Do I Have a Right to be Irritated?

Have you ever caught yourself complaining about someone…to someone else?

Well, I have. It’s wrong. I know that. But it feels so right when you are doing it, doesn’t it?

The Bible is quite clear on how we are to treat others. How we are to control our tongues.

How love covers over a multitude of sins. How we must forgive if we wish to be forgiven.

Being angry is one thing. Jesus was angry. But do you voice your anger?

Ephesians 4:26
26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger…

That’s right. Angry, gossipy, irritated words are sin. As in – separates you from God. And, like all sin, it feels right while you are doing it.

So much justification and satisfaction in slashing at another person’s weakness or failure makes us feel just great about ourselves.

Until our emotions calm enough to allow the correction of the Holy Spirit to convict us.

Galatians 5:13
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.

Romans 13:8
Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

John 13:34
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.

2 Corinthians 13:11
Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Ephesians 4:26-32
Be angry and do not sin,

Do not let the sun go down on your anger.

Give no opportunity to the devil…

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths,

But only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion,

That it may give grace to those who hear.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,

As God in Christ forgave you.

So why do we feel justified when we aim our words like arrows at those who, well, who irritate the life out of us?

In answer to my own question here, I would have to say what my parents told me repeatedly as a child. “Sin feels good for the moment.”

Galatians 6:7
Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap…

More to the point:

You DO NOT have the right to point out someone else’s failure, weakness, sin or bad behavior to another person. Be Christ ‘to the least of these.’

Offer the same grace and mercy YOU have received from your Father in heaven.

And don’t forget…

John 13:34-35
I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

As you repent and struggle in this, know that you are in good company! Let’s give grace and mercy to one another today and every day. 🙂