When I look at our culture and what is going on in our world, so many people are angry or frustrated with where we are as a nation, and what is even taking place in our own neighborhoods.  

As I consider where we are, and my own life I am reminded of James 1:19-21 ESV 19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 

Specifically, verse 20, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 

I know we all get angry at times, but too often our anger boils over into sin. I am aware that the Bible tells us to be anger and sin not.  

Ephesians 4:25-27ESV25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.

But what I have found is that we are often not able to control it and it spills over to sin, as the text in Ephesians reminds us is a real possibility. Whatever anger we have it should be dealt with quickly and not allowed to be used by the enemy to gain a foothold in our lives.  

However, when we watch the TV and see the national news, it appears that we have not only given the enemy an opportunity, we have opened wide the barn door for him to come in and live in our homes and hearts.   

Personally, my anger has only caused headaches, heartburn, hives and hurt feelings.  Now mind you, we may all get angry, and it is a legitimate emotion that we need to acknowledge. But it is not the acknowledgement that is at issue, but the action we take in response to our anger.  

As we explore these (2) texts we are given clear instructions on how to handle our anger.  

1-let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 

2- put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

3- put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

4-  do not let the sun go down on your anger 

5-  give no opportunity to the devil. 

All of this is only possible as we depend on the Holy Spirit's empowerment to live in God's righteousness.  

Galatians 5:15-17ESV15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

So today let's put away our anger and keep in step with the Spirit, so that we can produce the righteousness that comes from God.