Get over it.
When I first read this verse (not first read it, but read it in prep for this post), it was sort of hard for me to wrap my head around because I don’t have a whole lot of experience with it. In no way am I trying to be self-righteous, but I just don’t think I have much of a struggle with bitterness or rage (except for the 8 years I lived in Los Angeles and had to put up with their traffic!). I guess I just don’t care enough to get angry with much of anything.
However, I do think this is acceptable behavior for people who don’t intentionally “rid themselves of all forms” of this junk. I don’t think this is a Christian/non-Christian thing; I’ve seen some long-time Christians who are just mean jerks who don’t think twice about slandering or gossiping or holding a grudge.
I have twin brothers who are 10 years older than I am (that makes them 41 years old). They have been best friends and attached at the hip since birth (that’s a figure of speech, they’re not actually conjoined). Neither of them are believers. About two years ago, one of them ticked the other one off and they had a huge fight and have since then swore each other off. They haven’t spoken a word for almost two years. Bitterness. Rage. Slander. Anger. Malice. All of it – the whole package.
My advice to them, and my advice to any of you who struggle with any of these awesome-less character traits – get over it. Each of my brothers thinks they are right. They hold tightly onto the fact that the other one is wrong. How does one get rid of all the junk Paul is talking about – they do what Alan has spoken on for several weeks… they sit down and shut up (Alan, please forgive me if that isn’t a direct quote). Put up with the junk that people throw at you for the sake of representing the identity we hold in Christ. I imagine I will tick some people off saying this (based on numerous conversations with my brothers telling them to get over it) – but I believe it to be true. Quit feeling you have the right to hold onto something. People will hurt you. People intentionally and unintentionally will cut you deep, but the bottom line is that we are not supposed to have any forms of these character traits.
I’m not asking you to be someone’s whipping boy and let people walk all over you. By all means, if you feel like an issue needs to be confronted (in a humble, loving, Biblical way) – then do it. Humility is exactly what it takes to get over it, though. At the end of the day, keeping the unity in Christ and representing your identity in Christ is more important than “being right.”
Great piece Joe. We do need to let go and get over so many things. On the other hand you said…”I guess I just don’t care enough to get angry with much of anything.”I know you and I know that is not true. You Care about many things and I hope you get angry about many things as much as Jesus. So angry that he turned tables over in public and yelled at people as white washed tombs. Passion against evil.In this verse it says get rid of rage and anger, but Jesus had rage and anger, and so should we.
I agree with you 100% Joe.I’ll give you an example.One of my co -workers must have had a bad day and just let Satan use him to the max. He was asking me a question and because I looked at him in confusion or something I really don’t know what set him off ,but he cussed me up and down a blue streak and threatened to kick my behind. Whoa! That totally caught me off guard and I told that individual, look I don’t cuss at you and and I don’t appreaciate you cussing at me. So I just stayed out of his way the rest of the day. I thought to myself Satan has used you and brought out the true you. I let that pass and didn’t think about it anymore. It happened and it’s over and and speaks to me like we’ve great co-workers again. I don’t hold no grudge against him I just know how he’ll re-act if he’s having a bad day. I know this was a little long winded,but I thought this scenerio fit right in with what you said.