“Bear With You” by Trip Lee, ft. Tedashii from the album “Between Two Worlds.”
Works of the Flesh Part 7: Wrath
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal 5:19-21 (KJV)
The Bible has much to say about wrath. What does the Bible mean when it mentions wrath as one of the works of the flesh? In this passage, the word wrath was translated from the Greek word thymos (Phonetic Pronunciation: thoo-mos’), meaning “passion (as if breathing hard) :- fierceness, indignation, wrath.” “What’s wrong with that?” you say. “That doesn’t sound so bad.” But when you look further, there is more to the meaning. The word thymos comes from another word “thyō” (Phonetic Pronunciation:thoo’-o) meaning “to rush (breathe hard, blow, smoke), i.e. (by implication) to sacrifice (properly by fire, but genitive); by extension to immolate (slaughter for any purpose) :- kill, (do) sacrifice, slay.” Now the danger is clear. Wrath as it is mentioned here has murderous intent embedded within it.
Wrath, from the Seven Deadly Sins. By Jacob Matham. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
“What about the wrath of God?” you ask. That’s a good question. When reading the Bible, remember that many English words in the Bible are translated from Greek and Hebrew words that have nuances and meanings that English does not capture. Also, the same word in English may have been translated from words that are different in their original language. For instance, the word “wrath” in the following verse that talks about the wrath of God is different.
“And Moses besought the Lord his God, and said, Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?” Ex 32:11 (KJV)
Here the word wrath is translated from the Hebrew word ʾap (Phonetic pronunciation: af). It also has the concept of breathing hard, but it also means long-suffering, and does not have the murderous intent associated with it. Looking at the original word meanings when studying the Bible may be tedious, but remember, Bible study is just that: study. That means that it takes time and searching to build a solid understanding. Having a solid understanding makes it difficult for others to deceive you: and there are many in this world (even some pastors) who work hard to deceive you.
The Bible advises us to steer clear of wrath, because wrath is a dangerous emotion that positions the mind and heart to become judge and executioner. Perhaps this is what lawmakers have in mind when they speak of “crimes of passion.” Regarding wrath, the Bible tells us that being wrathful is part of human nature: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (Ephesians 2:3)
Wrath gives the devil a leg up on your life: (Ephesians 4:26-27
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.)
Getting rid of wrath should be part of our overall emotional housekeeping: (Ephesians 4:31
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:)
Wrath is one of the building blocks for unrighteousness: (James 1: 19-20 says: Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.)
The call is plain. Wrath is a part of the old nature that we as Christians have been saved from. We should avoid wrath, and when it raises it’s head, we are to get rid of it before sunset. To hold on to wrath is to allow the devil to wreak havoc in our lives. Using wrath as a means to accomplish anything is not the will of God for our lives. By the power of the Holy Spirit may we all be delivered from wrath today.
Until next time: Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might!
Your friend in Christ,
Verneda
Twitter handle: @vlights
© 2012 Verneda Lights. All Rights Reserved.
Related articles
- Works of the Flesh Part 6: Emulations (e-graphx.com)
- So You Love Strife? Not a Good Choice. (e-graphx.com)
- Works of the Flesh Part IV: About Hatred (e-graphx.com)
- Works of the Flesh Part 3 (e-graphx.com)
- Works of the Flesh: Part II (e-graphx.com)
- March 13 – Anger Danger: Losing Control (lelandfleming.wordpress.com)
