Just a Little Lizard

“And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry.”

─ Ephesians 4:26-27 NLT

“There’s a lizard in the house!” Katy shrieked.

“How’d a lizard get into the house?” her mother, Debbie shouted from the office where she was trying to work.

“Someone left the back door open again,” Christopher complained.

The three began to chase the lizard calling out to one another and becoming angrier by the minute. Their emotions rose, each blaming the other for leaving the door open. “Why’d you let it get past you?” Christopher yelled, when his sister screamed and let the intruder pass through.

Frustrated, and unable to capture the creature, Debbie gave up and started dinner. When the kids came to the table still angry at each other, she felt defeated, the evening had been ruined by a dreadful little lizard.

Our verse today says, “But don’t let the passion of your emotions lead you to sin! Don’t let anger control you or be fuel for revenge, not for even a day. Don’t give the slanderous accuser, the Devil, an opportunity to manipulate you” (Ephesians 4:26-27 TPT).

It’s so important to handle anger appropriately. Like the little lizard that slipped into the house when the door was left open, the devil also sneaks in when our emotions run rampant. He then takes advantage of us, throwing fire on the flame as we spew careless and hurtful words of anger at one another, damaging and even destroying relationships. If we hold in our anger, it can become self destructive, causing us to poison ourselves from within.

Refuse to give the devil access. Keep the door closed to him by expressing your feelings in a healthy way, letting others know how you feel when your emotional temperature comes down.

Today’s One Thing

Are you angry with someone right now? While it’s important to resolve things with that person, God is ready and willing to help. Talk to God first. Ask Him for the best way to approach the person. Ask Him to go before you and prepare the other person’s heart. Expect Him to help you choose words that speak the truth, filtered through His love.

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