“And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males” (Genesis 34:25).
TEXT — Genesis 34:13-26
Message
Anger is a terrible human weakness that has far-reaching consequences. It not only causes harm and destruction in others but also has short and long-term harmful effects on the person who displays it. Uncontrolled anger increases anxiety, high blood pressure, and headache, and can cause more severe and permanent damage to one’s health and life. It puts the heart at great risk, ups one’s stroke risk, weakens the immune system, and can result in sudden death. It is something to avoid at all costs.
Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite, defiled Dinah, Jacob’s daughter – an act considered an abomination in Israel. After the act, he came to have her as his wife. Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, answered them deceitfully, urging them to circumcise themselves in order to be qualified to have Dinah. However, the two sons of Jacob took advantage of their sore wounds and weakness and killed all the males, and spoilt the city.
While there is nothing to justify Shechem’s action, there is nothing also to justify the foolish angry display of Jacob’s sons. “Two wrongs”, they say, “do not make a right”. Anger leads to errors of judgment and all forms of other sins, including murder. The damage it causes most times far outweighs what causes it. It is important to be thoughtful and not to be rash in acting when under any form of provocation.
This is where the grace of God comes in. Ferocious and uncontrollable anger is not a character consistent with anyone that has truly received the grace of God. As believers, we must learn to be like Christ during provocation. We need His gentle, meek, and calm disposition. We must allow our hearts to be filled with the love of God and learn to be patient, tolerant, and forgiving.
Thought for the day
Anger is a poisonous brew – a mixture of sadness and madness.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
9 comments
Daily manner is a real food for both the soul,spirits and the body.
Daily manner is a real food for both the soul,spirits and the body.
Lord filled me with thy Love and help me to be patient, tolerant and forgiving
May I not be overcomes by anger
We will not see anger
This is a lovely app rather it is teaching me a lot than I even can endure
Anger destroys. It has led many to their early grave, prisons, etc. May the Spirit of God conquer every trace of anger in our lives in Jesus’ name.
Lord have mercy
Lord is our strength and our shepherd .
Anger is one of the satanic weapon of destruction. May the Almighty God deliver every one of us from the spirit of anger in Jesus Name Amen!