#5 UNDERSTANDING LOVE: LOVE IS NOT EASILY PROVOKED...
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
LOVE UNDERSTANDS THAT ANGER IS A CHOICE.
ANGER IS AN ATTITUDE OR SPIRIT! ANGER CAN BECOME HABITUAL.
Do we get hysterical and then go historical?
THERE WAS AN ADD IN THE PAPER:
WEDDING DRESS FOR SALE, NEVER WORN.
WILL TRADE FOR A 38 CALIBER PISTOL.
WHAT DOES REAL LOVE REQUIRE?
Have you heard about the lady that her husband died? She was so lonely she could not stand
being in her quiet house. She was reading one day about how PETS can fill a void in a home.
She studied dogs, cats, fish, birds, lizards and snakes. After much study she decided a BIRD
was what she needed.
She went to the local pet shop and they had several birds. She asked the person running
the store did they have a BIRD THAT LOVED TO LISTEN AND TALK?
He said: Yes, we have one bird that is a real CHATTERBOX. All my customers love to talk
to this bird. The bird has a great personality and has a many word vocabulary. But the bird is
very expensive.
The lady said: I WILL TAKE THE BIRD IF YOU PROMISE IT TALKS.
The lady buys the bird and a beautiful cage and takes the bird home. She had read it takes a
while for a pet to adjust to the new home.
After a week the bird had not spoken a word? So the lady ran by the PET STORE and told
them her bird had not said a word. The man said: DID YOU BUY A MIRROR? See, birds like
a mirror. So the lady purchased a large mirror and took it and placed it in the cage. The bird
would look at the mirror but it still never said a word.
So a week later the lady returned and spoke with the people at the store and reported to them
that the talking bird had not said one word. The previous owner said: DID YOU BUY A LADDER
WHEN YOU BOUGHT THE CAGE? The lady answered negative, I have no bird ladder. They
explained that birds love a ladder to climb up and down and maybe what was missing was a bird
ladder. The lady placed the ladder in the cage and still the BIRD REFUSED TO TALK?
Now it had been almost a month and she said: I PURCHASED THIS BIRD TO TALK AND STILL
NOT A WORD. The store owner said: DID YOU PLACE A BIRD SWING IN THE TOP OF THE
CAGE? Well, no she replied. So the lady took the bird swing and tied it in the top of the cage.
THE BIRD WAS ALMOST LIFELESS. THE BIRD NEVER LOOKED IN THE MIRROR. THE BIRD
NEVER CLIMBED THE LADDER, AND THE BIRD NEVER JUMPED ON THE SWING.
For 6 weeks the bird never said one word.
FINALLY ONE DAY THE BIRD FELL DOWN IN THE BOTTOM OF THE CAGE---
IT MADE A FEW SOUNDS AND DIED.
In anger the lady rushed in the PET STORE and said: I PAID GOOD MONEY FOR THAT
BIRD TO TALK TO ME AND GIVE ME COMPANY AND NOW THAT DUMB BIRD IS DEAD.
THE OWNER OF THE STORE SAID: DIDN'T THE BIRD SAY ANYTHING BEFORE IT
DIED?
WELL, YES, THE BIRD SPOKE IN A VERY WEAK VOICE, AS HE WAS TAKING HIS LAST
BREATH: DON'T THEY HAVE ANY BIRD FOOD DOWN THERE AT THAT PET SHOP?
There are times we are so considerate about many issues and we tend to
MISS THE MAIN NEED.
Hurting people hurt people. There can be times that we think we are focusing on what really
matters--- SEEMS WE CAN HEAR BUT WE CAN NOT SEEM TO UNDERSTAND?
SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW WE WILL FIND LOVE?
ONE OF THE THINGS WE SEARCH FOR IN LIFE IS HAPPINESS AND LOVE?
HOW EASY IS IT TO CHASE THE END OF THE RAINBOW TO FIND OUR POT OF GOLD?
THEN WE FIND I CAN'T SEEM TO GET TO THE END OF THE RAINBOW?
Where does a person find love?
Think about YOU, YOURSELF AND I? Self-seeking?
Think about what you want? I demand EASY!
Think about what others OWE YOU?
Think about WHAT YOU DESERVE?
Think about HOW OTHERS HURT YOU and how bitter you can be?
Think about what you like?
Think about how others do not love and respect you like they should? Self-exaltation?
Think about what other people think about you?
THINKING ABOUT SELF WILL NEVER FIND LOVE.
THE BIBLE IS VERY CLEAR ABOUT LOVE AND ANGER!
CAN WE SEE THAT ANGER AND BITTERNESS AND BEING IRRITATED ARE LOVE KILLERS?
Come let us reason together of some hidden lessons the Bible teaches us about love.
1 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV) Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily
provoked, thinketh no evil;
1 Corinthians 13:5 (MOFF) Love is never rude, never selfish, never irritated, never resentful;
1 Corinthians 13:5 (MSG) Doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always "me first," Doesn't fly off the
handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
1 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV) It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no
record of wrongs.
1 Corinthians 13:5 (NLT) or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps
no record of being wronged.
1. LOVE IS NOT EASILY PROVOKED--- to cause something to happen, to be angry and violent;
To incite anger, to stir up,
2. LOVE IS NEVER IRRITATED--- To annoy someone, to be IMPATIENT, to be angry, to bring pain,
induce displeasure, to bug, GET ON ONE'S NERVES,
3. LOVE DOES NOT FLY OFF THE HANDLE--- QUICKLY ANNOYED, abnormal or excessive,
cranky, grouchy,
4. LOVE IS NOT EASILY ANGERED--- A strong feeling of being upset, a feeling that makes you want
to hurt another, strong feeling of displeasure, RAGE, MAD, enraged, TICKED OFF,
5. LOVE IS NOT IRRITABLE--- RUBBED THE WRONG WAY, REACTION, crabby, grumpy, snap,
short tempered,
6. (Darby): Is not quickly provoked...
7. (NRSV) it is not irritable or resentful; --- showing feelings of anger, unfair, resentful, bitter
8. (TLB) It is not irritable or touchy. EASILY UPSET, likely to hurt and cause others to be upset,
likely to take offense on slight provocation, acutely sensitive, highly explosive, THIN SKINNED.
OUR GOD IS LOVE, LOVE IS SLOW TO ANGER... God is our example...
THE LORD IS SLOW TO ANGER AND GREAT IN POWER...
Nahum 1:3 (KJV) The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the
wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust
of his feet.
GOD RESTRAINS HIMSELF...
Weak minds go to anger and are irritated at little things.
AS GOD IS SLOW TO ANGER, SO HE DESIRES US IN LOVE TO BE SLOW TO ANGER...
Proverbs 15:18 (KJV) A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
Proverbs 15:18 (MSG) Hot tempers start fights; a calm, cool spirit keeps the peace.
Proverbs 16:32 (KJV) He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his
spirit than he that taketh a city.
THERE ARE SOME RULES GOD ATTACHES TO ANGER...
1. BE ANGRY AND SIN NOT ---
2. DO NOT LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON YOUR ANGER---
Ephesians 4:26 (KJV) Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Ephesians 4:26 (MSG) Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don't use your anger
as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry.
When you are angry count to 10. If you are very angry count to 100.
ANGER CAN NEVER FIX ITSELF.
Have you ever seen a little baby change it's own diaper? Of course not.
ANGER IS A SELF-INFLICTED DISEASE THAT WILL TAKE THE VERY JOY OUT OF LIFE.
ANGER IS A CHOICE...
WHEN WE TAKE WHAT IS NOT OURS --- WE SAY: GOD I DO NOT TRUST YOU AND
WE ROB WHAT BELONGS TO GOD.
REVENGE IS A TERRIBLE SPIRITUAL ATTITUDE AND IT WILL COST YOU DEARLY.
LOVE WILL TRUST GOD TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR HURT, BITTERNESS AND PAIN...
Romans 12:19 (KJV) Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is
written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Romans 12:19 (MSG) Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says
God. "I'll take care of it."
Hebrews 10:30 (KJV) For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will
recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
Hebrews 10:30 (MSG) This is no light matter. God has warned us that he'll hold us to account and
make us pay. He was quite explicit: "Vengeance is mine, and I won't overlook a thing," and,
"God will judge his people."
A family came to my office and their landlord had been very mean to them.
They had paid the rent and security deposit to move in a little house. They had paid the gas
deposit, and electric deposit and had moved some of their stuff into the house.
Another person came to the land-lady and offered $50 more a month to allow them to move
in the house. The lady accepted the new deal and called the other people and told them they could not
move in and they would lose a big part their deposits. They were so looking forward to be moving
into the house. They had given notice where they lived and would have to move out.
They came to me and asked me to do something. I could do nothing.
I felt sorry for them and had a prayer. I explained to them that GOD WAS IN CONTROL AND GOD
WOULD EXACT PAYMENT. They agreed.
When they went into the house to remove their stuff they turned off the water and took a hack saw
and cut through the pipes. They took a sledge hammer and knocked holes through the walls.
They cut electrical wires and broke out windows. They even cut the gas lines that went
under the house. They did thousands of dollars of damage to the mean lady's house.
It went to court, guess who paid? THEY DID AND THEY WERE DISGRACED IN THE
COMMUNITY.
WHEN WE TAKE VENGENCE INTO OUR OWN HANDS, WE ROB FROM GOD...
LOVE NEEDS DAILY MENTAL AND SPIRITUAL VENTILATION.
LOVE KNOWS THAT WE CAN PROVOKE ANGER. ANGER CAN CRUSH PEOPLE.
Anger can take on a form of INSANITY?
BECAUSE OF LITERARY TOOLS, WE SEE IT IS NEEDED TO TAKE CERTAIN POINTS.
MY OPINION IS THERE ARE SEVERAL PLACES IN THE BIBLE THAT TAKE THE VIEW
OF ONE GENDER?
Many times in the Bible gender word is used and we understand that means both genders.
For example: There is a time for men to die, with logic we understand that women will die
just as a man will!
Hebrews 9:27 (KJV) And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
I PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT WHERE THE BIBLE SAYS FATHERS PROVOKE NOT
YOUR CHILDREN --- COULD VERY WELL BE SPOKEN PARENTS PROVOKE NOT
YOUR CHILDREN.
Ephesians 6:4 (KJV) And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up
in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
My opinion is that a father or a mother could provoke their children to anger.
My opinion would also say: ANY PERSON COULD PROVOKE ANOTHER PERSON TO ANGER.
TO PROVOKE PEOPLE TO ANGER IS NOT VERY WISE.
Colossians 3:21 (KJV) Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
Colossians 3:21 (MSG) Parents, don't come down too hard on your children or you'll crush their spirits.
LOVE SHOULD PROVOKE US AND ENCOURAGE US TO GREATER HEIGHTS.
Hebrews 10:24 (KJV) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Hebrews 10:24 (MSG) Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out,
CONCLUSION:
There was a young man that attended school in a large north-eastern city. In his studies he
fell in love with EAGLES. He read everything he could about eagles. He watched documentaries
about eagles and the more he studied the more he loved EAGLES.
He promised himself when he graduated college he would travel out west to OBSERVE THE
EAGLES IN NATURE.
He found a job teaching and saved his money all year. Summer came and he booked a flight to
the area where EAGLES COULD BE FOUND. He rented a Jeep, took his camping gear and
away he went in his search of EAGLE WATCHING. He talked to locals and found a good
area and he set up his camp sight. He took his binoculars and telescope and set them up.
The next day the young man never saw any eagles. He traveled deeper into the cliff areas and
he observed up the mountains. Finally the second evening he spotted a beautiful eagle soaring
high in the sky. He watched where the eagle landed on the nest.
Before the sun came up the man had moved where he could watch the eagles. His
experience was much greater than he expected. Several days the young man watched the
nest and the flight patterns of the eagle. He focused in on the nest and saw baby eaglets in
their nest. One morning he was observing a male eagle soaring in the sky and to his amazement
the eagle went into a dive and with great speed the eagle dipped beneath the tree line. In a few
minutes the eagle was back soaring in the sky.
All of a sudden the beautiful young eagle started free falling from the sky. The eagle was limp.
It dropped from the sky at a high rate of speed.
The young man started hiking to the area where the eagle had fallen to it's death.
When he arrived he found the dead eagle and attached to his chest was a dead WEASIL.
Seems the eagle had swooped to the ground and had captured a weasel in his sharp talons.
As the eagle started flying upwards the weasel had dug into the eagles chest and had
dug the eagles heart out while in mid-flight. AS THE EAGLE WAS CLINGING TO
THE WEASIL --- HE REFUSED TO LET GO. The eagle could have dropped the weasel
to it's death and then re-captured it for food. Hanging on to the weasel was sure death for
the eagle.
The young teacher stood over the lifeless body of the eagle and cried:
EAGLE ALL YOU HAD TO DO WAS LET GO... ALL YOU HAD TO DO TO LIVE WAS
LET GO ...
MY FRIEND--- LOVE IS NOT EASILY PROVOKED. REAL LOVE DOES NOT PROVOKE
OTHERS. LET GO! PLEASE LET GO. A SHARP TONGUE AND MEAN WORDS WILL BRING
YOU DOWN. CLINGING TO BITTERNESS, ANGER AND HURT WILL DESTROY YOU---
AND YOUR FAMILY. THE HOTTER AND THE MORE HEATED THE DISAGREEMENT THE
CLOSER YOU COME TO AN EXPLOSIVE END OF DESTRUCTION.
THIS IS PART #5 OF LESSONS
EXPLORING UNDERSTANDING LOVE... I BEG YOU--- LET GO OF WHAT WILL KILL YOU.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
For my time and effort could you please pass this on to another person?
