PEACEFUL LOVE

I Corinthians 13.4-8

“love… is not easily angered”

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails ...  1 Corinthians 13:4-8

In the first month the whole Israelite community arrived at the Desert of Zin, and they stayed at Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried. Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. They quarreled with Moses and said, "If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the LORD! Why did you bring the LORD's community into this desert, that we and our livestock should die here? Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!" Numbers 20.1-5

"Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink."  Numbers 20.8

 We say things we shouldn’t say.

… Moses said to them, "Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?"  Numbers 20.10

By the waters of Meribah they angered the LORD, and trouble came to Moses because of them; for they rebelled against the Spirit of God, and rash words came from Moses' lips. Psalm 106.32-33

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. Matthew 5.22

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Ephesians 4.29-31

We do things we shouldn’t do.

Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff...

Numbers 20.11

Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. Ecclesiastes 7.9

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. Proverb 29.11

A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated. Proverb 14.17

...“Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”  Numbers 20.12

Uncontrolled anger comes from a lack of trust in God.

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight... James 4.1-2

Uncontrolled anger dishonors Christ.

My dear brothers, take not of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.  James 1.19-20

Uncontrolled anger will cause you to miss God’s blessing.

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love … Ephesians 5.1-2