Managing Your AngerSample

It Matters to the Devil

In the movie Toy Story, Mr. Potato Head is about to go on a trip. With this toy in real life, children can put different body parts on his head, whether it be eyes, nose, and even a moustache. In the movie, Mr. Potato Head’s wife packs him some extra “angry eyes,” just in case he needs them.

After seeing the movie, our family made amusing references to the angry eyes. For example, my young son might say, “A boy was mean to me at school. So I put on my angry eyes and told him to back off!”

From a biblical perspective, anger is no laughing matter. We saw earlier this week how Jesus said being angry with someone was tantamount to murder. Unrighteous anger is that awful.

I want to explore another dimension of anger today.

When the Jewish people opposed Jesus, He knew their thoughts and said, “…you are looking for a way to kill me…You are doing the works of your own father” (John 8:40-41 NIV).

What “father” is Jesus referring to?

Jesus gives the answer as He continues, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning” (John 8:44 NIV).

We learn here that when people become angry enough, they are walking in the footsteps of the devil, Satan. Jesus even declares that in these cases, it’s as if Satan is their father, and they are a chip off the old block.

We believers shudder at the thought of the devil being our father. That’s horror movie material. Fortunately, if we’re Christians, then God is our Father (John 1:12-13). But the point is taken—though we are God’s children, we need to be careful that we don’t rage to the point where it looks like we’re part of the devil’s family.

In Ephesians 4:26-27, we’re further warned about the following cycle: being angry, sinning, going to bed angry, and giving the devil “a foothold.” Some other Bible translations use “opportunity” or “place” instead of foothold. The imagery is of Satan wanting to take over our lives through the entranceway of anger.

Anger is a powerful opportunity for the devil to wreak havoc in our lives. He isn’t family. Resist him in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Lord, please remind me of my place. You are my true Father. You’ve called me to be Your son to follow in Jesus’ footsteps. Help me in my anger not to sin but to live and love like Jesus. Protect me from the evil one, I pray. Amen.

Reflection: Do you think the devil has much influence on your life? Can the devil use anger to ruin you? If so, how can you resist him?