Read-
Observation: –
Now let us consider an extreme case to illustrate. Anger is the most violent of human feelings. But the Bible does not forbid us to be angry, for some anger is not related to sin. \”Be angry but sin not,\” the Bible says. Nonetheless, anger is so strong it borders on sin. We do not find, \”Love but do not sin, nor \”Be meek but do not sin,\” in God\’s Word, because love and meekness are far removed from sin. But anger is close to sin. Perhaps a certain brother has committed a serious fault. He needs to be severely reprimanded. This is no easy matter. Rather would we exercise our feelings of mercy than bring our feelings of anger into play, for the latter can fall into something else with the least carelessness. Thus it is not easy to be properly angry according to the will of God. However, one who knows the breaking of the outward man can deal severely with another brother without his own spirit being disturbed or God\’s presence interrupted. He abides in God just as much in dealing with others as in prayer. Thus, after he has taken his brother to task, he can pray without an endeavor to retreat to God. We acknowledge that this is rather difficult, yet when the outward man is broken, such can well be the case.
Application
When the outward man is broken, outside things will be kept outside, and the inward man will live before God continuously. The trouble with many is that their outward man and inward man are joined together, so what influences the outward influences the inward. Through the merciful working of God the outward man and inward man must be separated. Then what affects the outward will not be able to reach the inward. Though the outward man may be engaged in conversation, yet the inward man is fellowshipping with God. The outward may be burdened with listening to the clatter of dishes, while the inward abides in God. One is able to carry on activities, to contact the world with the outer man, yet the inner man remains unaffected, for he still lives before God.
Prayer
Pray for God’s mercy to separate the carnal man and the spiritual man.
- Praise the Lord for the promise of abundant life, for fruitfulness in the work of your hands, in your relationships, in your spiritual growth and endeavors during this season, which symbolizes these virtues. Proclaim Psalm 136
- Pray that the Lord will grant you the nature of the palm tree which remains lush and fruitful even in its old age. That which has depleted with regard to health, creativity, love growing cold, relationships, the work of your hands in every area of experience, will begin to take on this nature. Pray this for kingdom citizens Psalm 92:12-15
- Pray that you will also derive the characteristic of the date palm which thrives in the harshest desert conditions but still bears succulent fruit to an old age. Pray this for the family and Ekklesia especially at such a time when we are facing a rising level of persecution in various parts of the world.