Turning Anger Into Love

Sermon Reflections from Turning Anger into Love | Damon Hopkins | March 17,2024

I love to hear Damon speak as he always speaks from experience and a heart in tune with God. Like Pastor Alex when he began this series, he began with an experience of anger and its consequences. Damon’s experience was an anger or dislike of a person based on something he could not readily identify. The dislike or hatred grew each time he was with this person. Being in tune with the Holy Spirit within him, his spirit was agitated as his feelings did not line up with what he felt a Christian should feel. Damon turned to God and asked him to reveal the source of this dislike and turn it to good. Over time, Damon learned to love and appreciate this individual because God led and he listened. The Holy Spirit can and will do a mighty work within us moving, changing, refining, and molding our character so that we can better reflect our Lord Jesus.

Damon has gleaned 3 principles about anger that he shared with us.

Our battles are not against flesh and blood . Scripture teaches us this in Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” We cannot see Satan at work but we can feel him and he is felt and known by the Holy Spirit that indwells us. One of my favorite stories in the Old Testament is when Elisha as being pursued by a king and his servant came to tell him that they were surrounded. He is Elisha’s rely: “When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” Like Elisha we do not need to be afraid because our God is greater than any forces of evil and He promises to be with us and never leave us for forsake us. 

Pay attention to what is going on inside you. Solomon gave similar advice in Proverbs 2:9-11 “Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; 10 for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; 11 discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you,” God promises to give us what we need if we will listen to Him and follow His guidance. Jesus told us in John 16:3 to do exactly what Damon said, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.’ God’s Holy Spirit that indwells you will be your guide if you will but listen. 

Anger, even righteous anger does not justify unrighteous responses. James directly addresses this issue. James 1:19-21 “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” Damon urged us to be ready listeners and slow to speak and anger. Knowing that angry responses are a foothold for the devil, one must proceed with caution and listen to the Lord.
It was truly a pleasure to have Damon back to speak to us. He is a walking miracle and brings God’s light whenever and wherever he speaks.

Thanks Damon for your heartfelt words of wisdom from Gods’ Word.
Linda

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