February 9

Read: Romans 7:22-24

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger… be put away from you (Ephesians 4:31).

Carnal Anger

Often carnality reveals itself in spiritual failure that brings a deep sense of need to the struggling Christian. Dr. D. I. Vanderpool relates his own experience as follows: “Having a quick temper and a feeling that I was quite important, I kept in trouble most of the time. My life of sin was brought to an end when I was converted at the age of seventeen… I was supremely happy in my new-found joy.

“I had been converted only a few days when a fellow with whom I had had trouble insulted me. My first impulse was to fight, but something reminded me that I was now a Christian and must not fight. For a full minute the war was on in my heart. I shall never forget the warring in my members; but I took the insult, said nothing, and went on my way. I was filled with fear when I considered how near I came to doing something which I would always have regretted.

“Knowing that I had that vicious something still in my heart alarmed me and put me on my guard. Two or three times within ten days I had upsets because of my quick temper, but after prayer and repentance I found forgiveness and the joy bells would ring again in my heart. I loathed the thing within my heart that constantly strove to upset me” (Flames of Living Fire, Beacon Hill Press).

Have you ever felt the power of the Pentecostal fire, Burning up all carnal nature, cleansing out all base desire, Going thro’ and thro’ your spirit, cleansing all its stain away? Oh, I’m glad, so glad to tell you it is for us all today.”