Awakening Righteous Indignation Against Moral Complacency
Summary
In today's reflection, we delve into the profound issue of moral complacency and the necessity of righteous indignation against sin. The world, much like the pagan societies described by Paul in Romans, has become desensitized to sin, losing the ability to feel shame or indignation. This moral numbness is a hallmark of godlessness and irreligion. We are called to awaken from this spiritual slumber, to be stirred by the injustices and perversions that pervade our world. The absence of moral outrage is a sign of deep spiritual decay, and we must learn to be angry at sin, as God is.
However, this anger must be righteous and not sinful. We must avoid the pitfalls of bad temper, irritability, and excessive anger, which are manifestations of the old self. Instead, our anger should be directed at the principle of sin, not at individuals. This aligns with the teachings of Christ, who was angered by sin but loved the sinner. We must not let anger fester into wrath, which is a settled condition of bitterness and a desire for vengeance. Such wrath is a denial of the Gospel, which is founded on forgiveness and grace.
To manage sinful anger, we must exercise self-control, a fruit of the Spirit. Loss of control opens the door to the devil, who thrives on chaos and division. Anger clouds our judgment and leads to actions and words we may regret. It is crucial to resolve anger quickly, not letting the sun go down on our wrath. This means addressing issues promptly and seeking reconciliation, as Christ taught in the Sermon on the Mount.
Ultimately, we are reminded that vengeance belongs to God. Our role is to overcome evil with good, leaving judgment to the Lord. By doing so, we reflect the image of God, who forgave us while we were still sinners. Let us strive to embody this divine forgiveness, ensuring that we never rest with bitterness in our hearts.
Key Takeaways:
- Moral Complacency and Indignation: The world has become desensitized to sin, losing the ability to feel shame or indignation. This moral numbness is a hallmark of godlessness, and we are called to awaken and be stirred by the injustices around us. [19:18]
- Righteous vs. Sinful Anger: Our anger must be righteous, directed at sin rather than individuals. Bad temper and irritability are manifestations of the old self, and we must avoid letting anger fester into wrath. [23:15]
- Self-Control and the Devil's Opportunity: Loss of control opens the door to the devil, who thrives on chaos. Anger clouds judgment and leads to regrettable actions. We must exercise self-control, a fruit of the Spirit. [32:01]
- Prompt Resolution of Anger: It is crucial to resolve anger quickly, not letting the sun go down on our wrath. This means addressing issues promptly and seeking reconciliation, as Christ taught. [41:06]
- Vengeance Belongs to God: Our role is to overcome evil with good, leaving judgment to the Lord. By doing so, we reflect the image of God, who forgave us while we were still sinners. [40:17]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [16:25] - The State of Moral Numbness
- [17:21] - Call to Righteous Indignation
- [18:47] - The Natural Reaction to Sin
- [19:18] - Urgency of Moral Indignation Today
- [20:24] - Complacency in Modern Times
- [21:21] - The Disappearance of Sin
- [22:03] - The Call to Be Angry
- [22:59] - Anger Without Sin
- [23:55] - The Wrong Kind of Anger
- [24:43] - The New Man's Reaction
- [27:07] - Excessive Anger and Its Consequences
- [29:21] - Anger Against Evil, Not Individuals
- [30:25] - Dealing with Sinful Anger
- [32:01] - The Devil's Opportunity in Anger
- [40:17] - Vengeance Belongs to God
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 1:18-32
2. Jeremiah 8:12
3. Ephesians 4:26-27
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 1:18-32, what are some characteristics of societies that have become desensitized to sin? How does this relate to the sermon’s discussion on moral numbness? [16:25]
2. In Jeremiah 8:12, what does it mean when it says, "neither could they blush"? How does this reflect the state of moral decay discussed in the sermon? [18:06]
3. Ephesians 4:26-27 advises not to let the sun go down on your wrath. What does this suggest about the urgency of resolving anger according to the sermon? [41:06]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between righteous anger and sinful anger? What are the consequences of each? [23:15]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon interpret the role of righteous indignation in a believer's life? Why is it important to distinguish between anger at sin and anger at individuals? [22:59]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between self-control and spiritual maturity? How does this relate to the concept of the "old self" and the "new self"? [31:27]
3. How does the sermon explain the danger of letting anger fester into wrath? What are the spiritual implications of harboring bitterness? [28:29]
4. According to the sermon, why is it important to leave vengeance to God? How does this reflect the teachings of the Gospel? [40:17]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt anger. Was it directed at a person or a principle of sin? How might you handle a similar situation differently in the future? [29:21]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of resolving anger quickly. What practical steps can you take to ensure you address conflicts promptly? [41:06]
3. Consider a time when you allowed anger to cloud your judgment. What strategies can you implement to maintain self-control in heated situations? [32:29]
4. How can you cultivate a heart that is sensitive to sin and injustice without becoming judgmental or self-righteous? [19:18]
5. Identify an area in your life where you might be holding onto bitterness or a desire for vengeance. What steps can you take to release this to God and seek reconciliation? [28:29]
6. The sermon discusses the importance of embodying divine forgiveness. How can you practice forgiveness in your daily interactions, especially with those who have wronged you? [35:03]
7. Think of a person who challenges your patience or kindness. What is one specific action you can take this week to show them love and grace, reflecting the image of God? [38:25]
Devotional
Day 1: Awakening from Moral Numbness
In a world increasingly desensitized to sin, it is easy to fall into a state of moral complacency. This numbness is a sign of spiritual decay, where the ability to feel shame or indignation is lost. We are called to awaken from this spiritual slumber and be stirred by the injustices and perversions that pervade our world. The absence of moral outrage is a hallmark of godlessness, and we must learn to be angry at sin, as God is. This righteous indignation is not about condemning individuals but about recognizing and opposing the sin that corrupts our world. [19:18]
Ephesians 5:14 (ESV): "For anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, 'Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'"
Reflection: In what areas of your life have you become desensitized to sin, and how can you begin to awaken to these injustices today?
Day 2: Righteous Anger, Not Personal Vendettas
Our anger must be righteous, directed at the principle of sin rather than individuals. Bad temper and irritability are manifestations of the old self, and we must avoid letting anger fester into wrath. This aligns with the teachings of Christ, who was angered by sin but loved the sinner. We must not let anger turn into a settled condition of bitterness and a desire for vengeance, which denies the Gospel's foundation of forgiveness and grace. [23:15]
James 1:19-20 (ESV): "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt anger. How can you redirect that anger towards the sin itself rather than the person involved?
Day 3: Exercising Self-Control in Anger
Loss of control opens the door to the devil, who thrives on chaos and division. Anger clouds our judgment and leads to actions and words we may regret. It is crucial to exercise self-control, a fruit of the Spirit, to prevent anger from taking root in our hearts. By maintaining control, we can ensure that our actions align with God's will and reflect His love and grace. [32:01]
Proverbs 16:32 (ESV): "Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city."
Reflection: Identify a situation where you struggle with self-control. What practical steps can you take to exercise self-control in this area today?
Day 4: Resolving Anger Promptly
It is crucial to resolve anger quickly, not letting the sun go down on our wrath. This means addressing issues promptly and seeking reconciliation, as Christ taught in the Sermon on the Mount. By resolving anger swiftly, we prevent it from festering into bitterness and division, allowing us to maintain peace and unity within our relationships. [41:06]
Ephesians 4:26-27 (ESV): "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil."
Reflection: Is there someone you need to reconcile with today? How can you take the first step towards resolving this conflict before the day ends?
Day 5: Trusting God with Vengeance
Our role is to overcome evil with good, leaving judgment to the Lord. By doing so, we reflect the image of God, who forgave us while we were still sinners. Trusting God with vengeance allows us to let go of bitterness and embrace forgiveness, ensuring that we never rest with bitterness in our hearts. [40:17]
Romans 12:19-21 (ESV): "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' To the contrary, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Reflection: Consider someone who has wronged you. How can you release your desire for vengeance and trust God to handle the situation?
Quotes
This failure to react with indignation and anger against sin and evil is always a sign I say of moral degradation and of godlessness and irreligion. There's a very terrible way of describing it to be found in the book of The Prophet Jeremiah in chapter 8 and verse 12. [00:17:29]
Now that is something which is always wrong and what we need if we're in that condition is this exhortation of the Apostle: be angry. Rouse yourselves, he says, don't allow yourself to be governed by that old mentality. Put off that old man, put on the new man. [00:18:40]
Are we not rapidly again approaching a state of affairs in which this exhortation is more urgently needed than perhaps anything else? Isn't one of the greatest tragedies the were in the world at this hour the failure to feel moral indignation and wrath because of things that are happening? [00:19:26]
There has been a slow steady decline in morals not only in behavior but in outlook and in reaction, so that everything I say tends to be, well, we just shrug our shoulders at it and allow it to pass away. I believe this was true of the attitude of the world to a man like Hitler Before the War. [00:20:21]
The whole category of sin is rapidly disappearing. There isn't such a thing as sin. Man's made like that, he was born like that, he's just got that tendency in him and it's very strong in him and not so strong in another, so we explain everything away. There is no protest, there is no moral indignation. [00:21:46]
Our Lord was angry when he observed manifestations of sin, and what measures your and my approximation to him is that we manifest a similar reaction when confronted by similar things. It's our duty to be angry at certain points and with respect to certain matters. [00:22:56]
First, we must never be just bad-tempered people. That's entirely and utterly wrong. To be a bad-tempered person, to be irritable or irascible is something which is sinful and is condemned everywhere in the scripture. So it's now you're saying, oh, you know, but I haven't been born like that. [00:24:10]
Any anger or expression of anger that is excessive, violence, uncontrollable, out of control—we talk about a man being in a towering rage—there's no need to argue about that. That's definitely utterly sinful. We talk about people seething with anger, shaking with anger. [00:26:55]
Loss of control or lack of control over ourselves always gives the devil his greatest opportunity. That's why you see the Apostle adds verse 27 to verse 26: neither give place to the devil. What he means by that is never open the door to the devil, and when you lose your temper, you have opened it wide open. [00:31:50]
Vengeance is mine, I will repay, sayth the Lord. No, says the Christian, I know that thing's terribly wrong, but I'm not the judge. I leave it all to God. That's the Christian way: put off the old man, put on the new man. [00:40:17]
Let not the sun go down upon your wrath. Do it at once, do it at once. Don't go to bed, don't go to sleep with this in your mind or your heart. He it at once. Never go to sleep, my friend, without settling your moral accounts and your spiritual book. [00:41:06]
Hate sin, always hate sin in the sinner, always, but never hate the sinner. Never hate the sinner. Now this is important, this is really like both sides are absolutely essential. Sin must never be condemned, sin must never be excused, sin is always to be condemned. [00:42:40]
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