For the mitzvah [commandments] is a lamp, Torah [the Law] a light, and corrective discipline the way of life, keeping you from the immoral woman, from a wayward wife’s smooth tongue. Proverbs 6:23-24, TLV
Don’t Stay There. Powerful emotions can drive change — for good or evil. Today’s proverb addresses the emotion of desire. Desire for what we cannot have, can easily morph into sin. Feelings that go unchecked can mask truth and reality. One of those feelings is anger.
These days there is a lot of anger — and fear. Without exacerbating the situation, let’s just say that the brutality of October 7th in Israel was/is inexcusable. To be clear, it was wrong. The subsequent brutality is wrong.
The Aftermath . . .
People are angry. People are frightened. My family and friends in Israel and around the world are targets of violence and hateful rhetoric only because they are Jewish.
Most people are hardworking and protective of their families and friends. But then there are those who have allowed emotions to cloud their sense of right and wrong.
Both of those small segments of people end up in the same place . . . Sin.
Open the truth . . .
Our Heavenly Father has given us commandments and the Law to 
teach us how to avoid allowing emotions that drive us to sin. We have every right to be angry, we have no right to sin.
This anger is so great, how can we do anything to fight against it? I have a feeling we all know what our Father says. But do we believe it? Will we stand on His truth?
I leave you with a few of those truths. Please share what He has shown you.
They went on stoning Stephen as he was calling out, “Lord Yeshua, receive my spirit!” Then he fell on his knees and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” After he said this, he died. Acts 7: 59-60, TLV [emphasis mine]
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly but powerful through God for the tearing down of strongholds. We are tearing down false arguments and every high-minded thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. We are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Messiah— ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, TLV [emphasis mine]
There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and the one who fears has not been made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18, TLV
The war in the Middle East breaks my heart. The subsequent hateful events in our country are frightening. But I can’t remain there, my sorrow must drive obedience to whatever our Father shows me I’m responsible for. Amen?
Think More About It
What are your thoughts about the tragic events? What has our Father shown you to do?
