INTRODUCTION

When speaking of anger, the scripture uses descriptive terms that could equally apply to fire. In doing so, the Bible makes a connection that can help believers gain a better understanding of the benefits or dangers of anger. According to scripture anger can be kindled , a term used to describe the starting of a fire (Exodus 4:14And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.
See All...; Numbers 11:1And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.
See All...; Deuteronomy 32:22For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.
See All...; Jeremiah 15:14And I will make thee to pass with thine enemies into a land which thou knowest not: for a fire is kindled in mine anger, which shall burn upon you.
See All...), either a little (Psalm 2:12Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
See All...) or greatly (Numbers 11:10Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased.
See All...; 1 Samuel 11:6And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.
See All...). In Exodus 32:19And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.
See All..., the Bible describes anger as waxing hot, yet another connection to fire. This comparison is no accident. As it is with fire, anger can be useful and productive, but it can likewise be destructive and harmful.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) God's fiery anger was kindled many times against His own people (Numbers 21:5-6 [5] And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. [6] And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
  See All...; Numbers 25:2-3 [2] And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. [3] And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.
  See All...; Numbers 32:10-13 [10] And the LORD's anger was kindled the same time, and he sware, saying, [11] Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed me: [12] Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the LORD. [13] And the LORD's anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the LORD, was consumed.
  See All...). His anger proved harmful to them, but, hopefully, can be useful to us if we are willing to learn from it (1 Corinthians 10:5-11 [5] But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. [6] Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. [7] Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. [8] Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. [9] Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. [10] Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. [11] Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
  See All...).
• Do you frequently grow angry? How does your anger affect others? What is usually the outcome of your anger? Do things get fixed or grow increasingly worse?
• What are some ways in which you think anger might be like unto fire? Are there any benefits of fire or of anger? What are the dangers of fire and anger?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord for a scriptural balance when it comes to anger.
• Ask God to guard you from the dangers of anger.

HYMN

His Way With Thee

LTB DEVOTIONS ON FACEBOOK

Receive the daily devotions on your facebook wall by clicking "Like" on http://www.facebook.com/kingjamesbibledailydevotions.