August 24

Relationships: Who Needs Whom?

Anger can destroy
Genesis 4:8-12

Read the Bible through:
AM - Psalm 146-150 : PM - Romans 14

Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" (Gen. 4:9)

When the atomic bomb exploded over the city of Hiroshima, Japan, in August 1945, the destruction was catastrophic. The bomb was detonated 1,900 feet above the city and devastated everything within five square miles. The explosion killed 70,000 people and wounded another 70,000 people.

While we don't usually associate anger to bombs that can destroy people and places, it can be highly explosive and destructive. Anger can damage our relationships, steal our joy, and harm our witness as Christians. Think about times when you have been hurt because of someone else's angry words or actions. How has your anger hurt others?

Cain had killed his brother in anger. God told Cain he was cursed because of his sin. He would never be able to grow crops, and he would always be a wanderer. Anger destroyed Abel's life by murder and Cain's life by the curse he carried for the rest of his days.

Lord, please don't let my anger lead to sin.