Taming the Fire Within:
Saints of God, I came to tell somebody tonight — anger is a spark, but sin is the fire it can ignite! The Apostle Paul warned us in (Ephesians 4:26–27), ...“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath, neither give place to the devil.” My God! That means anger itself ain’t the sin — it’s what you do with it that determines whether you’re walking in the Spirit or giving Satan a seat at your table! Let me break this down, church! Paul was pulling from (Psalm 4:4), ...“Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.” You see, David said, “When you’re angry, pause and pray before you act!” Somebody shout, “Pause and pray!” Because if you don’t pause and pray, you might react and regret!
(James 1:19–20) tells us, “Be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath, for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” ...In other words, your temper can cancel your testimony! Your rage can wreck your righteousness! You might feel justified, but if your emotions get the best of you, you’ve given the devil a foothold! And once he’s got a foothold, he’ll try to build a stronghold!
Come on, somebody! (Proverbs 14:29) says, “He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding.” You’re not weak when you hold your peace; you’re wise! You’re not soft when you stay calm; you’re spiritual! (Proverbs 16:32) declares, “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” In other words; you’re more powerful when you can rule your temper than when you can rule an army. Glory to God!
But Paul didn’t stop at anger; he said, “Neither give place to the devil.” Because the devil loves dirty places; he loves a bitter heart, a grudge-holding spirit, an unforgiving soul! He can’t stand a praying saint, but he’ll dance with a mad one. He can’t handle a worshipper, but he’ll whisper to a wounded heart, “Don’t forgive them.” Oh, but child of God, you better shut that door before the devil walks through it! (Romans 12:19) says, “Avenge not yourselves; vengeance is mine, saith the Lord.” When you release it, God can redeem it. When you forgive it, God can fix it. But if you hold on to that anger, it’ll rot your joy and ruin your peace. Anger left overnight becomes bitterness by morning!
Jesus said in (Matthew 5:22), “Whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.” So you better check that attitude at the altar! Lay that grudge at the foot of the cross! Don’t go to bed mad — go to bed free! Don’t wake up bitter — wake up blessed!
Because when you forgive, you frustrate the devil! When you let go, you let God! When you choose peace over payback, you declare, “No room for Satan in my spirit!” And that’s why (Romans 13:14) says, “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh.” Cover yourself in Jesus before the sun goes down!
Look; “Don’t give the enemy a pillow on your anger!” Don’t let the sun set while your heart still burns with bitterness. Lift your hands and say, “Lord, renew my spirit! Lord, heal my heart! Lord, take the anger, and give me peace!” Because victory isn’t just shouting on Sunday; it’s forgiving on Monday! The real power isn’t in getting even — it’s in letting go! Are you prepared to close the door on the devil!” Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath; let the Son of God rise up in your heart!