CAROLYN’S COMPOSITIONS
LENTEN STUDY: 7 DEADLY SINS
ANGER #1: BROTHERLY ANGER
MONTE W. HOLLAND
INTRODUCTION
The following study is a journey through Lent, the forty-day pre-Easter season (which excludes Sundays). Easter’s date, determined by the time of the first full moon after the Spring equinox, is very late this year.
Traditionally, many Christians use Lent for self-examination and a renewal of their commitment to their faith.
This year I chose to do a devotional study on aspects of the Seven Deadly Sins, sins identified by very early Christians as key behaviors separating man from God and God’s will. The seven sins are not listed together in the Bible—each is, however, spoken about in various Scripture sites.
THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS:
GREED, ENVY, ANGER, LUST, GLUTTONY, SLOTH and PRIDE.
THE ASPECTS OF THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS ARE:
#1 Breaking the Mosaic Law
#2 Defying God or rebelling against God
#3 Acts of violence to others
#4 Failing to make proper sacrifices or worship
#5 Not living up to or reflecting God’s glory (not living as one created in God’s image)
ANGER #1:
BROTHERLY ANGER
SCRIPTURE: 21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. 23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. 25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. (Matthew 5:21-26)
DEVOTION: Most of us, never having killed another human being, smugly lay aside Commandment Six.
Jesus says, “Not so fast!” His reflection on this Ten Commandment prohibition of murder brings it into our neighborhood. What we may see as the easiest commandment to keep all of a sudden becomes one of the most difficult.
There are few people that are cool as a cucumber all the time. It may only be a millisecond here and a millisecond there, but just about everybody rages inside a little when startled or provoked.
We have our methods. We ignore the comment to ignore confrontation. We change the subject in a conversation. We reply with a slight barb, but one that is much less offensive.
Raca, or Raka, in the Aramaic of the Talmad, means (more…)
Lenten Study: 7 Deadly Sins—Anger #1: Brotherly Anger
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CAROLYN’S COMPOSITIONS
LENTEN STUDY: 7 DEADLY SINS
ANGER #1: BROTHERLY ANGER
MONTE W. HOLLAND
INTRODUCTION
The following study is a journey through Lent, the forty-day pre-Easter season (which excludes Sundays). Easter’s date, determined by the time of the first full moon after the Spring equinox, is very late this year.
Traditionally, many Christians use Lent for self-examination and a renewal of their commitment to their faith.
This year I chose to do a devotional study on aspects of the Seven Deadly Sins, sins identified by very early Christians as key behaviors separating man from God and God’s will. The seven sins are not listed together in the Bible—each is, however, spoken about in various Scripture sites.
THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS:
GREED, ENVY, ANGER, LUST, GLUTTONY, SLOTH and PRIDE.
THE ASPECTS OF THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS ARE:
#1 Breaking the Mosaic Law
#2 Defying God or rebelling against God
#3 Acts of violence to others
#4 Failing to make proper sacrifices or worship
#5 Not living up to or reflecting God’s glory (not living as one created in God’s image)
ANGER #1:
BROTHERLY ANGER
SCRIPTURE: 21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. 23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. 25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. (Matthew 5:21-26)
DEVOTION: Most of us, never having killed another human being, smugly lay aside Commandment Six.
Jesus says, “Not so fast!” His reflection on this Ten Commandment prohibition of murder brings it into our neighborhood. What we may see as the easiest commandment to keep all of a sudden becomes one of the most difficult.
There are few people that are cool as a cucumber all the time. It may only be a millisecond here and a millisecond there, but just about everybody rages inside a little when startled or provoked.
We have our methods. We ignore the comment to ignore confrontation. We change the subject in a conversation. We reply with a slight barb, but one that is much less offensive.
Raca, or Raka, in the Aramaic of the Talmad, means (more…)