Last month we talked about developing habits in our lives that will lead us towards a life of holiness. I firmly believe that we need to learn how to walk in the liberty of the Holy Spirit. I know it isn’t easy, but as servants of God who live in a fallen world, we need to walk in holiness and then teach this generation of believers how they can walk and live in the freedom the Spirit offers them.

I remember a story I heard about a soldier called, Alexander, who was found sleeping while on guard. They brought him to the great leader and conqueror Alexander the Great. He proceeded to ask the soldier “what is your name?” “Alexander” he replied. Alexander the Great then responded “change your name or change your actions.” If we are to call ourselves “Christians”, then we need to make sure that our actions reflect our name. We need to show people what it is really like to walk in the liberty that Christ gave us.

Ted Roberts, in his book, “Desire to be Pure”, speaking about how to conquer sexual addictions, wrote about the sequence necessary for inner transformation.

The world thinks: A change of feeling =change of thoughts= change of conduct.

But something Mr. Roberts wrote caught my attention, and I think the truth is that if you really want to change your way of thinking, thus change your addictive actions, you need to do just the opposite of what many of us believe to be true.

Ted Roberts thinks: Change your conduct = a change of thoughts = a change in
feeling.

It is only after God transforms our conduct, can we begin to see a change in our thought patterns and feelings. This is a key how to live in total freedom. The dysfunctional family, personal trauma and an addictive society have enslaved many people emotionally, sexually and to addictive substances, but the gospel of Jesus Christ sets people free! We need to believe the word of God and walk in the freedom Christ offers us. There is power in prayer to change our actions! Let’s walk in total freedom, it is only then that we can help liberate others in captivity.

Free in Christ,

Rocco DiTrolio

“For as churning the milk produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood,
so stirring up anger produces strife.” Proverbs 30:33

Watch out that you don’t become an angry person! Churning up milk to make butter can be compared with anger, because anger, if churned, can lead to arguments. We must do away with fermenting or generating anger in our life, all the while knowing that we will always be confronted with things that can produce anger in us. It troubles me to see so many young people, who will represent a new generation of adults, who are full of anger.
It seems at times as though I find myself confronted with people who seem to be angry with the whole world. It is almost as if they love to generate, propagate and instigate conflict. Each one of us needs to get to the cause of our anger if we want to be free from it. If not, anger will become a constant companion for you. It will rear its ugly head in your family life, your work, your marriage and even in your church.

So what are the causes for anger?

1. Frustration. False expectations or unmet expectations.
2. Painful experiences from your past.

If we don’t find out what is the cause of our anger, anger can and will destroy our lives. Look at what our verse in Proverbs tells us; “…and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife.” There are a lot of relationships out there that are literally bleeding to death because of the effects of anger. Each of us needs to ask the Lord to help us eliminate anger from our hearts. Only the Lord can help us change our temperament and take control of this area of our lives. I believe that it is the desire of God to free this generation from the toxic effects of anger.

Look at what David tells us in Psalms 37:8; “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret, it leads only to evil.” The Psalmist talks about refraining and abandoning anger. It doesn’t say you can be angry just a little or that it’s ok to get angry now and then. When dealing with anger you need to take it out from the root.

My prayer is that the Lord would free us from the things that can destroy us. Anger is one of those things, if left unchecked, it will destroy you. We all need to ask the Lord to help us free ourselves from becoming slaves to anger. Proverbs 15:1 tells us, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Be careful that your tongue doesn’t generate anger! Lets each of us ask the Lord to help us eliminate anger and those things that cause conflict. It is a difficult task for sure, but I know that God wants each of us to live in harmony not only with him, but with those around us.

Are you ready to take the challenge? Do everything possible to live your life anger-free!