4/14/18
6b. PERFECT PEACE FOR THE CHRISTIAN
YOU WILL KEEP IN PERFECT PEACE, HIM WHOSE MIND IS STEADFAST, BECAUSE HE TRUSTS IN GOD—ISAIAH 26:3
There is no FEAR in love. But perfect love drives out FEAR, because FEAR has to do with punishment. The one who FEARS is not made perfect in love. I Jn 4:18
Just how do I keep my mind STEADFAST?
By Dr. Earl Parvin, 160 Tolbert Farm Rd., Beckley, WV 25801
304.256.0596, earlparv@wvconnect.com
Mind control or mind-set is the subject of many dissertations and quasi-religious exercises. For instance, in Beijing, China, ‘Tiananmen’ Square means: “Gate of Heavenly Peace. No one remembers any ‘peace’, heavenly or not, just murder about that square. Just where do we begin? Consider God’s injunction, let not the sun go down while you are still angry, Eph 4:26. Just what does this mean? That’s easy, just live one day at a time and don’t let today’s problems reach back and dredge up yesterday’s concerns or “worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” Matt. 6:34. BUT, alas, how do I accomplish that? The problems of life tend to stay with you and don’t go away easily.
As we begin this study, please note in Eph. 4:26 quoted above, it first says, “In your anger, do not sin”. There are two commands in this verse. Be angered [imperative mode, passive voice] by some situation, BUT, sin not [imperative mode]. The identical verse is quoted from Psalm 4:4. The writers are indicating to us, that anger in itself is not sinful. Anger is a God-given protective device, such as FEAR, which prepares the body to fight or flee. However, a constant state of heightened readiness is self-destructive. There is no Scriptural license to live in a state of anger or FEAR!
In fact, James says, “Everyone should be slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth…” James 1:19-21. Matthew warns, “anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment” 5:22.
What is it that God was actually saying in the verse, “let not the sun go down while you are still angry?” Why is it important to live in 24 hour blocks of time, and complete each day with short accounts with oneself and God? Studies show that anger is an insidious enemy. It is a silent killer, like diabetes, cholesterol, a high fat diet or being a couch potato. Why is it indeed, so deadly?
Anger is accumulative. Today’s anger may not seem too important, and we may think it is soon forgotten. However, stealthily, and without realization, it becomes seriously etched in the memory, and it will be dredged-up tomorrow and on and on for days, until the smallest anger later, may invoke a massive response, totally out of proportion to the current situation. Perhaps road rage may be an illustration of an irresponsible response to what should have been a minor irritation. It can be the tragic result of compound angers, seemingly forgotten.
Anger is destructive. Anger is always focused, potentially in three directions. Those directions may include, 1. toward the irritating situation, 2. toward oneself, and 3. for the Christian, toward God, whom we reason, could have kept the situation from happening; therefore, He is potentially guilty. One must realize that anger focused outward, on some situation or person, is not indeed hurting that other one or ones. They may or may not even be aware that you were irritated or hurt. Recognize that it is your blood pressure, adrenalin and temperature, which are elevated. Not theirs. Remember a wise saying: “The acid of hate or anger, eats the container!” The reality is that anger is always focused inward, even though the Evil One will deceive you into thinking that anger is focused otherwise.
Anger can be learned by association. In the Proverbs we read,
“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared”, Prov. 22:24-25.
Unresolved anger often leads to clinical depression [versus cosmetic]. Anger is a serious drain on one’s emotional energy. In seeking to understand this principle, try to visualize your supply of emotional energy, as it if were the gas in the tank on the car. When the needle on the gas gauge moves into the red zone, the warning light comes on and the warning bell rings, it is expedient to get to a gas station, post haste. In a similar vein, when the body runs low on emotional energy, the body and mind tend to shut down, trying to conserve what little emotional energy is left. Using an example from computereze, this condition is much like the sleeping mode on a laptop. It shuts down the system to a bare minimum, to conserve battery life. This is what the body is seeking to do in depression, conserve emotional energy. Anger zaps the energy and the person becomes lethargic, finds it difficult to make normal decisions or to function in ordinary routine tasks. The person usually withdraws from family and friends and becomes reclusive. Why? Relationships demand emotional energy. Some demand more than others. The Christian usually neglects personal devotions and fails to worship God, often blaming God for whatever unresolved angers are feeding the depression.
When a person runs dangerously low on emotional energy, there is extreme danger of the person committing suicide, especially those who are subject to bipolar or manic-depressive mood swings. These are serious periods of great elation, followed by bouts of dark days of deep discouragement. We all have our highs and lows, but these are ‘out of control’ behavior swings in depression.
Tragically, there is no warning light or bells, indicating ‘low emotional energy’, proceed to the nearest source for a fill-up of emotional energy! Or, try to find out what has happened to my supply of emotional energy? There are, however, signs of impending depression, which we are seldom taught or warned about, such as: giving away prized possessions, unshakable bouts of crippling anxiety, incessant feelings of discouragement, a radical change in sleeping or eating habits, finding it difficult to make normal decisions, turning to and abusing alcohol or drugs, unshakable unhappiness, confusion, withdrawing from or neglecting friends and loved ones. Thus, there is a turning away from the very ones who could give the most encouragement, family, friends and pastor. There is often a sense of sadness about the person, sometimes displayed in a sad-affect on the face, as with Cain in Gen. 4:7.
Many times the road back from depression, is to resolve the angers, practice a forgiving spirit, restore relationships, especially with God, re-instituting personal devotions which often languish, listening to good, old-fashioned, soothing, Gospel music and regular church attendance.
One of the most difficult tasks in resolving anger is the willingness to forgive. The Devil’s argument goes like this: They are guilty and I have every right to be angry. I will never forgive them, until they apologize, and even then, I will never forget. Consider how irrational that is! Your anger is not hurting them one bit. What value is there then in your anger? Absolutely none, but yet, there is the Devil inspired desire to grovel in it . In fact it is destroying you and violating God’s published principles…
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord—Ro. 12:17-19
Your anger is in effect, repaying evil for evil. It is in essence, taking vengeance on the guilty, in your mind that is, but is in fact not hurting them. Seeking revenge is in reality, not living at peace with everyone, as God demands of the Christian. It is also seeking to do what only God can effectively do, and promises to do, for God says that vengeance is His domain. For you, not forgiving then, is sin. It does not resolve anger, but enhances and deepens it.
Forgiving those who despitefully use you, is commanded by God—
Mt 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which persecute you,
Lu 6:28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which mistreat you.
Notice, you are not only to forgive, but also to pray for them…How can you faithfully pray for someone you haven’t forgiven? You could pray an imprecatory prayer for them, mind you, but that is a form of vengeance, asking God to punch their lights out for you. Leave that to God.
Learning to love your enemy is a Christian virtue. How do I love someone who has used me? It is done, by following God’s command. You forgive. Then you love them to Christ. Love is a powerful motivator as expressed by Paul to the Corinthians:
And now I show you the most excellent way. Love is patient, kind, does not envy, does not boast, not proud, not rude, not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs, always trusts, hopes, PERSEVERES’ I Corinthians 13:1-7.
Wow, what a pattern the apostle has established. If the Christian will grow in AGAPE [Christian] love, it can help in any anger problem! It also helps to keep short accounts with God, by keeping no record of wrongs! Ah, to grow in AGAPE LOVE. That is the love that God has toward the sinner. He forgives the wrongs done to HIM.
Asking God to forgive one’s anger toward Him, for the Christian, is most humiliating. In fact, many go into denial that they are effectively angry at God. It may take some time for contemplation on one’s part, to ask God if I am indeed angry at Him. He will make it clear, and very quickly, for He wants healing far more than you do. Remember, anger toward God, for allowing something to happen, is a default position for the Christian. After all, the Christian is serving God and depends upon His protection for survival in this Post-Christian age. Why did He not protect His servant…me?
The final and most difficult act of forgiveness is FORGIVING ONESELF. This is where you live! This is bed-rock. It doesn’t get any more personal than this. You castigate yourself with, How could I have done such a stupid thing? Why didn’t I see this coming? If only…and so on and on, go the Devil’s arguments. Remember, he, the Devil, does not want you to be victorious. When you are victorious you can be a witnessing Christian, who has personal, meaningful, and daily devotions with the Lord. In defeat, most of this becomes inactive. The Devil is actively seeking to ensnare the believer, consider…
Your enemy the devil prowls around…looking for someone to devour [trap]. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…God Himself will restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.—I Peter 5:8-10 What a wonderful promise, but…
How do I accomplish this act of forgiving? Peter suggests:
Clothe yourself with humility…because God gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves; therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time—James 4:10. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert.—I Peter 5:6-7 Let us be reminded that the default attitude of the Adamic Nature is to be proud, not humble. We like to be self-sufficient. Humility is a grace—
I Peter 5:5, James 4:6, Proverbs 3:34.
You must master sin [debilitating anger]: God speaking to Cain whose offering was rejected, said…
Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? [‘sad affect]. If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it—Genesis 4:7.
Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Job 11:7. If you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear, you will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning, you will be secure, because there is hope—Job 11:14-18.
Mastering anger is a two-fold task—you and God. You must faithfully label debilitating anger sin, for God does not remove anger, God removes sin. Anger labeled sin, will indeed be removed. God has a perfect forgetter, He remembers it no more:
Jer 31:34 I will remember their sin no more.
Heb 8:12 their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
Heb 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more
Mastering anger requires understanding about how memory operates. Note that sin confessed is gone. Then, why am I plagued with continuing memory of that anger? There is more than one reason why memories of angers confessed return to haunt. One, there is residual memory in the brain, sometimes triggered. Two, anger is habit forming. There is something addictive about anger; therefore, the brain finds it easy to return to that which has been deeply etched. Three, Satan reminds and confuses. Recall that the original anger has now been confessed; therefore, it is no longer active. It has been removed. However, the Devil will insist, when something triggers memory, that the anger has not been sincerely confessed or removed. Else, why is it still haunting you? One must remind oneself that the verses quoted above indicate that God has forgotten our sins and that we “should no longer feel guilty for our sins”—Heb. 10:2, for God “cleanses our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God”—Heb. 9:14.
Now the problem is a new sin plaguing me. The act of the original anger has already been confessed and removed. The memory, whether from: residual memory, a triggering situation, or a reminder by Satan, who does not want you free from anger, must now be labeled sin. The painful memory is a sin? YES, remembering controlling anger and thinking about it endlessly or punitively, is taking one’s mind off of Jesus and focusing on evil; therefore, sinful. Remember, God only removes that which we label sin. Do you want to be free from haunting, controlling memories of sin? Of course; therefore, every time the controlling memory returns, it is a new sin to be confessed. What does God do with confessed sin? Of course, how could I forget. Thus, Christians can become free of haunting, defeating memories of sins confessed. By faithfully labeling evil memories as sin and confessing them, the memories will begin to die a natural death and become less and less active in the mind of the believer, and ultimately no longer be a factor of defeat. The way to break a habit, is to replace it with a new habit. Paul told the Romans to ‘be persistent in doing good’. Persistence is the operative word here—Romans 2:7 Try it, you will discover that He does keep one in perfect peace, whose mind is steadfast, trusting in God.
Removal of the haunting pain, anguish or despair of personal sin already confessed and forgiven, or assumed guilt from abuse inflicted by other’s sins from life’s often horrendous experiences, is one of the blessings of exercising the forgiving grace of God. The pain can stop because…
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us…and we know that we have what we asked of him—I Jn 5:14-15
Let us return to the emotional tank we all have. As a baby, the emotional tank is filled by primarily the relationship with the mother. That relationship and filling began in the womb and is nourished best by the closeness, warmth and love from breast feeding and a happy home environment. The father soon becomes a major source as well as others in the caring home. As the infant matures, others outside the home become positive sources of emotional energy, including the Pastor of a friendly, Gospel preaching church, school teachers and close friends. The importance of good, soothing, Gospel music should not be overlooked.
Soon a soul-saving relationship with God, who should be our best friend, becomes a major source of emotional energy. The tragedy is, that we are never taught that God should be our primary source of emotional energy. We are correctly taught to have a spiritual relationship with God, but we also need an emotional-energy filling relationship as well. A great relationship with God through Bible reading, memorization, prayer, faithful church attendance, growth in grace through sound doctrinal teaching, and making solid Christian friends, become a huge pipeline for emotional energy. Christ becomes our real, always accessible, ‘emotional-energy station’ for regular refills.
In marriage, the spouse should be another important source. A happy home, with a good relationship with the children is another source. The more sources the better, but the primary one with God is the most vital, for if all others fail, God never fails!
Now, it does not take a rocket scientist to realize that there are emotional drains on this tank. Everything we do, demands emotional energy. Even those things, which provide emotional energy, make some demands also. Now, factor in tragically difficult circumstances. Consider the infant unfortunate enough to born into a situation where he is not wanted or loved. Or where only one parent wants the child or abuses it. Or suppose divorce disrupts what should be a loving home and where drugs/alcohol feed already frayed nerves with contempt. That scenario disrupts the sources of emotional energy, turning them into terrible drains on already meager resources, gouging gaping holes in the tank.
Return now to the problem of anger and realize that unresolved anger becomes a major drain on emotional resources. As the tank empties and additional sources are shut down or avoided, the situation becomes progressively worse and critical over the long haul, draining other essential chemicals in the brain, necessary for adequate functioning. It is absolutely necessary to handle today’s angers, TODAY. And, God never tires of His children coming to Him for regular refills of emotional energy. “Let not the sun go down”… until accounting with God!
CONCLUSION: God will indeed, keep in PERFECT PEACE [a continuing state of peace or absence of debilitating, controlling, evil thoughts], those who keep close, daily accounts with God, walk in His paths, live by His guidelines, which in reality, shows a lifestyle of TRUST in God. The Christian life is a marriage partnership. We must do our part and He, without question, will do His.
Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Mt 11:28
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness”“ Eph. 4:22-4
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” II Cor. 12:9
JUST DO IT! YOU HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE & POWER FROM HIM TO SUCCEED IN YOUR QUEST FOR VICTORY.
5 September 2003
Revised 3 April 2009
Again 3/2/18