Matters of Faith

Reverend J. Loren Russell

Ephesians 4:29-32 CEV

Don’t let any foul words come out of your mouth. Only say what is helpful when it is needed for building up the community so that it benefits those who hear what you say. Don’t make the Holy Spirit of God unhappy—you were sealed by him for the day of redemption. Put aside all bitterness, losing your temper, anger, shouting, and slander, along with every other evil Be kind, compassionate, and forgiving to each other, in the same way God forgave you in Christ.

The easiest way to deal with anger is to retaliate or inflict physical harm to the person who caused your anger, or to take it out on someone else. Trained professionals tell us that much of the violent behavior we see in society is caused by trauma, poor impulse control, and learned aggressive behaviors. Throughout our worldwide community today, people are more inclined to deal with anger or their internal pain with violence. We tend to imitate what we have experienced or what we have learned. Many in our society are still hurting from past experiences – and as the saying goes, ‘hurt people hurt people.’ As my father used to say, “Anybody can do that!”  

Overcoming trauma, learning to control our impulses, and creating alternatives to aggressive behavior is difficult. Some seek alternatives to violent behavior and often engage the aid of the same professionals who named the causes of violent behavior, others try to cure themselves. Then, there are those who choose an ecclesiastical or biblically-based remedy, recognizing the deeper truth that transformation requires more than awareness; it requires a change of heart.

In last week’s devotional, I talked about a discussion I had with a group of professionals about reaching young people with a transformational message. My comments were based on my understanding of the human heart and its desire forand its ability to respond to genuine love. The ecclesiastical approach is not merely inspirational, but uniquely transformational that cuts across all psychological, sociological, economic, and/or cultural persuasion because love is its  foundation.

In the 4^th chapter of Paul’s epistle to the Ephesian church, he begins by identifying himself as a bondservant of the Lord Jesus Christ, then reminding his readers that they too are worthy to be called and used by God. I really appreciate Paul telling them about being members of one body, and that each member is given unique gifts that individually then collectively help to build the community of faith. They are encouraged to live beyond past trauma and pain.

These are benefits of choosing the spiritual option. It will not breed violence and does not grieve the Holy Spirit of God. When chosen, this option stops foul words from coming out of mouths, empowers speaking only what is helpful, removes bitterness, controls tempers, restrains’ anger, transforms shouting to praising, slandering to complimenting, and eliminating every other evil. Paul tells them that this other option will make them kind, compassionate, and forgiving to each other, the same way God forgives in Christ Jesus. To be clear, the spiritual or ecclesiastical choice is the other option…, and the option of choice in Paul’s day and our modern-day society as well.  

Be Blessed!