Last evening, I watched a message preached by one of my favorite YouTube pastors, Justin Peters. He had spoke on the murder of Charles Kirk. And it was very clear how angry he was about it.
It was the same kind of anger that I felt after I had learned who Charles Kirk had been.
It wasn't an anger of revenge as some seek after a horrific event has occurred.
But it was anger. Righteous anger.
Anger at the injustice of it. Of the audacity of it.
Who gives a man the right to take the life of an innocent man that was trying to make things better? Who was concerned not only for the people but especially the young people in this country.
He wasn't trying to push his beliefs on anyone. He was simply trying to get the message out that things can be better. He had hopes that people would accept what he was trying to say. But he didn't try to make you believe what he did.
And as we have seen over the past few days, many did. Many loved him. And many are angered that he was stolen from us.
I started out yesterday addressing what questions.org has to say about what the Bible says about anger. I am giving you the rest of that now
What Does the Bible Say About Anger?
(source: gotquestions.org)
We can handle anger biblically by communicating to solve the problem. There are four basic rules of communication shared in Ephesians 4:15, 25-32:
1) Be honest and speak (Ephesians 4:15, 25). People cannot read our minds. We must speak the truth in love.
2) Stay current (Ephesians 4:26-27). We must not allow what is bothering us to build up until we lose control. It is important to deal with what is bothering us before it reaches critical mass.
3) Attack the problem, not the person (Ephesians 4:29, 31). Along this line, we must remember the importance of keeping the volume of our voices low (Proverbs 15:1).
4) Act, don’t react (Ephesians 4:31-32). Because of our fallen nature, our first impulse is often a sinful one (v. 31). The time spent in “counting to ten” should be used to reflect upon the godly way to respond (v. 32) and to remind ourselves how the energy anger provides should be used to solve problems and not create bigger ones.
At times we can handle anger preemptively by putting up stricter boundaries. We are told to be discerning (1 Corinthians 2:15-16; Matthew 10:16). We need not "cast our pearls before swine" (Matthew 7:6). Sometimes our anger leads us to recognize that certain people are unsafe for us. We can still forgive them, but we may choose not to re-enter the relationship.
Finally, we must act to solve our part of the problem (Romans 12:18). We cannot control how others act or respond, but we can make the changes that need to be made on our part. Overcoming a temper is not accomplished overnight. But through prayer, Bible study, and reliance upon God’s Holy Spirit, ungodly anger can be overcome. We may have allowed anger to become entrenched in our lives by habitual practice, but we can also practice responding correctly until that, too, becomes a habit and God is glorified in our response.
(Note: for more info on this study, go to gotquestions.org)\
It's true. We cannot control other people in how they react or respond to things.
We can try to tell others how we believe. But we should never use violence in order to make someone do something we want them to. And I do not believe hounding people with our beliefs is right to do either. That just tends to turn them away from us.
Or use it to scare people.
And it seems that what the killer in this case was trying to do.
Was his murder a professional hit?
I don't know. And that may or may come out in the days ahead.
But whatever it was, it was evil.
And at the same time, it wasn't as successful as some people had hoped for.
Because in the end, tbe intended outcome isn't up to any human being on this earth.
It is up to God.
Because He has already and will continue to work it for our good.
So yes, there were many that felt the righteousness anger about it.
But we also don't seek revenge.
We have a more powerful weapon in our arsenal.
One of love and hope.
And God.
And of prayer for those that commited this murder.
And I believe that Charles Kirk himself would be happy about that as he waits in heaven for his family to join him there.
Thanks for coming by Friends.
May peace be with you today and always.
God Bless
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