1 Samuel_11
Scripture
“When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger.”
1 Samuel 11:6 NIV
Observation- What does it say?
Samuel anointed Saul as king in the previous chapter and with God’s help, he “enjoys initial success, defeating the Ammonites in battle.” (Book of 1 Samuel, gotquestions.org). The interesting thing is that when the spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul, the first emotion he experienced to help him complete his mission was anger.
Understanding- What does it mean?
Be angry about what matters, not about what doesn’t matter.
After the Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul, he became angry. That anger is what God used to make the terror of the Lord evident to the people and unite them to complete their mission of conquering and defeating the Ammonites.
Anger is not an unrighteous emotion. Sometimes, it’s necessary, such as being so angry with sin and the consequences of sin that we want to turn our lives around or being angry with injustice towards innocent people.
But, anger focused on the wrong things will lead to sin and give the devil a foothold, as it’s fruits are bitterness, dissension, gossip and murder. It will hinder the mission of Christ. It will break up relationships, homes and fellowship. It will dim our light in this darkened world and cheapen our witness. Unlike the anger in this chapter that caused unity, anger that is not of the Lord will lead to division towards the mission.
Life Application
“When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger.”
1 Samuel 11:6 NIV
Observation- What does it say?
Samuel anointed Saul as king in the previous chapter and with God’s help, he “enjoys initial success, defeating the Ammonites in battle.” (Book of 1 Samuel, gotquestions.org). The interesting thing is that when the spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul, the first emotion he experienced to help him complete his mission was anger.
Understanding- What does it mean?
Be angry about what matters, not about what doesn’t matter.
After the Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul, he became angry. That anger is what God used to make the terror of the Lord evident to the people and unite them to complete their mission of conquering and defeating the Ammonites.
Anger is not an unrighteous emotion. Sometimes, it’s necessary, such as being so angry with sin and the consequences of sin that we want to turn our lives around or being angry with injustice towards innocent people.
But, anger focused on the wrong things will lead to sin and give the devil a foothold, as it’s fruits are bitterness, dissension, gossip and murder. It will hinder the mission of Christ. It will break up relationships, homes and fellowship. It will dim our light in this darkened world and cheapen our witness. Unlike the anger in this chapter that caused unity, anger that is not of the Lord will lead to division towards the mission.
Life Application
Be angry, but do not sin.
““In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”
Ephesians 4:26-27 NIV
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”
Matthew 5:44-47 NIV
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Colossians 3:12-14 NIV
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.”
James 4:10-11 NIV
““You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘ Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”
Matthew 5:21-24 NIV
Pastor Gary spoke on Sunday about being committed to the fellowship...being committed to one another. One of the ways we do that is by dealing with the conflict and forgiving and reconciling quickly, so that the devil doesn’t have a foothold and we are able to get back to the mission the Lord has called us to be united in, which is multiplying Christ followers everywhere and making disciples of all nations by being His witnesses.
Dear Lord, I pray that You would humble all of our hearts towards You and our brothers and sisters in Christ. I pray that pride, envy, and/or anger would not take root among our family at DSC, and that it would start with me. May we be angry instead with sin and other things that break your heart. We pray for a reconciling heart and spirit of unity in order to be fueled to accomplish Your mission of furthering Your Kingdom. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
““In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”
Ephesians 4:26-27 NIV
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”
Matthew 5:44-47 NIV
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Colossians 3:12-14 NIV
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.”
James 4:10-11 NIV
““You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘ Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”
Matthew 5:21-24 NIV
Pastor Gary spoke on Sunday about being committed to the fellowship...being committed to one another. One of the ways we do that is by dealing with the conflict and forgiving and reconciling quickly, so that the devil doesn’t have a foothold and we are able to get back to the mission the Lord has called us to be united in, which is multiplying Christ followers everywhere and making disciples of all nations by being His witnesses.
Dear Lord, I pray that You would humble all of our hearts towards You and our brothers and sisters in Christ. I pray that pride, envy, and/or anger would not take root among our family at DSC, and that it would start with me. May we be angry instead with sin and other things that break your heart. We pray for a reconciling heart and spirit of unity in order to be fueled to accomplish Your mission of furthering Your Kingdom. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi