Topic: Right Character for Right Marriage [Part 4]
Dear Reader,
Every couple craves for a sweet home, but not every couple will experience it. There are works of the flesh working against every home. So, every couple that desires a sweet home should ask for the help of the Holy Spirit, in order to build a home free from strife and malice.
Today, we are going to identify one of the enemies of family success – Temper, and how couples can take grace to live above it.
Temper, according to Collins Cobuild English Dictionary, is the tendency that you have to become angry or to stay calm. It also says: “It is a state you are in when you are so angry that you cannot think clearly about what you are saying or doing.”
Anger is a natural emotion that one exhibits at a particular time. We all get angry at one time, but the difference between this and the work of the flesh is sin. That is why the scripture says: Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath (Ephesians 4:26). Here, the Bible warns that if you are angry, do not allow your anger to lead you to sin. Anger is a canker that has destroyed many marriages, and as a result renders many children hopeless. The Living Bible Version charges us thus: If you are angry, don’t sin by nursing your grudge. Don’t let the sun go down with you still angry get over it quickly. For when you are angry you give a might foothold to the devil.
If you allow your temperament to boil, you open the door to sin. If you get upset about the way your spouse reacts to certain things at times, do not explode and speak cruel words, which can cause irreparable damage. What makes you a mature individual, is your ability to control your emotions until your anger simmers down.
You don’t have to boil like a kettle of water on fire, just because your spouse expresses a different opinion. Sometimes you get angry and lose your temper and unseemly words pass your lips, just because your spouse advises that the action you are about to take is contrary to the Scripture.
Some spouses try to suppress anger. They get angry, but swallow it, pretending everything is all right, and plaster a smile on their faces. They are like hot bottles of coca-cola shaken. Once the lid is opened, the hot liquid rushes out in torrents. Bottling up anger is risky; it steals away the harmony in the home. Never give it a trial.
You can let out the steam by discussing the issue of the anger at the appropriate time. Call upon the Holy Spirit to help you keep your temper so that you can live a life of love, which “is not provoked” to anger. Anger is a killer. Simeon and Levi, who slew the men of Shechem because of their uncontrollable anger, got a horrible sentence: Simeon and Levi are brethren;…Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel (Genesis 49:5-7).
Anger must be dealt with, if you want to avoid the shame that division and scattering bring to a marriage. Anger puts an end to a sweet marriage faster than adultery or fornication. One may not kill physically, yet by anger or even silence, you can kill your spouse’s spirit. Watch it !
You do not solve family problem by strife. You need a nature when you want victory over anger, one which lives for Jesus Christ, controlled by the Holy Spirit, so that you can give yourselves to the Holy Ghost. When He possesses your home, He also possesses your tempers and keeps you from sinful anger.
Now, pray this prayer: “Lord, help me not to become angry without reason, but to be victorious by Your grace over all thoughtless anger and all bitterness, harmful to my family member and myself, in Jesus’ mighty name!”
Are you born-again? If you are not, you don’t have genuine access to operate the mind of Christ that can help you select a good companion (1 Corinthians 2:16). However, God’s grace of salvation is extending to you right now. If you desire to be born again, say this simple prayer in faith:
“Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today as a sinner. Forgive me of my Sins. I believe You died and rose on the third day for my sins. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”
If you prayed this simple prayer, you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).
Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name. Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, and conselling@faithoyedepo.org; OR 07026385437 and 08141320204.
For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores:
Marriage Covenant
Making Marriage Work
Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).
Click HERE to read other messages written by Pastor Faith Oyedepo
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