Prophetic-School: Angry With God?
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Originally from: <AVMuk@aol.com>
Originally dated: Tue, 9 Jun 1998 19:56:29 (PDT)
On Ephesians 4:26 there is an interesting comment which I would like to make
from Greek studies of the text, showing the CONTINUATION OF AN ATTITUDE OF
ANGER is here meant, with special reference to the O.T. 'Parorgismos', a
strengthened form of orge, and used in Eph. 4:26. "Provocation"
points especially to that which provokes the wrath, and suggests a less
continued state than No. (1). "The first keenness of the sense of
provocation must not be cherished, though righteous resentment may remain"
(Westcott). The preceding verb, orgizo, in this verse implies a just occasion
for the feeling. This is confirmed by the fact that it is a quotation from Ps.
4:4: 'Don't sin by letting anger gain control over you. Think about it
overnight and remain silent'.
Interlude (NEW LIVING TRANSLATION)
where the Hebrew word signifies: 'to quiver with strong emotion'.
(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words)
There seems to be an area of danger here, where anger GAINS CONTROL, and in our
experience in Ireland and world-wide, this has led to demonic infiltration. I
believe this comes out in the combination of this verse with the next one.
Eph 4:26 And "don't sin by letting anger gain control over you."
Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty
foothold to the Devil.(NLT)
A settled condition of the MIND may lead to the thought of REVENGE LATER ! (1)
Thumos, "wrath" (not translated "anger"), is to be
distinguished from orge, in this respect, that thumos indicates a more agitated
condition of the feelings, an outburst of wrath from inward indignation, while
orge suggests a more settled or abiding condition of mind, frequently with a
view to taking revenge.
ORGE is less sudden in its rise than THUMOS, but more lasting in its nature.
Thumos expresses more the inward feeling, orge the more active emotion. Thumos
may issue in revenge, though it does not necessarily include it. It is
characteristic that it quickly blazes up and quickly subsides, though that is
not necessarily true each time. (from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical
Words)
While it may be good and even therapeutic to express " ORGE " anger,
this Greek word used in Ephesians is immediately linked with the DEMONIC
INVASION of a "THUMOS" settled attitude, which is not resolved but
goes deeper into the spirit.
Personally we have found this leads to depression, and gives a landing-ground
for demonic infiltration into the spirit especially in our dealings in Ireland,
where people tend to react very quickly and strongly !
We certainly need to constantly watch our attitudes to the Lord and His dealing
with us, or else other spirits may take advantage of the situation. Christ's
anger seems to have been completely SELFless in being directed against those
who refused to help needy people and his actions led to a devilish desire to
kill Him, by those who were bound by their religion.
Mark 3:5: 'Looking around at them angrily, for he was deeply disturbed by their
indifference to human need, he said to the man, "Reach out your
hand." He did, and instantly his hand was healed!' 6: 'At once the
Pharisees went away and met with the Herodians to discuss plans for killing
Jesus'. (TLB)
SINFUL anger seems to arise out of SELFISH hurt or PRIDE
II Ki 5:11: 'But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought,
He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his
God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper'. 12: 'Are not
Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel?
may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a
rage'.(KJV)
This was nearly FATAL in Naaman's case, but he was redeemed by letting the
emotion pass and listening to the advice of faithful friends !
Perhaps there is a lesson for us all in this ?
Keith Gerner