Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. [Eph 4:26-27 ESV]
Do you find yourself getting angry? What are you getting angry at? Is it the sin you see in our world and the effects of sin that makes you angry? Or is it a different opinion someone else may have on how we live and react to the medical, political, and social issues going on in our world? Is it ok to be angry? Wednesday I want to look closer at anger and righteous anger, but today I just want to take a short glance at the beginning of these verses before continuing on to the end.
“Be angry and do not sin.” Most of us probably think of this verse in the New Living Translation which puts it, “Don’t sin by letting anger control you,” or the NIV which says, “In your anger do not sin.” I like the frankness of the ESV which says, “Be angry and do not sin.” There is a time to be angry, and we’ll look at that more next time. However, even when anger is an appropriate reaction, we must be careful not to let it lead to sin whether in word, mental attitude, or deed.
Verse 27 says, “and give no opportunity to the devil.” I’ve always preferred this verse in the NIV translation which says, “and do not give the devil a foothold.” When I was in high school I worked at a camp in the summer. My older brother was the assistant manager and on weekends he would occasionally take a group of us rock climbing at a climbing gym. When you look at a climbing wall, there are plastic chunks scattered all over and up the wall to assimilate rock. There are big pieces and little pieces. There are also special shoes to wear which basically allow your foot to bend and flex as if there is no shoe on it, merely a plastic sock. Often times for someone new to rock climbing, the hardest part to learn is that your arms can’t pull you up–it’s your feet that need to do the work. Your fingers can only grasp certain (usually larger) holds, but your feet and toes can grasp onto the smallest object on the wall. Your toes can bend and stabilize you using a tiny hold, then your foot can propel you upward to a handhold you could never reach without a leap. That tiny hold your toe clings to is called a foothold. It’s what Ephesians warns us no to give the devil; a tiny insignificant hole in our armor that he penetrates and uses to propel us in a direction opposite of that which the Lord would have us go.
Right now Satan is creating so many opportunities for us to give him a foothold. Are you full of fear and spend nights awake in worry? Have you opened yourself up to media you wouldn’t normally listen to or watch because you are bored or have been home for months and just figure, “Why not?” Are you angry and frustrated at the reactions or approach your neighbors, your government, your job, or even your church family have had to any number of issues plaguing our nation and world at this time? Be careful and be on your guard.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” [1Pe 5:8-9 ESV]
Reflection Questions:
- What are things in your life and your family’s lives that you see could become a foothold?
- How can you resist Satan and not give him those footholds?
Reflection Song:
