Don’t Choose Sin as the Remedy Eph. 4:26 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

In Eph 4:26 Paul says, “Be ye angry, and sin not.”  So there is an allowance for anger.  The point is that at times anger is an appropriate response to something wrong.  Look at Jesus in Mark 3:5.  He was angry but he didn’t sin.  Never choose sin as the remedy for anything.  Don’t choose sin as the remedy for:

Anger – deal with the problem appropriately and rule your own spirit.  Anger is not an excuse to sin.  Bad circumstances are not an excuse for bad behavior.  To sin when you’re angry is never right.  People often use anger to manipulate others.  They often target the people to whom they are the closest with anger because they are mad at someone else they can’t or won’t confront.  They may use anger to transfer blame to an innocent party.  They may use anger to relieve stress [often manifested in road rage].

The truth is that you have lost control of your spirit [Prov 16:32; 25:28].  And when you do that you are sinning against the people you get mad at.  Yet, the trouble is not with them; the trouble is with you.  They may have been whipped down or they may not fight back, but you are sinning and sin is not the remedy.  Don’t choose sin as the remedy.

Medical conditions – don’t abuse prescription drugs or other drugs.  Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost.  God will give you grace in your infirmity in order to strengthen you in your weakness, 2 Cor 12:9-10.

Lust and marital difficulty – the trouble is that you choose sexual sins and flirtations to deal with your discontent.  But look at 1 Cor 7:1-2 and 1 Thes 5:22.  When you are faced with temptation, you have to take sin off the table.  Sin is not an option.

Financial stress – never do anything unethical, illegal or sinful when presented with a financial problem or a financial opportunity.  The love of money is the root of all evil, 1 Tim 6:9-10.  You can’t imagine how your love of money overshadows God’s provision and blinds you to your true condition.  In Rev 3:16, the church of the Laodiceans could not see their true condition.  You must keep your integrity at all times even if you have to pass up some money.