"Have You Been Conquered Today?"
“He Who Angers You Conquers You”
My husband and I were on our way to church one Sunday. As we were driving along, a sign caught my eye at one of the businesses we passed. It simply said, “He who angers you, conquers you.” Is there someone in your life that angers you easily? Or may I should ask, is there a certain type of person that angers you easily? Is so, then you are allowing yourself to be conquered by their attitude and spirit. Paul was referring to “Christians” when he said in Colossians 3:8, But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. When we are filled with God’s Spirit we take on a new nature. As I have said previously sweet water and bitter water cannot flow from the same fountain. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. The Living Bible says it this way, When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun! Wow! What’s inside of you? Is there still some of the old man? If so, we much let go of that. It will affect our lives at some point in time. A friend of mine sent the following story to me recently titled “What’s inside of You?”:
WHAT IS INSIDE OF YOU?
A brother placed two identical jars on the table next to the Podium, both filled with a gold colored liquid in each. He quoted 1 Samuel 16:7, But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
"These jars came from the same factory, were made of the same materials, and can hold the same amount. But they are different," he explained.... Then he upset one and out oozed honey. He turned over the other, and vinegar spilled out. "When a jar is upset, whatever is in it comes out."
Until the jars were upset, they looked alike. The difference lay within, and could not be seen. When they were upset, their contents were revealed.
Until we are upset, we put on a good front. But when we are upset, we reveal our innermost thoughts and attitudes, for "out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh" (Luke 6:45).
What if someone tipped you over today? What would flow out? Would you reveal the "honey" of self-control and patience, or the "vinegar" of anger and sarcasm? 1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Do you still have some of the old man in you? Have you been conquered today? Then it’s time to give it to God. It is VITAL that we have a daily prayer life and read the Word of God for it is our instructions and guidance for living a victorious life! Until next time…
Great imagery! This is so true. Our true nature certainly reveals itself under trying circumstances. We can ask ourselves the following questions, “What fruit is growing from my life? Is it the fruits of the Spirit or is it the fruit of deception? Have we planted wickedness, reaping evil? Or have we sowed for ourselves righteousness, reaping unfailing love? (Hosea 10) Or are we in the more dangerous realm of looking as if we are in season to bear fruit and have none, such as the fig tree?” The Apostle Paul had similar struggles. In Romans he says, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” That is why we take up our cross and die daily! This is a DAILY process. For me, this is a tough process because the world does not advocate humbleness and self control. Thanks be to God, though, his message is still loud and clear. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. His word will never change which means his promises will never change. My prayer is "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
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