Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind). Ephesians 4:31 (AMP)
Mercy sakes, the Amplified Bible lays it all out. What a list. Each of these attributes or actions conveys an inner caldron boiling, seething. Like a dragon that’s had a bad day, better steer clear of someone manifesting these traits. What a contrast to the first part of this chapter: "walk worthy of the calling... with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
The Apostle Paul was all too aware of the tendency of humans, even saved ones, to stuff and seethe. When we ponder points that poke our pride, we start getting irritated. Irritation brews into swamp gas that is easily ignited. With help from the peanut gallery (the accuser), we can get quite a case in our defense. Without the acid-reducer of mercy, flames begin to dance on the inside. Woe be to the one who trips over our last, frayed nerve.
The writer of Hebrews, knowing that our cross-country race will be fraught with all manner of traps, irritations and dragons, cautions us to use a fire extinguisher: "For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart," Heb. 12:3 NASB). Jesus calmed the "issues" by focusing on the Father’s joy (v.2). Whatever it is, we must consider something other than the fire-producing dragon issues. Everything our text lists relates back to an out of joint attitude – bruised ego. So surrender your ego to Gal. 2:20! Offer the sacrifice of praise (Heb. 13:15). Be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18).
Bruce Montroy
