Together in Christ: 'Turn off the Rage!' — Psalm 37:8-9

Thursday, August 1, 2024

Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper — it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land.
— Psalm 37:8-9 NLT

Key Thought

In addition to the warning in today's verses from the Psalms, the book of Proverbs repeatedly warns us about the danger of anger. [1] Anger, when allowed to fester, explodes into rage. Regularly losing our temper leads to a shorter and shorter fuse controlling that temper. Eventually, unaddressed anger, hostility, and rage will lead to violence and destructive wickedness. This process isn't a theory. History has proven the truth that God's teaching makes clear. We need to hear the warnings about anger, rage, and losing our temper:

  • Stop doing them!
  • Turn from practicing them!
  • Do not engage in them!
  • They only lead to harm!

If you are having trouble controlling the anger that erupts from you onto others, please seek help from a minister, pastor, or godly counselor. Seek God's help in unlocking the source of your anger inside your heart. Also, be aware that you can't simply get rid of anger. Only eradicating this negative leaves a place in your heart for other evils to come in. [2] Learn to rejoice in the goodness God pours into your life each day and seek to be a conduit of His blessings. If your life is currently so difficult that you have trouble recognizing God's blessings, at least remember the greatest and eternal blessing that he gives through Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection. These positive spiritual activities change the trajectory of our daily lives and force the bitterness and rage out as we seek the Holy Spirit to produce the godly fruit of "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." [3]

[1] For example, Proverbs 14:29, 15:1, 25:23, 27:4, 29:11, 30:33. See also Ecclesiastes 7:9 and James 1:19-21.
[2] Matthew 12:43-45.
[3] Galatians 5:22-23.

Today's Prayer

O, righteous and loving Father, I ask for Your strength and the power of the Holy Spirit to help quiet the angry spirit in my heart and fill me with Your grace and kindness. I want the fruit of the Holy Spirit to flow out of me so I can be a conduit of Your righteous character, gracious compassion, and unfailing love. Forgive me for my eruptions of anger that have compromised my character and my relationships. Please bless me as I seek to reconcile with those whom my anger has wounded and as I seek their forgiveness. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Ephesians 4:26-32
  • Colossians 3:1-10

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Illustration

Illustration of Psalm 37:8-9 NLT — Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper — it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land.

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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