Beyond the Weekend

September 13 | Wrong Thing

September 13, 2022

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

My dear brothers and sister, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20

Read: James 1:19–20
Listen: 
James 1

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Jesus shows great emotion and anger when he clears the temple of money changers and animal sellers (John 2:13–22). His emotion is described as “zeal” for God’s house (John 2:17). His anger at what is happening in the temple is rooted in God’s holiness and worship. Jesus is angry at those things that prevent rightness with God and others. People can be angry at these types of things as well. Things like human trafficking, the theft of someone’s retirement account or a violent assault cause people to experience righteous anger.

But sometimes, our anger is something more. Our anger hurts our ability to bring rightness with God and others. Often, our anger is a self-focused anger that cares mainly about ourselves. It might be that we’re not getting what we want or experiencing something we view as unfair or unjust. Watch this video as Pastor Jeff Manion explains our ability to deceive ourselves about our anger.

Anger that is centered on our selfishness does not lead to the rightness God desires. When we experience this kind of anger, we need to stop and ask some questions. What do I really want? Why is this so important to me? Why does this matter so much? The answers to these questions can help us get to the real issue. It’s an opportunity to do some Spirit-led soul work as we become more like Jesus.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

In addition to again using the Navigating Emotions tool, ask yourself one of the questions listed above. Use this work to help identify an area where inappropriate anger may be developing. Talk about your answer with your small group. If you’re not in a small group, now is a great time to join a group to have these important questions. Small groups are forming now. Find a group for you at adabible.org/smallgroups.


2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE

Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse! View previous verses at beyondtheweekend.org/biblememorypractice.

JAMES 1:19–20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.


Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.

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