Understanding Anger and Hate

“God is angry with the wicked every day” (Psalm 7:11 KJV). “Ye that love the LORD, hate evil” (97:10). For the godly, anger is an emotional displeasure aroused by wrong, while hate is an intense dislike or hostility toward evil. It is right to be angry with wickedness attempting to control your conduct, and proper to hate evil finding its place in your heart. Bigotry and injustice can only occur when God is ignored. “Love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9 NET). LORD, establish within us a holy hatred of sin, a fervent anger against wickedness, and a zealous love of righteousness that we may be as You are. Amen and amen. 

Advice to Married Couples (Part 1)

“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3 KJV). Regardless of any differences of gifts, accomplishments, or attainments, marriage is primarily walking together in agreement. Marriage does not work unless both attempt to walk together in agreement. Sensitivity to the other’s gifts or deficiencies must not hinder the attempt to walk together side by side, for marriage is a together walk in agreement. When either the husband or wife has a struggle maintaining their part of the together walk, then each must be sensitive to the needs of the other. Marriages will be strengthened, when each sees the other’s needs as an opportunity to minister, support, and fortify their spouse. Only when action must be taken, where there is a difference, should the husband exercise the veto power of headship. “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and He [Christ] is the saviour of the body” (Ephesians 5:23 KJV). LORD, give us strong, Christian marriages in Your body. Amen. 

With Malice Toward None

“With charity toward all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nations wounds.” During the American Civil War, these were the words of President Abraham Lincoln in his March 4, 1865 Second Inaugural Address, about a month before Lee’s surrender at Appomattox and 41 days before his assassination. Charitable love must be the foundation of civilization and law, or we will descend into tyranny and despotism. “Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked Him a question, tempting Him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:35-40 KJV).