Category: Daily Devotionals

14. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?

15. And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

Yoke: A Word Rarely Used Today, Yet Rich With Meaning for the Believer

In Paul’s day, farming was a well-respected and essential way of life. Eating from the land wasn’t taken for granted as it is today, so it was common practice to use farming metaphors when teaching spiritual truths. In fact, the word “yoke” appears 49 times in the Bible, showing that who the children of God attach themselves to is of great importance to Him. Jesus has specific instructions about His own yoke in Matthew 11:29-30 stating: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

What we read as the New Testament was not written at the time of Paul’s ministry. When Jesus spoke of His yoke, Paul was still a Pharisee, making unlikely that he would have heard or respected any of Jesus’ teachings. This just adds weight to the significance of the yoke as a metaphor for the believer. It is a picture God intentionally preserved—one the Holy Spirit inspired writers to use across scripture, to teach His people how to walk in unity with Him.

When two oxen are “unequally yoked” there is a shorter or weaker ox teamed with a taller or stronger ox. The shorter or weaker ox slows down the two, even leading them to walk in circles instead of moving forward. In the same way, the unbeliever acts as a counterbalance to the faith of the believer. Being unequal spiritually is what Paul is warning against, not stature or strength. Unequally yoked spiritually leads to confusion, frustration, misunderstanding, and misdirection.

Interaction is Unavoidable, but Unions Can Be Costly

It is impossible to avoid interacting with unbelievers; they are in our workplaces, communities, online spaces, and even in the social gatherings believers attend. Lukewarm believers can find themselves thinking and acting like unbelievers without even realizing it. So while unbelievers will be among us until the end of the age, it remains our duty to protect our faith by limiting the influence we allow them to have over us. Building close relationships with unbelievers risks being subtly led into sin. Gradually, the norms of the world begin to feel acceptable. “Jesus turned water into wine” becomes the justification that leads from casual to excessive drinking. “Try it before you buy it” becomes the excuse for fornication. Believers do stumble and commit sin, but being yoked together with unbelievers increases the danger of drifting into a sin-filled life.

Light cannot fellowship with darkness because of the power its gravity holds in this fallen world. The god of this world is Satan, and he uses unbelievers to spiritually blind those who are not firmly rooted in Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4). God has commanded the light to shine out of darkness (2 Corinthians 4:6), but for the believer’s light to shine onto the unbeliever does not require communion with them. It means that in our interactions, the way we carry ourselves, and live our lives should influence them toward Christ. Light shines and can influence from a distance. Darkness, however, does not illuminate; it must draw its subject close in order to exert influence.

Light has nothing in common with darkness; Christ has no alignment with Belial—a name meaning “worthlessness” referring to Satan himself. Just as Jesus separated Himself from the ways of Satan, God’s children must separate themselves from the ways of this world. We are commanded to form no union with the ungodly—this is the meaning of 2 Corinthians 6:14: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?”

Unholy Unions Lead to Discipline and Chastisement From God

The moral infrastructure that forms the foundation for the unbeliever is built on a completely different framework than that which forms the beliefs of the child of God. Forming a union with the ungodly will undoubtedly shake the framework your foundation is built on—leading to losses that only a complete course correction can regain. It is the kind of spiritual detour that requires being grafted back in again for spiritual restoration after repentance (Romans 11:23)—and the spiritual discipline and chastisement that come with that process is no small matter.

Choose your unions wisely and ask God for wisdom when forming them. This covers romantic relationships, friendships, and even business partnerships. While we cannot choose our earthly family, we can choose to distance ourselves from family members who are not Christ-centered. Do not overlook ungodly ways for the sake of family ties—those who are prideful, critical of others, bitter, or angry—they can be just as damaging to you as a friend or associate who shares the same traits. Following Christ is not a walk handed down automatically from generation to generation, though a Christ-centered upbringing can be a powerful influence. This is why we must teach the young among us to follow Christ, not only with our words but expressed in the way we live. Our example becomes the yoke they learn to walk under.

Scriptures That Warn Against Unholy Unions

Psalm 1:1
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”

Proverbs 29:27
“The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright.”

Romans 1:29-32
“Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”

1 Corinthians 15:33
“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’”

1 John 2:15-17
“Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

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A Prayer to Walk in Faith as a Child of Light

Father God in Heaven, although I am surrounded by nonbelievers in this world, Your light shines through their darkness, giving me the hope of the promise of Your Kingdom—the inheritance I have received through your only begotten Son, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I rest in the work of the Cross, knowing that my faith is my bond to You. Let your Spirit guide me and show me how to be a vessel of Your light. In the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

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Trinitarian Benediction

As darkness tries to overtake you, may God’s light shine brighter through you.
May you find strength in Jesus your savior when your flesh grows weak.
And may the Holy Spirit lead you away from every temptation.

12. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13. Which things also we speak, not in the words which mans wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 

After the fall of man to sin, earth came under the influence of the evil one. 2 Corinthians 4:4 declares “the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not”, the god of this world being Satan. In John 8:44, in no uncertain terms, Jesus tells the pharisees that their spiritual father is Satan. These may be reasons that Paul felt it necessary to enlighten the believers in Corinth, that once they accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they inherited the Spirit of God — the Holy Spirit dwelling within them (1 Corinthians 3:16).

The unbelieving world is completely spiritually blinded to the ways of God. Unfortunately, even some who claim to believe in God have taken to a watered-down Gospel — one that depicts Jesus as a great teacher, orator, or philosopher, rather than the Son of God. This completely diminishes the work of the Cross and plays right into the hands of the evil one. In the same way, prosperity preachers have turned worship services into motivational speaking events, cherry-picking the scriptures and portraying God as one who exists to serve His people.

These false wisdom’s of man blind the spiritual understanding of many even further, preventing the transforming work of the Holy Spirit from taking place. Prior to His ascension, Jesus explained to the disciples the role the Holy Spirit would play. In John 16:13, He taught that when the Spirit comes to those who believe, He will guide them to all truth. The guidance of the Spirit leads to the ability to “compare spiritual things with spiritual” — the ability to discern righteous from worldly, what is of God’s truth, from what is of man.

The natural person cannot receive the truths taught by the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit convicts, the natural person calls it “feeling guilty” and soon talks themselves into the next sin. Divine intervention they call intuition or wisdom, never giving thought that the outcome may not have been for their benefit at all — but for one of God’s children who may be affected by their worldly decisions. Without being able to discern spiritually, divine moments are misinterpreted, and spiritual truths are dismissed as foolishness.

To the contrary, the spiritual mind judges all things spiritually, according to its walk with Christ. Jesus teaches in John 16:13,14 that the Spirit “will not speak of himself” and that he will glorify Jesus,“He shall glorify me, for he shall receive of mine, and show it unto you.” The Holy Spirit dwells within the believer enabling them to discern all things with the mind of Christ. For this reason, the spiritual mind is a highly coveted target of the evil one — because once a believer learns to think with the mind of Christ, the enemy loses his influence.

The Holy Spirit and the mind of Christ are gifts given freely from God to all who believe. Satan thought he had won once he was able to lead Adam and Eve into sin by doubting God’s instruction. This is the same temptation he uses on God’s children today, to draw them away from His truth. Yet even though Jesus has defeated Satan, the Holy Spirit restrains his evil influence by giving divine guidance and instruction to the believer — until the end, when Satan meets his final judgment and is cast into the lake of fire with the unbelievers. Because of this, it is our responsibility to guard our minds against worldly temptation by staying spiritually inclined through prayer and reading the Word, daily. Ensuring our place in eternity, the new Heaven and new earth, as God has promised (Isaiah 65:17, Isaiah 66:22, 2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:1).

Father God in Heaven, you have freely given me Your Spirit and the mind of Christ to guide and strengthen me. You knew the evil one would tempt my weak flesh, so You made my spirit strong through Yours. You knew my natural mind would cause me to stumble, yet through Christ I will not fall. While I may be judged by others according to my foolish past, you only see the new creation you’ve made. I am forever grateful that Your ways are higher than worldly ways, and Your understanding is not that of man. I give You thanks in the name of Jesus. Amen.

12. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

13. Which things also we speak, not in the words which mans wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The Evil Elohim

After the fall of man to sin, earth came under the influence of the evil one. 2 Corinthians 4:4 declares “the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not”, the god of this world being Satan. In John 8:44, in no uncertain terms, Jesus tells the Pharisees that their spiritual father is Satan. This could be one of the reasons the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to enlighten the believers in Corinth—and us—that once Jesus is accepted as Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit dwells within, making the body the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16). Without knowing this, the believer’s mind is more likely to remain in a natural state and susceptible to evil influences.

Believers must also recognize there are other dark forces in the spiritual realm besides Satan. These evil entities are continually trying to control and separate mankind from God. After God dispersed the people into nations at the Tower of Babel, He also placed angels over the nations to guide them (Deuteronomy 32:8-9)—but these angels, like Satan, went against Him. This is revealed in Psalm 82:1-2, “God presides in the great assembly; he renders judgment among the “gods”: ‘How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?‘” In the original Hebrew writing, the word Elohim is used for the English, God or gods. Elohim is not the name of God, but is a word used to describe divine or heavenly beings. God presides over lesser gods (divine beings), but there is no other God like Yahweh.

This gives complete understanding to, and the weight of, Paul’s words in Ephesians 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

What the Spiritually Blind Cannot See

The unbelieving world is spiritually blinded to the ways of God. Unfortunately, even some who claim to believe in God have taken to a watered-down Gospel—one that depicts Jesus as a great teacher, orator, or philosopher, rather than the Son of God. This completely diminishes the work of the Cross and plays right into the hands of the evil one. In the same way, prosperity preachers have turned worship services into motivational speaking events, cherry-picking the Scriptures and portraying God as one who exists to serve His people.

These false wisdoms of man blind the spiritual understanding of many even further, preventing the transforming work of the Holy Spirit from taking place. Prior to His ascension, Jesus explained to the disciples the role the Holy Spirit would play. In John 16:13, He taught that when the Spirit comes to those who believe, He will guide them to all truth. The guidance of the Spirit leads to the ability to “compare spiritual things with spiritual”—discerning righteous from worldly, and distinguishing God’s truth from worldy deception.

The natural person cannot receive the truths taught by the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit convicts, the natural person calls it “feeling guilty” and soon rationalizes the next sin. Divine intervention they call intuition or wisdom, never giving thought that the outcome may not have been for their benefit at all—but for one of God’s children who may be affected by their worldly decisions. Without being able to discern spiritually, divine moments are misinterpreted, and spiritual truths are dismissed as foolishness.

Spiritually Enlightened Through the Mind of Christ

By contrast, the spiritually enlightened mind evaluates all things spiritually, according to its walk with Christ. Jesus teaches in John 16:13-14 that the Spirit “will not speak of himself” and that He will glorify Jesus,“He shall glorify Me, for He shall receive of Mine, and show it unto you.” The Holy Spirit dwells within the believer enabling the believer to discern all things with the mind of Christ. For this reason, the spiritual mind is a highly coveted target of evil spirits—because once a believer learns to think with the mind of Christ, the enemy loses his influence.

The Holy Spirit and the mind of Christ are gifts given freely from God to all who believe. Satan thought he had won once he was able to lead Adam and Eve into sin by doubting God’s instruction. This is the same temptation evil forces use on God’s children today, to draw them away from His truth. Yet even though Jesus has defeated Satan, the Holy Spirit restrains evil influences by giving divine guidance and instruction to the believer—until the end—when Satan and those like him receive final judgment and are cast into the lake of fire with the nonbelievers. Because of this, it is our responsibility to guard our minds against worldly temptation by staying spiritually inclined through prayer and reading the Word, daily—ensuring our place in eternity, the new Heaven and New Earth, as God has promised (Isaiah 65:17, Isaiah 66:22, 2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:1).

The Greatest Gifts From God

Grace—God’s unmerited favor—is another gift He freely gives to His children. It is God’s grace, administered by the Holy Spirit, that manifests as real-world blessings in the believer’s life. The unexpected money that arrives at the perfect moment. The person who steps in to help when you never thought to ask. The times you prepared yourself to receive bad news, only to find it turned out good — or far better than you feared. These are glimpses of God working behind the scenes, quietly administering His grace. This is why Philippians 4:6 teaches, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

God’s grace—the unmerited favor that prepares people and situations to work in our favor—is the very reason boasting has no place in the Christian walk. Jesus taught this plainly in John 15:5 when He stated, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” When we walk in the Spirit, we bear the fruit of the Spirit, and God allows His grace to flow freely into our lives. The “much fruit” Jesus speaks of refers to the many blessings God bestows on the believer whose heart is aligned with His. We may bear the fruit, but every blessing is ultimately to bring glory to God. When we testify of these blessings we receive, we are to give all credit to God. In doing so, we express the spiritual wisdom the Holy Spirit has taught us, revealing how God works in the life of the believer (1 Corinthians 2:13).

There is one gift that rises above all others—a gift none of us deserves, yet one God freely offers to all who believe. His desire to give this gift is so deep that He sacrificed His only begotten. It is the gift of inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven and receiving eternal life—to never be separated from Him. Romans 8:7 states unmistakably, “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.” The carnal mind is natural, fleshly, and worldly in its thinking. Because of this, it is always at odds with God, doubts God, and cannot understand God—placing the unrepentant heart at risk of eternal separation from Him.

Turning God’s Pain Into His Glory

Jesus spoke plainly in Luke 13:3, “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” The words of Jesus may sound harsh, but we must consider the pain God felt when Lucifer—His most perfectly created angel—and others, turned against Him. They now work tirelessly to turn every child of God away from Him. This is why God will not risk an unrepentant heart inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven. 2 Peter 3:9 reveals the depths of God’s love: “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” For over two thousand years since offering the gift of redemption, God has endured humanity’s evil and wickedness in the natural world. Every new day is an opportunity the unrepentant heart can use to turn to God and receive the gift of eternal life with Him.

As God’s children, we are to testify about the gifts He freely gives—both with believers and nonbelievers. We share with fellow because fellowship strengthens our shared faith. This is why Proverbs 27:17 declares: “Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.” And with nonbelievers so that our testimony may draw them to God. 1 Peter 3:15-16 instructs, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” We are God’s ambassadors, called to live righteously through Christ Jesus, being led by the Holy Spirit, as living testimonies of the love of God.

Scriptures That Reveal God’s Work in Us

John 4:24
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

Romans 12:2
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

John 16:13
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come.”

Ephesians 2:8-9
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

James 1:17
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”

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A Prayer to Walk in the Spirit as a New Creation in Christ Jesus

Father God in Heaven, you have freely given me Your Spirit and the mind of Christ to guide and strengthen me. You knew evil forces would tempt my weak flesh, so You strengthened my spirit through Yours. You knew my natural mind would cause me to stumble, yet through Christ I will not fall. While I may be judged by others according to my foolish past, You only see the new creation You have made. I am forever grateful that Your ways are higher than worldly ways, and Your understanding is not that of mankind. In the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

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Trinitarian Benediction

As you walk among the fallen, may you see yourself as God sees you.
May your thoughts rest in Christ Jesus making every step steady.
And may the Holy Spirit be your guiding light, overcoming all darkness.

31. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice,
32. And be ye kind one to another. Tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.

1. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children.
2. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor;

Anger is Not Sin, An Angry Heart is

We read in the scriptures that both God and Jesus experienced anger — what we call righteous indignation. This is anger in response to ungodliness, injustice or the mistreatment of others. God displayed righteous indignation when dealing with the sins of the Israelites, and Jesus displayed it when confronting the hypocrisy and pride of the pharisees.

And although scripture warns us “Be ye angry and sin not, let not the sun go down on your anger” (Ephesians 4:26), it is the angry heart that makes a person contrary to God. Anger is not the sin — an angry heart is. So much so that Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 6:10 that revilers will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Revilers are those who verbally abuse, insult, or slander others — these behaviors flow from a bitter heart, not isolated instances of anger. Heaven is a place of pleasure with no pain or sin; therefore, the posture of the heart is what God judges.

A Great Harm to Christianity and the Believer

In the same way, being a Christian is to walk after Christ —carrying yourself in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control, the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23). Worshiping humbly on Sunday, but living with bitterness, wrath, and anger the rest of the week is not being Christlike and does great harm to Christianity. As believers, we are called to live lives that attract the lost and unbelieving to Christ. But when we live contrary to the character of Christ, we make ourselves hypocrites, weakening the witness of God’s Word.

Living with anger also does great harm not only to the soul, but to a person’s health and relationships. An angry nature places tremendous strain on the body and mind, eventually causing sever ramifications for the heart and brain. What begins as anger-induced high blood pressure can, over time, lead to heart attack or stroke. Bitterness of heart can also open the door to depression and anxiety, which often come from unresolved anger. Holding on to past mistakes and pain creates an environment where bitterness and resentment can flourish. Isaiah 43:18 teaches us, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” It is God’s reminder that He is always creating a better future for those who rest their faith in Him.

Peace Found in Forgiveness

We are commanded to forgive — not to make the person being forgiven feel better, but to release the anger and bitterness that slowly take control of the heart. No relationship — whether family, romantic, friendship, or professional — can survive an angry spirit. Few people want to remain close to someone whose nature is dominated by anger, bitterness, or resentment.

Forgiving others, and ourselves, frees the heart for the fruit of the Spirit to flourish. Confidence is built when strength is found in forgiveness, meekness and humility — while anger is a defense and protector of pride. Forgiveness strengthens and builds relationships, and a warm word invites conversation. Joy is shared among those who fellowship, whereas an angry expression leads to isolation. We are not merely commanded to walk in love as Christ loved us, but the fruit of the Spirit grows out of a heart shaped by God’s grace — the outward expression of being born again.

The Example Christ Gave to Guard Our Hearts

Romans 5:8 declares, “But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Christ went to the Cross willingly, not angrily. He healed out of love and forgave out of compassion. When He did express anger, it was at the injustice of others, and most severely towards those who twisted and perverted the Word of God.

The essence of being Christlike is to love and forgive like Christ, and to reserve our anger for what is truly ungodly and unjust. Never sleep with anger; do so and you rise with a bitter heart — and so begins the process. When Jesus expressed righteous anger, He didn’t dwell in it. He would move on in love and peace — the example His brothers and sisters are called to follow.

God knows that in this world we will experience anger and situations that, if allowed to linger, can grow into bitterness and resentment. This is why the Holy Spirit inspired the following Scriptures — to show us how to follow the example set by Christ Jesus and guard our hearts with His peace.

Scriptures That Lead Us Into God’s Peace Through Prayer and Forgiveness

Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Mark 11:25
But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”

Philippians 4:6-7
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing.

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A Prayer for Godly Peace

Father God in Heaven, in a world full of hostility, frustration, and anger, I pray for your peace that surpasses all understanding. Provide me with the peace that only Jesus can give — the peace that will form my heart to flow with the fruits of your Spirit. Your Word tells me that “He who is slow to anger is of great understanding” (Proverbs 14:29). Teach me to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger (James 1:19), so that my life may be healthy, peaceful, and marked with longevity. In the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

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Trinitarian Benediction

If pain tries to hide within your memories, may your faith in God guard your heart..
If anger tries to take root in you, may the peace of Jesus calm your spirit.
And may the Holy Spirit inspire you to always know you are loved.

31. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.

32. And be ye kind one to another. Tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.

1. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children.

2. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.

Anger is Not Sin, An Angry Heart is Sin

Scripture reveals that both God and Jesus experienced anger—what is known as righteous indignation. This is anger in response to ungodliness, injustice, or the mistreatment of others. God displayed righteous indignation when dealing with the sins of the Israelites, and Jesus displayed it when confronting the hypocrisy and pride of the Pharisees.

Although Scripture warns us “Be ye angry and sin not, let not the sun go down on your wrath” (Ephesians 4:26), it is the angry heart that makes a person contrary to God. Anger is not the sin—an angry heart is. So much so that Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 6:10 that revilers will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Revilers are those who verbally abuse, insult, or slander others—these behaviors flow from a bitter heart, not isolated instances of anger. Heaven is a place of pleasure with no pain or sin; therefore, the posture of the heart is what God judges.

A Great Harm to Christianity and the Believer

To be a Christian is to walk in the footsteps of Christ—carrying yourself in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control, the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Worshiping humbly on Sunday, but living with bitterness, wrath, and anger the rest of the week is not being Christlike, and does great harm to Christianity. As believers, we are called to live lives that attract the lost and unbelieving to Christ. But when we live contrary to the character of Christ, we make ourselves hypocrites, weakening the witness of God’s Word.

Living with anger also does great harm not only to the soul, but to a person’s health and relationships. An angry nature places tremendous strain on the body and mind, eventually causing severe ramifications for the heart and brain. What begins as anger-induced high blood pressure can, over time, lead to heart attack or stroke. Bitterness of heart can also open the door to depression and anxiety, which often come from unresolved anger. Holding on to past mistakes and pain creates an environment where bitterness and resentment can take root. Isaiah 43:18 teaches us, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” It is God’s reminder that He is always creating a better future for those who rest their faith in Him.

Peace Found in Forgiveness

We are commanded to forgive—not to make the person being forgiven feel better, but to release the anger and bitterness that slowly take control of the heart. No relationship—whether familial, romantic, friendship, or professional—can survive an angry spirit. Few people want to remain close to someone whose nature is dominated by anger, bitterness, or resentment.

Forgiving others and ourselves, frees the heart for the fruit of the Spirit to flourish. Confidence is built when strength is found in forgiveness, meekness, and humility—while anger is a defense and protector of pride. Forgiveness strengthens and builds relationships, and a warm word invites conversation. Joy is shared among those who fellowship, whereas an angry expression leads to isolation. We are commanded to walk in love as Christ loved us, to allow fruit of the Spirit flourish from a heart shaped by God’s divine grace—the outward expression of being born again.

The Example Christ Gave to Guard Our Hearts

Romans 5:8 declares, “But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Christ went to the Cross willingly, not angrily. He healed out of love and forgave out of compassion. When He did express anger, it was at the injustice of others, and most severely towards those who twisted and perverted the Word of God.

The essence of being Christlike is to love and forgive like Christ, and to reserve our anger for what is truly ungodly and unjust. Never carry unresolved anger into your rest; to do so is to risk giving rise to a bitter heart. When Jesus expressed righteous anger, He didn’t dwell in it; instead He would move on in love and peace—the example His brothers and sisters are called to follow.

God knows that in this world we will experience anger and situations that, if allowed to linger, can grow into bitterness and resentment. This is why the Holy Spirit inspired the following Scriptures—to show us how to follow the example set by Christ Jesus and to guard our hearts with His peace.

Scriptures That Lead Us Into God’s Peace Through Prayer and Forgiveness

Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

Mark 11:25
“But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”

Philippians 4:6-7
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Pray without ceasing.”

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A Prayer for Godly Peace

Father God in Heaven, in a world full of hostility, frustration, and anger, I pray for Your peace that surpasses all understanding. Provide me with the peace that only Jesus can give—the peace that will form my heart to flow with the fruit of Your Spirit. Your Word tells me that “He who is slow to anger is of great understanding” (Proverbs 14:29). Teach me to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger (James 1:19), so that my life may be healthy, peaceful, and marked with longevity. In the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

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Trinitarian Benediction

If pain tries to hide within your memories, may your faith in God protect your heart.
If anger tries to take root in you, may the peace of Jesus calm your spirit.
And may the Holy Spirit inspire you to always know you are loved.

12. So I let them follow their own stubborn desires, living according to their own ideas.

People often ask two questions concerning God, “Did God create evil?” and “Why does God allow evil to happen?” In a single sentence, Psalm 81:12 answers both questions with a resounding “NO” and “He doesn’t!” God does not create evil, and He definitely does not condone it. However, He has given free will to believers and nonbelievers alike, and He will not force His will upon either.

To the contrary, at the risk of accepting responsibility for our own actions, we must acknowledge that we not only create more ways of doing evil, but we also accept, normalize, and condone the evil that is contrary to the righteousness of God. Whether in word, action, or deed, our current generation has become less inclined to the ideas of godly living, leaning instead on its own understanding and desires of the flesh.

God has always allowed mankind to follow its desires. For the individual child of God, His discipline becomes the method to bring the lost soul back into alignment with Him. But with the hardened heart, discipline is ignored and dismissed as merely bad luck. Prompting “Why me” moments, and self-inflicted wounds become reasons to question God. The proud heart may never even recognize God’s calls. Pride becomes a guard against pain, making them judgmental of others as a way to deflect from their own shortcomings and misfortunes — pacifying themselves instead of repenting. Godly discipline should not be shunned but embraced. Hebrews 12:10 reminds us that, “For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.”

God’s desire is for His children to walk in His ways. When we do, He can bless us with the desires of our hearts, protect us from the evil that lurks, and satisfy us with His peace. Yet sometimes things beyond our control will happen, leaving us without understanding. The righteous will suffer many afflictions in this fallen world, but God promises to deliver them from them all (Psalm 34:19). His blessings, promises, and protections are not blocked by earthly circumstances — only by hearts that are hardened against Him. Humble hearts hear and respond to God’s calls, but a proud heart is blind to discipline, resists correction, missing the protection God wants to give.

By letting us follow the desires of our flesh, God is showing us the consequences of our choices when they align with the world, and not His ways. Allow His discipline to lead to self-discipline. Fear not the shedding of relationships, habits, and misguided teachings handed down. Instead, dare to come boldly seeking new understandings that reveal you to be the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). Unblocking the blessings and rewards that God has for your life.

Father God in Heaven, my faith has stayed in you, although my heart has swayed far from You at times. The desires of my flesh scream louder than the groanings of Your Spirit when I am weak. Correct my path, gently cure my thirst with your living Word, that it may go well with me, and my worldly pain turns into spiritual pleasure. In the name of Christ Jesus, I pray. Amen.

12. So I let them follow their own stubborn desires, living according to their own ideas.

Evil: A Creation of God or Man?

People often ask two questions concerning God, “Did God create evil?” and “Why does God allow evil to happen?” In a single sentence, Psalm 81:12 answers both questions, revealing that God neither created evil nor condones it. God did create spiritual beings that introduced evil into the world—and they are still the influence behind evil today. God has however, given free will to believers and nonbelievers alike, and He will not force His will upon either.

At the risk of accepting responsibility for our own actions, we must acknowledge that mankind creates the most abominable ways of doing evil, and we also accept, normalize, and condone the evil that is contrary to the righteousness of God. Whether in thought, word, or deed, our current generation has become less inclined to the ideas of godly living, leaning instead on our own understanding and desires of the flesh.

God Disciplines to Correct the Lost

God has always allowed mankind to follow its desires. For the individual child of God, His discipline becomes the method to bring the lost soul back into alignment with Him. But with the hardened heart, discipline is ignored and dismissed, often as mere bad luck or proof that God does not exist. This prompts “Why me?” reactions, turning self-inflicted wounds into excuses to question God. The proud heart may never recognize God’s calls. Pride becomes a guard against pain, making a person judgmental of others as a way to deflect from their own shortcomings and misfortunes—pacifying themselves instead of repenting. Godly discipline should not be shunned but embraced. Hebrews 12:10 reminds us: “For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.”

God’s desire is for His children to walk in His ways. When we do He blesses us with the desires of our hearts, protects us from the evil that lurks, and calms us with His peace. Yet sometimes things beyond our control will happen, leaving us without understanding. The righteous will suffer many afflictions in this fallen world, but God promises to deliver the righteous (Psalm 34:19). His blessings, promises, and protections are not blocked by earthly circumstances—only by hearts that are hardened against Him. Humble hearts hear and respond to God’s calls, a proud heart remains blind to discipline, resists correction, and forfeits the protection God wants to provide.

Consequences and the Teachings of the Old Testament

By allowing us to follow the desires of our flesh, God is showing us the consequences of our choices that align with the world rather than His ways. For the devout follower, it can be confusing when those with little to no desire to follow Christ—even those who claim to be Christians—seem to suffer few consequences for their actions, no matter how unholy their lives appear. It can be disheartening to watch greed and evil thrive when many believers are barely making ends meet. For parents who raise their children to keep God in their hearts, when they drift from Him as they grow it can be devastating to the child-parent relationship, while also leading to a life of misfortune in the child’s adult years.

These are circumstances in life that require Scripture to be rooted deeply in the believers heart so that faith to remains steadfast, and to understand that nothing goes unnoticed by God. To know Scripture is to know God, and it is the only way to build a relationship with Him. We learn from the Old Testament how often God was grieved when repeatedly rejected by His own people. Judges 21:25 tells us: “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Repeatedly, God’s people chose other gods over Him, even participating in pagan rituals and sacrifices. Not even the warnings of God’s prophets were enough to break their hardened hearts—instead, the prophets were rejected and often killed. To discipline His children, God allowed them to be taken captive by the very enemies they chose to emulate, each time resulting in the Israelites crying out to God in repentance asking for forgiveness. This is the same response God wants from His children today—to recognize our sins against Him, and to repent and ask for forgiveness.

The Deceitfulness of Sin

Life today is not much different from the days of the Old Testament. Hearts are still hardened, and the lust of the flesh exposes more than sexual immorality. Drug use is no longer seen as witchcraft, as described in the Bible. The word translated as ‘witchcraft’ is pharmakeia in the Greek. Pharmakeia originates from pharmakon which means drug, medicine, or potion. It is also where the English word pharmacy derives. In the Bible witchcraft is used to illustrate mind-altering substances used in rituals. Scripture reveals this in 1 Samuel 28:3-25, when King Saul enlisted the Witch of Endor to conjure the spirit of the prophet Samuel. Mind altering substances are a gateway to spiritual deception and loss of self-control. Even where ritual is not involved, the practice is still ungodly. Today, drug use, along with drinking in excess has become a cultural norm, expanding on an already ungodly society.

Thoughts and criticisms are rarely measured against God’s holy standards. Judgment is reserved for others, but rarely applied to one’s own life—the very self-examination Scripture calls us to make. People continue to do what is right in their own eyes. With today’s technology and the ease of travel, access to sin is greater than ever. To discipline a child is to risk accusations of abuse, and discipline from God is often dismissed as circumstances beyond one’s control—and for the cynical mind, even God’s will. For these very reasons, just as He did with Israel, God has handed stubborn hearts over to their own desires.

God’s Mercy is Always Near

Just as God never gave up on Israel, He has not given up on His children today. The same merciful heart that reached out to Israel in Psalm 81:13—”Oh that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways“—is the same merciful heart with which He reaches out to us today. God speaks through convictions of the Holy Spirit. He is just as close to us as He was with Israel in antiquity. Jesus, in the first century, expressed this same pain and mercy when He cried out in Matthew 23:37: “How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” From the Old Testament to the New Testament, and even into our modern world, God has always struggled with the stubbornness of the human heart.

Allow God’s merciful discipline to align your heart with His. Fear not the shedding of relationships, habits, and misguided teachings handed down through generations. Instead, dare to come boldly, seeking new understandings that reveal you to be the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21), removing the barriers that block blessings and rewards God desires to pour into your life.

The Loving Discipline of a Merciful God

Job 5:17
“Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.”

Proverbs 3:12
“For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the child in whom he delights.”

Hebrews 3:13
“You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.”

2 Corinthians 11:14
“For Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”

Psalm 103:8-10
“The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always contend with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our guilty deeds.”

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A Prayer for God’s Merciful Discipline

Father God in Heaven, my faith has stayed in you, although my heart has swayed far from You at times. The desires of my flesh scream louder than the groaning of Your Spirit when I am weak. Correct my path, gently cure my thirst with Your living Word, that it may go well with me, and that worldly pain turns into spiritual pleasure. In the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

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Trinitarian Benediction

As you navigate this fallen world, may your heart welcome the loving mercy of God.
May the outstretched arms of the Lord Jesus Christ embrace and protect you.
And may the Holy Spirit guide you toward the light that overcomes all darkness.