Getting To The Root Of Our Anger
Tuesday, February 4
Reading: Matthew 5:21-26
Anger
Before Reading Matthew 5:21-26:
Take a few deep breaths to slow your heart and mind. Pray, inviting God into your thinking over these next few moments. Honestly reflect, and journal on the following questions:
After Reading Matthew 5:21-26:
Anger can come in a variety of different forms. Depending on our temperament or circumstances, anger can look like verbally or physically lashing out. Many of us would not consider ourselves to be an angry person, but anger can live inside of us under the guise of other names. We may say “I’m not angry. I am frustrated…or irritated…or just bothered.” But the root emotions for all of these is anger.
In some translations, verse 22 mentions the word “Raca” (raka), an Arabic word meaning “contempt”. Theologian Dallas Willard, in his book The Divine Conspiracy, explains that “The intent and the effect of contempt is always to exclude someone, push them away, leave them out and isolated.” He goes on to say that “filthy language and name calling are always an expression of contempt.”
The second section of this passage is all about forgiveness and reconciliation. All over Scripture, we are instructed to seek forgiveness when we have done something wrong toward someone else. Surprisingly this passage takes it a step further by telling us to leave what we are doing, to go and be reconciled to the other person if we remember that someone is holding something against us. As followers of Jesus, we are not just responsible for reconciliation when we are in the wrong…but we are called to do what we can to restore broken relationships when we have been the person wronged as well. THAT is radical living!
Take a few deep breaths to slow your heart and mind. Pray, inviting God into your thinking over these next few moments. Honestly reflect, and journal on the following questions:
- What distractions do I need to set aside in order to focus?
- What do I need to surrender to God?
After Reading Matthew 5:21-26:
Anger can come in a variety of different forms. Depending on our temperament or circumstances, anger can look like verbally or physically lashing out. Many of us would not consider ourselves to be an angry person, but anger can live inside of us under the guise of other names. We may say “I’m not angry. I am frustrated…or irritated…or just bothered.” But the root emotions for all of these is anger.
- What words are you most likely to use to describe how you feel when you’re angry?
In some translations, verse 22 mentions the word “Raca” (raka), an Arabic word meaning “contempt”. Theologian Dallas Willard, in his book The Divine Conspiracy, explains that “The intent and the effect of contempt is always to exclude someone, push them away, leave them out and isolated.” He goes on to say that “filthy language and name calling are always an expression of contempt.”
- Who or what do you feel contempt toward? Do you use name calling or excluding behaviors with anyone in your life? What prompts those feelings and reactions?
The second section of this passage is all about forgiveness and reconciliation. All over Scripture, we are instructed to seek forgiveness when we have done something wrong toward someone else. Surprisingly this passage takes it a step further by telling us to leave what we are doing, to go and be reconciled to the other person if we remember that someone is holding something against us. As followers of Jesus, we are not just responsible for reconciliation when we are in the wrong…but we are called to do what we can to restore broken relationships when we have been the person wronged as well. THAT is radical living!
- Who have you wronged that you need to reach out to and seek forgiveness?
- Who is holding something against you that you need to bravely and humble step toward in hopes of reconciliation?
Resources
- There are several Bible Studies on Anger, Forgiveness & Reconciliation available through Right Now Media.
- Book: Forgiving What You Can’t Forget by Lysa Terkeurst
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