Summary:

A continuation of our series in the book of Amos

Detail:

11 Thus says the LORD: “For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because he pursued his brother with the sword and cast off all pity, and his anger tore perpetually, and he kept his wrath forever. 12 So I will send a fire upon Teman, and it shall devour the strongholds of Bozrah.”

Devotional

Anger and bitterness is a dangerous weapon, and a dangerous way to live your life. Many of us have been harmed or wronged by someone, and many of us still hold massive grudges, seething in anger and bitterness toward others, and when we get our chance we tear them apart. Whether or not it is with the sword, or the tongue, it is just as damaging. In our passage this anger results in mass destruction and a cruel use of the sword. The fact is the same things that start fights in a middle school, is the same things that starts wars and genocidal actions in adulthood. Our pride, anger and bitterness often results in damaging actions for those that we try to destroy and for ourselves.

Questions

In what way is our anger the cause of schoolboy fights and wars? (See James 4)

What should we do with our anger and bitterness when we feel wronged?

Why is anger and bitterness so damaging?