“for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. “
(James 1:20 NKJV)
My father used to tell me that nobody ever wins an argument. His point was that the moment anger or passion takes hold of a conversation, everything said after that is just destructive. I believe I have proved his point on several occasions to the detriment of others and the embarrassment of myself, since receiving his advice. Anger in a conversation would rather take truth as a sword to destroy someone rather than an instrument of precise pruning. We might trim a hedge by cutting it down, but that would kill it.
For a Christian, truth coupled with anger is a sin. We think we are to go, and that we should, set that person straight. Most often we care not for someone until we care to rip them to shreds with the truth. Truth is precise and razor sharp, so great care and love must be coupled with truth in order to administer it properly. God is Truth…God is Love. Both. Not one or the other, but both at the same time.
This is what should be defining Christianity…
Here’s Manton on this:
Christianity, of all religions, is the meekest and most humble. It is founded upon the blood of Christ, who is a Lamb slain. It is consigned and sealed by the Spirit of Christ, who descended like a dove. Both are emblems of a meek and modest humility. And should a meek religion be defended by our violences, and the God of peace served with wrathful affections, and the madness of an evil nature bewray itself in the best cause? Christ’s warfare needeth not such carnal weapons; as Achish said, ‘Have I need of mad men?’ 1 Sam. 21:15. So, hath Jesus Christ need of our passions and furies? Doth the God of heaven need a tongue set on fire of hell? James 3:6.
~Thomas Manton (from his commentary on James)
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