How Are the Objectives of Anger and Resentment Deceptive?

The objectives of anger and resentment can be deceptive. Aggressiveness associated with these emotions imply they’re anchored in bravery and courage, but in reality these emotions are anchored to a deep level of fear. 

We human beings tend to be fragile emotionally, especially when fear has motivated us.

Being alienated from family and friends is a tremendous loss. Anger and resentment generate boundaries by producing hostile behavior toward others. Resentment builds walls that are difficult to penetrate. Aggressive acts of anger and resentment are provoked by fear of physical and emotional loss.

There are situations where fear is appropriate, but when motivated by anger and resentment, most often the result is alienation and separation. When these emotions surface, ask God to give you insight about their origin. Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.” Jesus will help you know and accept the truth.  

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Don’t be misled – you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

~Galatians 6:7-8 New Living Translation

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Are Habits Necessary?

Selected parts of our daily activities involve routines or habits that are necessary for completing particular tasks. Charles Reade, the English novelist, expounded on Galatians 6:8 with these rather unsettling words: “Sow an act and reap a habit. Sow a habit and reap a character. Sow a character and reap a destiny.” 

Some habits are an abomination to God because their end is separation from loved ones and unending grief. There is within us the power to conquer bad habits when empowered by the Holy Spirit and his  righteous purpose. By replacing a bad habit with a good one, our destiny is altered and changed.

The apostle Paul instructs you to put off everything that stands between you and Christ Jesus and be redeemed and cleansed by the blood of Jesus. This provides the power to change what separates you from God and others. Jesus Christ has a new destiny and a new hope for you, so claim these now.  

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Don’t be misled; remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it: a man will always reap just the kind of crop he sows! If he sows to please his own wrong desires, he will be planting seeds of evil and he will surely reap a harvest of spiritual decay and death; but if he plants the good things of the Spirit, he will reap the everlasting life which the Holy Spirit gives him.

~Galatians 6:7-8 The Living Bible

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Struggling with Self-deception

Self-deception is a major cause of unhappiness and lack of success in reaching obtainable objectives. One reason we cling to self-deception is the belief that transitions should be smooth and without challenge or suffering. Self-deception's message is there should be no difficulties involved when attempting a new beginning.

When the Israelites had an early chance to take possession of the Promised Land, they failed because of being overwhelmed by fear and anxiety. They refused to trust God’s promise to subdue and drive out those who inhabited the land. They chose self-deception because it complied with what they wanted to believe.

Self-deception is grounded in feelings of powerlessness when facing  obstacles. Self-deception is overcome by faith in God’s promise to help when uncertainties abound. Galatians 6:7 warns, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. Whatever you sow, this is what you will reap.” Trust and faith are based on God's promise to ensure you achieve your objectives. 

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Do not be deceived anymore; God is not to be scoffed at. A person will reap just what he sows, whatever it is. The person who sows to gratify his lower nature will reap destruction from that lower nature, and the person who sows to gratify his higher nature will reap eternal life from the Spirit.

~Galatians 6:7-8 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People

 

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us. But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing.

~1 John 1:8-9 Good News Bible

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To Forgive Is Divine

Alexander Pope the English poet wrote, "to forgive is divine," meaning God's attitude is reflected in us when we forgive those who have hurt us. What makes forgiveness difficult is we want to be sure the wrongdoer doesn't get off Scot-free. If God exercised justice and gave us what we deserved, there would no hope for us.

Failure to forgive is akin to “sowing the wind and reaping the whirlwind.” Jesus told about a man who owed an outlandish debt but was unable to pay it. He begged for mercy and the lender forgave the entire debt. The forgiven man then called in a small loan owed to him and had the person thrown in prison when he couldn’t pay up.

That behavior represents justice without mercy. When the first lender heard about the second lender’s behavior, he withdrew his forgiveness and sent that man to prison. That's what it means to "sow the wind and reap the whirlwind." Forgiveness coupled with gratitude cleanses the heart, mind and spirit.  

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Don’t be misled; remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it: a man will always reap just the kind of crop he sows! If he sows to please his own wrong desires, he will be planting seeds of evil and he will surely reap a harvest of spiritual decay and death; but if he plants the good things of the Spirit, he will reap the everlasting life which the Holy Spirit gives him. 

~Galatians 6:7-8 The Living Bible

Light shines in the darkness for good people, for those who are merciful, kind, and just.

~Psalm 112:4 Good News Bible

The Tragedy of Self-Deception

What lies at the core of self-deception? Usually it includes a desire for something that is unacceptable. Self-deception is comparable to experimenting with drugs and convincing oneself that getting hooked will not happen. Conventional wisdom declares, "If you play with fire, you’ll get burned." Self-deception's reply is, “Not me! I'm too smart."

 

Self-deception refuses to accept reality. A man or a woman agrees to an affair by being convinced it can be hidden and kept secret. A worse rationale is, "I’ll be able to handle it by extinguishing the fire if I get caught and convince others it didn’t mean anything." Some believe guilt and shame will be powerless and of no consequence.

The tragedy of self-deception is, it shuts down a part of you that is necessary to happiness and peace. It suffocates the potential for healthy relationship by closing down trust and truthfulness. Self-deception refuses to believe that God has a better plan, which is openness and honesty. Ask God to help you and he will.