Your Daily Slice

ELUL 20

Put Away

“Let all … WRATH, and DISPLEASURE, and UPROAR … be put away from you.” (Eph 4:31, emphasis mine)

Each one of the three words emphasized in our opening verse carries with it a strong implication of violence. ‘Wrath’ is translated from the Greek word thumos (Strong’s G2372), and carries with it the picture of a strong, passionate anger, resulting in a flushed face and reddened ears. ‘Displeasure’ – some translations use the word anger here – comes from the word orgē (Strong’s G3709), and is akin to the word used in Eph 4:26, which we have already looked at (see ‘Your Daily Slice’, Elul 12). Orgē means an intense anger, one that finds its release in punishment and vengeance. ‘Uproar’ – again, other translations use clamor or evil speaking – is from the Greek word kraugē (Strong’s G2906), and translates as a strong, loud cry or wail, as coming from one who is in distress.

Chapter 4 of Ephesians begins with a call to unity, of being like-minded and in one accord. With words denoting the Fruit of the Ruach as being required to perform this call to unity, we are also expected to guard and preserve this unity and harmony (see Eph 4:1-6). The verse that we opened with is close to the end of this chapter, and is still being directed to the ones who are being called to walk together. That includes us, brethren, those of us who claim to be children and disciples of the living Elohim. If we have committed ourselves to walking this walk called Torah, to loving our neighbor as ourselves, then there are certain prerequisites to which we must adhere. Negative, violent, carnal emotions, especially those of wrath and rage, MUST be done away with.

We cannot love our neighbor and, at the same time, desire to punish him for some perceived ill that had been done to us twenty years ago. We cannot allow ourselves to become so angry at any individual that our voice is heard, loud and clear, mouthing slander in our distress. And we cannot allow ourselves to be so overcome with rage that we are completely unrecognizable. This is not exemplifying the character and person of our Messiah Yeshua, which should always be our goal.

When the dust settles, it truthfully does not matter about all the wrongdoing that has been done to us; what is of importance, and what we will be judged on, is how we choose to react to the words and actions of others. Yes, our Elohim has promised that ‘He will repay’ (2The 1:6), but that will never happen until such time as our heart attitude is in the right place, and we have released the care of it all to the One whose shoulders can carry it.

“And flee from the lusts of youth, but pursue righteousness, belief, love, peace with those calling on the Master out of a clean heart.” (2Tim 2:22)

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