Colossians 1:8 - Sins of Attitude
There is nothing more unbecoming for a Christian than an out of control temperament. In Colossians 1:8 uses three words to describe the kind of temperament which should not characterized followers of Christ. The words are “anger, wrath, [and] malice...” It is important to understand what each of these three words mean.
· ”anger” – This word refers to a deep, smoldering, resentful bitterness. It is an attitude that has settled deep into the heart and has been carried around for so long it has become a part of the carrier’s general disposition. The Greeks described it in terms of a smoldering log. While flames my not be visible, it is obvious that heat is present.
· “wrath” – This word refers to a sudden, violent outburst of anger. It is when that seething feeling which has stayed just below the surface suddenly erupts. The Greeks likened it to a handful of straw being tossed onto the smoldering log and the straw suddenly bursting into flame. We use the word “temper” in much the same way the Greeks used the word translated wrath in this verse.
· “malice” – This word refers to a spiteful attitude. It is the natural by-product of anger. It is the kind of spirit which, instead of wishing the best for others, wishes the worst. It is the kind of spirit which rejoices in the misfortunes of others.
Taken together, these three words--”anger, wrath, [and] malice”--describe a person—
--who is always out of sorts with someone...
--who is always unhappy about something or another...
--who is looking for a reason to be offended...
One writer describes these three words as “the settled spirit of animosity, the sudden flame of anger, and the smoldering hatred of our fellow man...” [Harbour]
And that is not the way God’s people should be. The reason we shouldn’t be that way is because that is not the way Jesus is. When we allow those things to characterize our lives it is obvious we are out of touch with Jesus. Instead of giving us a spirit of--
--anger, Jesus gives us inner peace.
--wrath, Jesus gives us patience with people and situations.
--maliciousness, Jesus gives a spirit of love and compassion toward others.
For more detailed notes on Colossians go to http://www.larryreynolds.org-a.googlepages.com/home)
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