Key Bible Verse: But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language (Colossians 3:8). Bonus Reading: John 8:31-36

As a new Christian, I was challenged to apply my weekly Bible study personally. I was working through Colossians. The Holy Spirit caught my attention with Colossians 3:8. I tried to slide past it, but He kept bringing me back to the words "get rid of anger."

I had a violent temper. Whenever it flared I'd haul up and bash my fist into the nearest door. Even though I often bloodied my knuckles and once completely smashed a beautiful diamond-and-onyx ring my wife had given me, I couldn't seem to stop. Yet here was God's Word: "Get rid of anger." This wasn't just advice given to the people of Colosse centuries ago. It was God speaking to me right then.

So I made a covenant with God. I promised him I was going to work on it. My first step was to memorize the verse and review it daily. I prayed and asked the Lord to bring this verse to mind whenever I might be tempted to lose my temper. And I asked my wife to pray for me and remind me of this verse if she saw me failing in my promise to the Lord. So Colossians 3:8 became a part of my life, and gradually removed that sin from me.

—Leroy Eims in The Lost Art of Disciple Making

My Response: One of God's "prescriptions" that I need to memorize is …

Thought to Apply: We must do the thing we must / before the thing we may; we are not fit for any trust / till we can and do obey.—GEORGE MACDONALD (Scottish writer)

Adapted from The Lost Art of Disciple Making (Zondervan, 1978) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Help me, Lord, to realize that your commands are loving safeguards, not arbitrary restrictions.

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