Ephesians 4:31

Verse of the Day Devotion: Ephesians 4:31

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” – Ephesians 4:31        

Now, as Paul wraps up this section of Ephesians, he again speaks on how we are to treat each other.  And this comes after the verse that speaks of grieving the Holy Spirit.  Hence, this speaks regarding things that would be considered as grieving Him.  When we look at this verse, we see what Paul apparently sees as a major problem regarding actions of Christians, that being how we treat each other.

Let us look at these items mentioned by Paul.  He first speaks of bitterness.  There are several ways to look at this however, I will look at one which falls perfectly in what Paul is speaking about.  First, when someone is angry and unhappy because they cannot forget a bad thing that happened in the past.  As an example, feeling bitter toward someone in your school who won an award you really wanted and felt you deserved over the other person.  Bitterness occurs when we are either unable or unwilling to forget something we deem wrong.  We must put all things negative away and not think about them anymore.  Paul writes to the Church at Philippi what we are to think about.  “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything, worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8. As you can see, bitterness is not included in this list.

Next is wrath.  This has the idea of passionate anger which lasts for a period of time which is opposed to being tender-heartedness toward the person we have wrath against.  Anger is similar to wrath but is more of a lasting resentment.   There is really nothing positive that comes from this.  In fact, a writer of Psalms says the following, “Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.” Psalm 37:8.  And James writes the following, “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20. 

Next, we have clamor.  The idea here speaks of a loud and confusing noise, especial from people who are so angry they just shout and yell at each other.  It also refers to making a demand, yelling loudly over and over.  It speaks of a noisy outcry from a person or group of people in a loud and harsh matter.  Next, we have slander, which is essentially speaking in a bad or injurious manner which could cause others to look negatively at the person being spoken about.  And finally, malice.  This is a step beyond slander in that it is not just words spoken, but also deeds.  An example is when you hate someone to the point of desiring revenge or harm.

These are all things we need to watch out for in our dealings with others.  We cannot claim to love others if we engage in any of these actions or thoughts about them.  All of these are actions that can cause us to grieve the Holy Spirit.  We must always look at ourselves and give up those things that are ungodly.  In Lamentations we read, “Let us examine and probe our ways, and let us return to the LORD.” Lamentations 3:40. And also, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me and lead me in the everlasting way.” Psalm 139:23-24.  Let us call out to God and ask Him to remove these wrongs from us, that we may live according to His ways.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Ephesians 4:30

Verse of the Day Devotion: Ephesians 4:30 

“Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” – Ephesians 4:30     

I want to begin this discussion by illustrating the concept of grief.  First, we grieve when someone we love passes away.  This past January, I received a call from my aunt that my mother had died.  She had been ill for some time; however, it finally took its toll.  I had been separated from her for years, with her living in Washington State and myself residing on the U.S. east coast.  But our separation grew as she refused to talk with me: and it seems this was due to mental and physical issues that affected her behavior.  I flew up there for the funeral, and I learned that she had broken off communications with practically the entire family.  However, I was saddened by this, and it was nice to speak with family and old friends who comforted me.

However, there is a second type of grieving that can be just as difficult.  The best way to describe this is through an example.  A father is called down to the school by his son’s teacher.  She informs him that her son has become very unruly.  He steals from other students, and fights with many causing much injury to them.  He brings him home and tells him he is angry at him for all this bad behavior.  However, because he loves him so much, it hurts him so much to hear about all his son has done.  He is grieving over knowing who his son has become. 

This second example shows how we grieve the Holy Spirit.  I love the way Charles Spurgeon puts it, and I think this describes it wonderfully.  “for grief is a sweet combination of anger and of love. It is anger, but all the gall is taken from it. Love sweetens the anger, and turns the edge of it, not against the person, but against the offense.”  (From the Sermon “Grieving the Holy Spirit” by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, October 09, 1859).  God loves us so much that it grieves Him to see us acting in ways He has taught us not to engage in.  And just as the father loved his son, who did horrible things in school, did not reject him, neither will God reject us.  We may reject Him and walk away, but He will not reject us.   

Isaiah describes an example of this.  “For He said, “Surely, they are My people, Sons who will not deal falsely.” So He became their Savior. In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the angel of His presence saved them; In His love and in His mercy, He redeemed them, And He lifted them and carried them all the days of old. But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; Therefore, He turned Himself to become their enemy, He fought against them.” Isaiah 63:8-10.  God, who declared Israel his people saved them, and in His love, declared them His people.  But then they rebelled against Him, grieving the Holy Spirit.  After this, they remembered His mercy of old and they cried out to God.  “Look down from heaven and see from Your holy and glorious habitation: Where are Your zeal and Your mighty deeds? The stirrings of Your heart and Your compassion are restrained toward me.” Isaiah 63:15. And how did God answer?  “Thus says the LORD, “As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one says, ‘Do not destroy it, for there is benefit in it,’ So I will act on behalf of My servants in order not to destroy all of them.”  Isaiah 65:8 Those who remember and come back, God would act on their behalf.

When we purposefully act in ways that are found in Ephesians 4:25-29, we grieve the Holy Spirit, just as Israel did in the above example in Isaiah.  We must remember that because the Holy Spirit enters us at salvation, we are sealed by Him through the Holy Spirit.  “However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.” Romans 8:9 and because we have the Holy Spirit in us, we have the possibility of grieving Him.  However, He loves us so much, He will work to bring us back to the relationship we had before we grieved Him.  He has not rejected us, but if we do not repent and become who God has called us to be, we will have rejected Him.  I encourage you, and pray heartily for everyone including myself, that we give ourselves wholly and completely to God, desiring to be who He wants us to be, and committing to live a life of complete obedience to God.  This will help us be pleasing to God and refrain from grieving Him.  It is a beautiful way to live and honor the God who created us, loves us, and saved us so we can be with Him for all eternity.  What more could we possibly desire?

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Ephesians 4:29

Verse of the Day Devotion: Ephesians 4:29 

“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” – Ephesians 4:29     

In this verse, we see another area that Paul is telling the Church to avoid.  He calls them ‘unwholesome words.’  The word ‘unwholesome’ is the translation from the Greek word sapros which has the idea of words that are rotten, worthless (either literally or morally), bad, corrupt.  (From Strong’s Greek Concordance.) 

Some words that were acceptable in the past are not so now.  We need to be careful how we use older words where the meaning has either changed or has another meaning added to it.  As an example, think of the word “Tablet”.  It used to mean a flat piece of stone, clay or wood that has writing on it.  This definition still applies; however, a new meaning has been added to it, that being a general-purpose computer designed to be taken from place to place.  Another classic example of a word where its meaning has changed is found in a classic Christmas song, “Don we now our gay apparel”.  This word with its new definition will not have the same meaning to someone who is older.

We also must be careful that we do not speak in a way that can cause injury to a person’s name, fame, or the interest of another.  This includes gossiping or running down other people.  For instance, you see someone walking down the road and say things like, “Wow, he has no taste in clothing”, or “She is so ugly, no one would want her”. 

Now, these are just a couple of examples.  However, the general idea is we should not speak in any way that is obscene or anything that injures virtues, uplifts vices, or speaks negatively of anyone, including God.  Our speech should be full of grace and positivity.  “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” Colossians 4:6. 

Everything we say should always be said in a way the brings glory to God.  Any negative or profane words that come out from us, who are Christians and seen as such by others, will be looked at as hypocritical.  If we speak in an uplifting manner, never using words or phrases that can be interpreted as negative or profane, we can minister grace to those who hear us.  They will be encouraged and open to hearing the truth we speak about. 

If there is anything we are in the habit of saying that does not meet this criteria, then we need to pray that God will help us change the way we communicate with others.  The main thing is, as stated above, that everything we say should glorify God the Father, Christ His Son, and the Holy Spirit.  This will go far in helping our brothers and sister in Christ grow in the faith, and lead those who are not to see the reality of our faith and be open to accepting it.  Is this not our purpose here?  

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Ephesians 4:28

Verse of the Day Devotion: Ephesians 4:28 

“He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.” – Ephesians 4:28       

Paul now speaks in our focus verse regarding stealing.  Back in this time period within the pagan community, theft was a common practice, mostly because there were many who found it difficult to provide for themselves and their families.  This practice of pilfering was almost common practice back then.  No property was safe which was not guarded or locked up so that it was inaccessible.  Sounds like today in some ways. 

Now, we are not to believe that thievery was a common practice within the first century church.  However, since many converts were from the pagan communities, it is not surprising that Paul would spend time in preaching against the practice.  The first thing he tells them is that they must stop if they are still stealing.   He states this as a point of caution.  If someone has long been in the habit of practicing any sin, they are prone to falling back into it again.  As an example, think about the problem of excessive drinking.  Someone who was a practicing alcoholic in the past but now drinks no longer, has to be careful that he does not fall into this practice again.  The same can be said for people addicted to drugs, and as Paul talks about, stealing from others.

He then says that instead of stealing from others, seek the means of living in an honest manner.  In essence, find a way of getting what you need aside from by dishonest means.  They were to work hard so that you could themselves acquire legally what they need.  They need to give up taking from others that which they can get for themselves.  As he wrote to the church in Philippi, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19. We can always trust Him to meet our true needs.

And he ends this by stating when they go out and work, they are to share with those who are in need.  They are not just to think of themselves, but also think of others who need help in making ends meet.  I like the way the theologian Albert Barnes puts it.  Paraphrasing, he says “a considerable number of people cannot labor to support themselves due to being either too old or young, or they are crippled, sick or laid up in bed.  If those who are working do not share with them what they have, they very well could perish.  Based on this, we should desire, in our labors, to provide for their needs.” 

We, as Christians need to follow this verse.  We must not steal, in any form.  This means in regard to things, ideas, dignity, or any other way.  We should work to get what we need and want, not take with no remuneration.  And when we do work, let is take the opportunity to help those who are truly unable to work to address their needs.  This will help by not allowing them to fall into temptation to steal in order to take care of themselves and their family.  Meeting the needs of the needy is often more important than purchasing a new unnecessary item.  We would like help if we were in need. 

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Ephesians 4:26-27

Verse of the Day Devotion: Ephesians 4:26-27 

“Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger and give no opportunity to the devil.       

We all, I am sure, have been angry with a brother or sister in Christ.  It could be for various reasons, but we need to be careful how we react to these situations.  In reading this, Paul is not saying that anger is a sin, but it is our response that can be sinful.  Note the phrase, ‘be angry, and yet do not sin.’  Anger at sin is not wrong.  And displaying displeasure for a bad action is not sinful either.  We should be unhappy with actions or deeds that are not for the glory of God and the good of others.  However, we must be careful that we do not go beyond what is of a Godly manner.

This same idea is expressed in the psalms, where we read, “Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed and be still. Selah.” Psalm 4:4.  This is a writing by David in response to ungodly people who are acting against the way God desires.  “O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach? How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception? Selah. But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself; The LORD hears when I call to Him.” Psalm 4:2-3. This is probably referring to Absalom and his men, whom he calls ‘sons of men’ responding to their situation of human feelings and passions, far from how God would desire them to.  This could very well refer to David’s rank and the desire of them, in their rebellion, to rob him of his position as king and reduce him to a lowly position.  What David was telling them was, just as Paul said, be angry but do not sin.  If they think they have a cause to be angry, they should not let it carry them to rebellion against God and their king.  He was chosen as king by God, for them to rebel against him was to go against the will of God, which is sin.

We may disagree with someone about something, or we may not like what someone has done, but we must be careful how we respond.  Again, we can be angry, but it must not take us to a sinful response.  Unfortunately, we are not perfect, but we must not go to sleep angry.  If we do get angry with someone, we must address it quickly so that we do not carry it for days or more.  We should not go to sleep with any unkind or unchristian feelings.  We must go to God and pray that we can resolve it quickly,  If we allow the anger to fester, it may produce malice and revenge.  This prolonged temper cannot bring about peace of conscience or the approval of God. 

And lastly, we must not allow the devil to take this anger and use it for his purposes.  He will strive to influence us through our anger and irritation of spirit to take our mind off of the ways of God to address them via our own fallen desires.  He will work to get us to gossip and spread our anger to others and help us to feel somewhat better for the opportunity to tell others what someone did to us.  This is not good and will not end well.

Things are going to make us angry: we live in a fallen world and we are not perfect.  Again, anger in and of itself is not wrong.  It is our response that can bring us to sin.  However, we must understand that no one is perfect, not even ourselves.  I am sure I have made people angry for things I have said and done.  However, as we want people to be gracious with us when we wrong someone, we should do the same when other wrong us.  Remember what Jesus said, “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”  Matthew 7:12.  Do we want someone to be gracious to us when we slip up?  Then we need to be gracious to others when they do.  Make things right as soon as possible, then move forward and live as God desires.   

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Ephesians 4:25

Verse of the Day Devotion: Ephesians 4:25 

“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.” – Ephesians 4:25       

In this section of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, Paul is laying out how we are to live out this new life in Christ.  In the first verse in this chapter he writes, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3.  Paul is saying that because God has provided such an incredible and abundant salvation, we should walk according to our calling as children of God.  And to walk this way in all humility, gentleness, and patience: desiring to maintain unity in the body of Christ and not bring dissension and disunity. 

He then tells them that because they are Christians and have this new life, they should live as such.  “Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.” Ephesians 4:17.  These Christians are gentile converts.  They should no longer walk as they did formerly.  He then described this former life.  “They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.” Ephesians 4:18-19. They are to walk away from this life “and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:24. From verse 25 to the end of chapter 4, we see a list of attributes associated with this new life.  We will look at each of these, one a day, to examine what this life is. And the first is today’s focus verse, “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.” Ephesians 4:25.

We must eliminate all deceit from our conversations.  Lying is understood as the universal vice of the pagan world.  And because the Ephesians had recently been converted, this no doubt was a new concept for them.  It was important that they understood and accepted that lying is evil in order to enable change to happen.  Paul knew this and made it the first attribute in his list of this new life.  We must be completely honest with everyone, and if a difficult truth is necessary, be compassionate and loving as you present it.  Truth should always be the way we interact with others. 

The Lord spoke to Zechariah the Prophet regarding deceit and that they should not practice it at any time.  “These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the LORD.” Zechariah 8:16-17.  God hates deceit, and we should understand this and act accordingly.  We should not think telling a “little white lie” is acceptable in any way.  If you break a glass, say so.  If you lost something someone loaned you, admit it.  We should be honest regarding the value of something we sell, or any defects inherent in it.  And finally, we should never encourage anyone to be deceptive on our behalf.  Truth is truth, and anything other than truth is a falsehood.  Let us choose to be honest at all times, no matter the consequences it may bring us.  “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  If we want to be like Christ, than truth must become our way of life. 

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

2 Chronicles 7:14

Verse of the Day Devotion: 2 Chronicles 7:14 

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14       

This verse takes place upon the completion of the Temple by Solomon, after which God appears to him.  “Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD and the king’s house. All that Solomon had planned to do in the house of the LORD and in his own house he successfully accomplished.  Then the LORD appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice.” 2 Chronicles 7:11-12. 

At this point, God tells Solomon how they were to address difficult times due to wrongdoing.  We see this idea in verse 13 where God speaks of when national judgement comes.  “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people,”  2 Chronicles 7:13.  He would no doubt do these things only in order to bring His people back to the ways of righteousness.  Let us look at what this focus verse says and apply it to us when we go through hard times because we turn from God.

The first thing He says is who this verse applies to.  To those who are His.  Those who are called by His name.  In our time those are Christians.  They are the new Jerusalem, Gods people.  It is not speaking here to those who are not Christians.  Yes, they do need to come to Him, giving up their old lives and committing themselves to Christ.  However, this verse speaks to those who have already given themselves to Him. 

And now are we to approach Him when we stumble?  We are to go to Him in humility, humbling ourselves before Him.  We are to bow before Him, acknowledging we have sinned against Him, putting aside any pride or arrogance we may have, recognizing that it was us who decided to sin, no matter what came our way that led us in that direction.  The only two reasons we can honestly give is we either have not studied His Word to see it is wrong, or we choose to do wrong.  Therefore, we are to come to Him in humility understanding we are totally at fault.  Next, in our humility, we are to pray and seek His face.  We must go to Him and acknowledge what we have done and ask Him to forgive us.  And it must come from the depths of our being, not simply saying the words believing this will make things OK.  And we must commit to turn away from our wicked ways, truthfully working toward removing these evil ways from our lives. 

And when we do all this, with complete honesty from the depths of our heart, He will see this and hear our heart crying out to Him and will forgive us and heal whatever difficulties came forth from what we did.  It is important that we do not only go through the motions but truly are repentant and broken because of our sin.  When we do this, then God will truly forgive us and make us whole again.  So I encourage us all to go to Him when we realize we have sinned and humbly confess them to God in reality and humility.  God desires us to come before Him this way, and He will make good on this promise when we do.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Luke 17:1

Verse of the Day Devotion: Luke 17:1 

“And he said to his disciples, temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!” – Luke 17:1        

Jesus is speaking here to the disciples regarding temptation.  He is telling them that, because of the depravity of man, there will always be something that tempts us to sin.  It may come in the form of an illicit desire, an offense someone does against us, or simply in the calling of our flesh.  Such is the flesh that there will always be someone or something that attempts to make us sin.  Matthew writes that we must rid ourselves of anything that causes us to sin.  “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.” Matthew 5:29-30.  This is a difficult idea, but in essence it is saying that if anything causes us to sin, we must do what we can to remove it from our lives.

Now, this verse specifically addresses people who cause others to sin against God.  Therefore, in the process of eliminating all temptations from our lives, we may have to part ways with those who constantly work toward the goal of causing us to fall.  If they will not stop in their aberrant ways which causes us to desire things that constitute sinful behavior, whether that be in actions or thoughts, then we need to separate ourselves from them.  They are only attempting to counter the work of God in our Christian walk.  Satan is using them to cause God’s people to sin where possible. However, based on the next verse, God does not look favorably on this.  “But woe to the one through whom they (temptation) come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.” Luke 17:1b-2.  In other words, it would be better to die by drowning then to cause a Christian to sin.

It is important that we examine our lives also, as Christians, praying and asking God is there any way we may be causing our brothers and sisters to fall?  Do we wear immodest clothing when we go out?  Do we engage in improper conversations that may incite improper thoughts?  Or do we do things that are acceptable to us but may not be to some Christians?  “Therefore, let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil.” Romans 14:13-16.  If what we do, which we consider good, can cause a brother or sister to fall, then we must abstain from doing it.  And if there is any doubt, err on the side of caution and do not do it.  God will hold us accountable if we are the cause another Christian stumbling.  So, be careful and build up your brothers and sisters in the Lord and take no chance in tempting them to think or do something that they believe is wrong.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

John 13:34

Verse of the Day Devotion: John 13:34 

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” – John 13:34       

This verse starts out with an interesting phrase.  “A new commandment I give to you.”  In Leviticus, we see a similar phrase used, however, with a slight difference.  “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:18.  Notice the difference.  In this verse, God told them to ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’  In our focus verse, it says to ‘love one another, even as I loved you.’ 

Now, in both the Old and New Testaments, there are verses about loving our enemies.  In the book of Romans we read, “To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Romans 12:20. And there is a remarkably close verse found in Proverbs.  “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,” Proverbs 25:21.  There is no difference here between the two Testaments. 

But when speaking regarding the brethren, Jesus gives His disciples a new example to follow.  He tells them not to just love each other, but to love them as He loved them.  He gave this to them as He was about to leave and go back to His Father.  And as we see above, it was a new commandment because it referred to the love we as creatures have,  remember Leviticus 19:18 above.  It is because of the depth in which this love was to be exhibited.  They were to be willing to sacrifice all they had, including their very lives, for the sake of each other.  This is a depth of love hardly seen in the ranks of mankind.  This is much different than what is mentioned in the Mosaic law.  However, Jesus went far beyond the requirements listed in the law.  He did not just love them ‘AS’ He loved Himself, but far more than that.  For He came to earth knowing that He would die a horrible death, and one that would pay the penalty for the sins of mankind so they could be forgiven and spend eternity in the presence of Himself and the Father.  He paid the penalty of our sins because we were incapable of doing so.  This is love in its deepest and purist form. 

And this is the type of love He says we should have for each other.  And this is a far cry from a suggestion, it is a command, one that He requires of us.  And He has not required us to do anything He was not willing to do Himself.  This is a hard saying, but we also must be willing to sacrifice all, just as Jesus did.  Is this the love we have for our brothers and sisters?  We may not know until the sacrifice is required of us.  However, we should work to develop this love so that if the moment happens, we can be ready.  Let us pray and ask Him to make us more like Him.  As Peter so clearly said, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” 1 Peter 2:21

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Note:  If you would like to receive these devotions by email, go on our website under Additional Resources and click on True Devotion Ministries email subscription and fill out the form and send to us. 

If you would like to help us with our work, or have any questions for us, please send me an email at william@truedevotionmin.org. God Bless You.

Will You consider a donation today to help TDMI in our continuing work?  We will use it to continue the work of helping Christians understand the true Christian walk.  Any amount would be greatly appreciated. Click here to be routed to our donation page.

Proverbs 14:29

Verse of the Day Devotion: Proverbs 14:29  

“He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.” – Proverbs 14:29        

One thing I have definitely noticed during this difficult time is what this verse speaks of.  In watching what is happening, we see people punching and beating people in the streets.  We also see the destruction of public and private property, and also massive retaliation for what I deem as frivolous offenses.  Anger appears to be the most observed emotion today.  

Now, I understand that often these things happen simply because people just want to be destructive.  There are organizations whose  total purpose for being involved is to wreak havoc and fuel the hostilities of others.  However, there are many who are just angry in response to a wrong done to them, either physically or verbally.  And many times, anger at someone will often cause them to be angry in return.  And this is the main idea regarding this verse.  Solomon writes in our focus verse that we are to be slow to anger, because they are those who exhibit great understanding.  Matthew Henry in his commentary on Proverbs states that meekness is wisdom.  He goes on to say, “He rightly understands himself, and his duty and interest, the infirmities of human nature, and the constitution of human society, who is slow to anger, and knows how to excuse the faults of others as well as his own, how to adjourn his resentments, and moderate them, so as by no provocation to be put out of the possession of his own soul.”  What he is saying is that he is capable of keeping control of his thoughts and feelings and is not one to retaliate for another’s anger. 

Paul writes the following to the Ephesians.  “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3.  Uncontrolled anger is one of the biggest reasons for dis-unity.  It can also harden the hearts of the people we are witnessing the truth of Christ to.  James, understanding this wrote the following, “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20.  If we desire to show the righteousness of God in us, we must temper any times where we find ourselves getting angry.  If we cannot control our anger, we may find ourselves unable to do the work God has called us to do.

In closing, let us be careful that we maintain control in all situations so that our witness of Christ will remain intact and powerful.  At the end of our focus verse, Solomon states that a quick temper exalts folly.  He may be thinking that he is magnifying himself, however, the vast majority of the time, his folly is all that is exalted.  Let us all pray that we can remain in control of our emotions so that we can share the gospel and teach our brothers and sisters in a way that brings glory to Christ.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.