Eph. 4:26-5:4 (NKJV)
The name Family Feud usually makes people think of the well-known game show by that name. It’s a game where two families compete against each other to identify the most common answer to certain survey questions. However, today I want to address anger and issues that create feuds in the family.
A feud is a quarrel or anger over an issue that goes for an extended period of time.
Did you know that anger is bad for your health? If you have a problem with anger, you are five times more likely to have a heart attack than the average person.
Did you know that 55% of all homicides are committed by someone that knew the victim well and 25% are committed by a family member? That’s a sure indicator that anger that leads to feuding is dangerous.
Anger is a normal human emotion, but it must be controlled and channeled properly.
At least 18 times in the Old Testament we read of God being angry, but we know that God is without sin of any kind. God is portrayed as angry against wrongs and sins and injustices committed. Divine anger was always directed against sin or those who committed sin.
You can be angry about sin and not sin yourself or you can let your anger get out of control and let your anger become sin.
Let’s look at how to prevent anger from becoming sin in your family and causing a Family Feud.
- Don’t give the devil an opportunity to get a hold of your family (v.26-27)
When we let anger build up in us instead of dealing with it, we give the devil an opportunity to get a hold in our family. We must deal with issues as soon as possible. Verse 31 tells us different types of anger and one of the key things about these types of anger is the fact that they eventually lead to family feuds if they are not dealt with. - Don’t let your tongue get away with you (v.29.)
One of the worst things that can create lasting injury is hard words spoken in anger. The old saying about sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me, is far from the truth. Words actually cut to the bone. The Bible teaches us to think before we speak. - Don’t let your love relationship be corrupted by lust (5:2-3.)
A family starts out as a man and woman that are in love with each other and the love of these two leads to a marriage and eventually a family with children. The devil is very good at tempting the lust of our eyes and getting us to look in a different direction than our spouse. The lust of eyes can easily destroy the commitment of love.
The devil would love to get a hold in your family and create a Family Feud, but you must make the decision that the devil is not welcome in your family.
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