Strongholds

539- Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 13:22 And Absalom spoke to his brother Amnon neither good nor bad. For Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar. Absalom maintained his relationship with his brother after the incident with Tamar but he kept it very cool. It was civil but apparently never went beyond the “how's the weather?” stage. In reality, we know that he was just biding his time, looking for the opportunity to avenge his sister. Cooped up anger is never healthy. Eph 4:26,27 says, “Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil.” This tells us that “stewing” over a matter rather than seeking understanding and forgiveness gives a grip to the devil. It's like someone climbing a mountain. They look for a place that they can grab and hold onto. Something in which they can have a “strong hold.” When we allow anger to stew, the devil uses that as a chink in our God-given armor and he builds a foothold on our soul and if it's not dealt with, he will turn it into a stronghold, and use it as a base to wreak all sorts of havoc in our lives. So how do we handle it? The illustration I like to use isn't perfect, but it may be helpful. A foothold isn't worth anything if it is slippery, therefore apply the slippery blood of Jesus to the source of your anger, make your soul slippery to the devil by learning to forgive one another. Eph 4:31, says, “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you. This is the secret to destroying the stronghold of anger. Do not delay! Do not allow the sun to set on the difficulty that has erupted in your life. Do not waiting for an opportune time to erupt. Ec 7:9b says “ anger rests in the bosom of fools.” Father, help me to be mature in handling those things that cause me to be angry.