into consideration concerning anything in the ministry or whatsoever in their life; but if a counsel is not accepted, there is no need to hate and to show any hurt feelings against the counseled. We should not be offended and become infuriated and counted it evil, humiliating and dishonouring against our personality (pride) when our counsel is not followed or heeded. Those little things should not stop us fom going to church and should not be an impediment to prevent us from giving godly counsel in pure conscience if it shall be so required in the near future.
God showed Joseph the dream of his glorious future and of the greatness of his destiny. In the singleness and simplicity of heart and innocence of his spirit, he gladly narrated and shared the good and the sweet dreams of his future’s greatness with his senior siblings, thinking that by the way, it shall be for the good of all. Little did he knew that his dreams will served the fuelling of envies to increasing anger with hatred and desire to destroy his future by killing him from the hands of his brothers. In their effort to changed Joseph’s destiny as portrayed in his dreams, they finally decided to get rid of him by selling him into the land of Egypt as a slave. After many years of separation from them, they finally came into physical contact when he made himself known to them; this time around, not as an innocent, naïve and slave boy, but as a prince and a prime minister of the land of Egypt. They were shocked and wished the earth could be opened and they should descend very quickly into hell than to come face to face with Joseph for their failed and aborted evil intentions and actions against him, while they bowed before him to fufil the dream they once fought against. Genesis 44:14.
He willingly and generously pardoned, comforted and encouraged them……now therefore be ye not grieved, nor angry (disappointed anger against themselves to fight one another and to find fault to condemn one another) with yourselves that you sold me hither, for God did send me before you to preserve life. Genesis 45: 5.
If we are forgiven by God, we should learn to forgive ourselves and to move forward in doing the right thing and not to dwell on the past failure but to trust in the forgiveness and redemptive power of God through Christ Jesus to cleanse our conscience from dead works as we make personal restitution where necessary…….And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, thy father did command before he died, saying, so shall ye say unto Joseph, forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, behold, we be thy servants.And Joseph said unto them, fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them. Genesis 50:15-21.
What a wise, bravery and godly act from Joseph to comfort and speak kindly unto his brethren? Were it not for his peaceful response, what could they have done to themselves to escape the wrath of Joseph’s vegenace?
Thou shall not kill – this law does not only applies against the murderers of men, but it also given for anyone with the idea or intent and action of taking his own life to escape the challenges of life or escape to face justice: and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him. It is an act of cowaedice and not braveness when people sought to keep their face down and to escape justice by committing suicide to worsen their situation before God and closes the door for change or repentance, testifying against their own self that they are indeed guilty, even as Judas finally committed suicide after his betrayal of Christ!
Anti- success and progress anger – Eliab’s anger.
Many famillies and churches are filled with men and women of this spirit who are just there to derail others out of the right way, purposes and plans of God for their lives. They are spiritually dis-armed young and old soldiers who seem to have lost God’s vision and purposes for their own lives and are out to make others to loose God’s given vision and sense of direction if care is not taken by the individual involved. Some are in the church not to encourage nor to serve as example for any growth, goodness, commitments and advancement for others in the Lord than to scare away and to obstruct the bold and spiritually gifted and talented men and women away from proper discharge of their callings by inaccurate fault finding under the pretence of false righteousness to grieve the comitted believer and to cause offence. The righteous is bold as lion – the believer should stand up for the Lord in their respective callings and in the exercises of their spiritual gifts, knowing whom they believed, if they are to overcome the anti –success and anti-progressive men and women around them. Such angry men and women are meant to scare individual away from their God’s given assignments by intimidation, scandalous reports and victimization against the will of God.
Also, there are rebellious, ungodly and carnal christians as mixed multitudes that shall not submit themselves to faithful reproofs and corrections from their local pastors, but would fly out to resentments and get angry and leave the church for another as they resist the truth and the church authority to weary and discourage the shepherd from rightly doing his ministerial duty, exercising his spiritual and ministerial authority for orderliness and proper fuctioning in the ministry. Titus 2:15. Satan uses these type of people to turn the church to a lawless and disorderly gathering and to make the undetermined and unstable pastor to compromise and de-railed from the undiluted word of God lest he offend the people and make them angry or they should leave the church -thus rendering the gospel and the cross of Christ without offense, diminishing and weakling its power unto salvation and rendering its success and victory as nothing…..If Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear; for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do. 1 Corinthians 16: 10. Anti- success men speaks and acts angrily in such a way to discourage and mock at others. They sometimes brought the false accusation and charges pride, intolerance, rudeness and every other unfounded alegations against the just, if we are unable to discern the tricks of the enemy and are ignorance of his devises to resist steadfast in faith and to bind him and his agents…..And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke unto the men; and Eliab’s ‘anger’ was kindled against David, and he said, why hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? ‘I know thy pride and the naughtiness of thine heart’; for thou hast come down to that thou mightiest see the battle. David stood his ground against his eldest brother’s unfounded accusations of pride and forwardness to intimidate him while he exclaimed in response to Eliab’s anger, what have I now done? Is there not a cause? This work of the flesh is the access and the open door for the Devil to propagate his work and acts of terror, intimidation and victimization against the testimony of Christ and the triumph of the word of God. To handle this type of confrontation properly, we need to walk and operate under the strong discernnement of the Spirit of God and courageous spirit. Eliab’s accusation against David was not ordinary, but a spiritual warfare from the pit of hell to stop David’s time of unveiling, glorification and testimony. If David by sentiment and intimidation had mistakenly hearkened to his eldest brother’s voice and would not want to be considered or seen as a proud young man, he should have missed his time of divine visitation and unveiling before the people of Israel and lost in divine’s timely of his destiny. Let us be bold and keep moving forward, never to be intimidated to face our Goliath and to stand before the mountain to speak against it in the name of the Lord. Is there not a cause! Quit you like men and behave strongly for the house of your God. 1 Samuel 17:28. Nehemiah 4: 1-4.
Demonically inspired, provocative and compromising anger
This is a direct assault from the enemy when a victim is under diffrent pressures of life and under terrible and strange difficulties of divers’ temptations from one fire to another and he’s tempted to stop waiting patiently on the Lord – to decide on his own, seek his own way, become wise in his own eyes to know the way out, to have his own way and to choose the sinful and ungodly paths of hopeless men of the world which leads to destruction – pressed hard under the burdens of life to abandon that which the Lord is doing and working in his life just because he want to measure up to the standard of the world on time for the applause of the carnal, and to gain the prosperity of the wicked without the Lord’s involvement or before his divine time – hope deferred makes the heart (impatient, weak, discouraged, indecisive and unbelief heart) sick….. Proverbs 13:12. ‘And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret’. 1 Samuel 1: 6. This is the time we need to be strengthened with all might according to divine glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness. The enemy, if possible, will try to bring us into verbal strife and confrontations with his instruments of provocation (human) to grieve the Spirit of God living in us. The patient to wait and keep the Lord’s way is a moral excellence we must possess to walk acceptably and approved by God. Many people failed in such a situation or one similar to Hannah’s when the ungodly and carnal brethren mocked at their trials, chastised them with bitter words and shook their heads in pity for their plights; then they felt challenged and humiliated for their adverse situation and circumstance in self pity for their faith and patience of hope in God’s promises and goodness. Job’s friends tried this on him in his trying period (I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.Shall vain words have an end? Or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief….then Job answered and said, how long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me.And be it indeed that I have erred, mine error remaineth with myself.Job 16: 1-4. Job 19: 1-4) but they couldn’t break through with their piercing like sword words to fret him. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him, fret (anger) not thyself because of him who prospered in his way, because of him who brings wicked devises to pass. Psalms 37:7. Such are tempted (if they are not standing firm on the unfailing promises of the Rock their God like Hannah stood firm for many years before that barren woman finally got seven kids from the Lord) to compromise by going down to Egypt (the world and Satan) for help as they commonly say in the world “help yourself and God will help you” or better say, “the heaven help those who help themselves”. We must wait until the trial is over and our change is come from the Lord who changes times and seasons and must not be angry at ourselves for no reason, neither sought after other gods to multiply our sorrow and not bow down to Satan for the affluents of this world in exchange for our souls. Never faint and get tense or be provoked by the adversary to do nasty things when the fulfilments of God’s promises are delayed. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning…….but as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.Therefore pride compassed them about as a chain; violence covers them as a garment.Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walks through the earth.Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.And they say, how doth God know? And is there knowledge in the most High?Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence.For all the daylong have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou cast them down into destruction.How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.As a dream when one awakes; so, O Lord, when thou awakes, thou shall despise their image.Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works. Psalms73. Proverbs 13:12.
Angry fellows -Intolerable men anger
This is a hot temper man with little or no self-control, temperance and longsuffering – he that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that rules his spirit is better than he that takes a city. Judges18:25. Proverbs16:32. Those folks looks ferociously and fearful to approach and they got nervous at any little, smallest, insignificant, irrelevant and laughable matters and jokes. He cannot bear to overlook anything than to react angrily; and while none has ever provoked him; his countenance is continually wrathfull and intense. This is the sign that the spirit of anger has totally taken him captive by his will. If a man who is possessed with this type of angry spirit is found somewhere and his presence is not immediately warmly welcome for one reason or other, instead of him to be patient, he will get angry, offended and grieved to leave the place at once. This same attitude he will display when any of his idea is not good enough to be taken into consideration. He has neither joy nor pleasure in any good thing if his approval is not on it and his proud opinion is not sought after before-hand.
They easily get angry when asked or confronted for the explaination of certain issues or actions from their part and are not happy at correction, but felt bitter and aggrieved whenever told they are wrong….proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealt in proud wrath. Proverbs 21:24. A man of great wrath shall suffer punishments; for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again. Such men are exited to warn you not to vex them: on such, the sun goes down on their anger for three hundred and sixty five days and more while they remain bitter- nursing their malice convincingly and bearing the grudges openly without any second thought towards God or man. Proverbs 19:19. Their wrath is cruel and their anger is outrageous. They get angry even at God and they stopped reading their bible and praying to him and attending church services and fellowship with the brethren. They abandoned their posts and work in the church because they are offended by the preaching and became angry. They will refuse to pick the telephone calls or listen to any advice at the time they are having their devotion to the spirit of anger. Proverbs 27:4.
This category of people is violent and destructive. They can unintentionally and unconsciously be violent, aggressive and brutal to slap and angrily pushed somebody standing before them away. They can look for an object or break anything to inflict injury on you. They can destroy such things as television and other electronic appliances in the house, breakable glass plates and cups and other households or kitchen utensils before the demon is pacified in them, and shall not mind replacing any damaged or broken items later if it is required. They can afflict themselves with knives, broken glasses and bottles and shall not be afraid to do the same to their victim if such would not flee their presence. Once such people ask you to leave, the best thing is to leave their presence at once and not try to pacify or reason with them at that moment; if not, anything unspeakable or unthinkable can happen. They behave angrily as if they are mentally mad, but they are not! They over-react and habitually strive with verbal harassement or violent conduct as they are always on the offensive and speak arrogantly in proud wrath (anger is the violent and dangerous outburst of an un-ruled spirit…he that has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. This is not helpful for their health. The medical experts say that having an angry personality can cause the blood vessels to narrow and the blood pressure to rise. People with short tempers have more thickening of the neck arteries, which boosts the odds of having a stroke. Proverbs 25:28. They are possessed and control by evil spirit. It is obvious that they must submit themselves for deliverance from the presence and chain of this great demon inhibiting them under a strong anointing of the Spirit of God if they seek for freedom- a man of great anger shall suffer punishment, for if you deliver him, yet you must do it again. Proverbs 19:19. It’s not possible to keep intervening or interpose day by day for the man of fierce and furious temper out of trouble for he will soon be trapped in another aggravated anger related problem again and again…..make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. Proverbs 22:24-25.