ARE YOU MAD?

I was in a bookshop to buy some items years back. The woman who owns the shop was on seat. I know her to be a "Christian." As we were there, she got angry and picked quarrel with someone. In anger, she said, "I'm mad and you'll know that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith." When she said that, I marveled. My Jesus is not the author of "madness" rather He cures it. I've met people who claimed to have "madness" running through their veins. People who always lay claim to special "madness" often pick quarrels with others. They are short-fused and hot-tempered in character yet they are cool with it. Unfortunately, I've seen many Christians who claimed to be "mad." I still wonder how a Spirit-filled person can harbour the spirit of "madness" at the same time. The bible says, "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!"( Galatians 5:22-23 NLT).This is the portrait of a believer's life. "Madness" is not our thing.

If we'll be good students of the bible, you'll see that there are clear instructions against anger. The preacher says, "Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool"( Eccl.7:9). If you're prone to getting angry easily, the bible calls you a fool. In fact, the bible warns against making friends with hot-tempered people: "Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people,"( Prov.22:24). One of the things I tell singles to watchout for when choosing a mate is temper. If he/she has issues with temper, don't proceed to the next level. "Madness" has made some men beat their wives even to the point of death and vice versa. Why should a believer be proud of "madness" and even claim he/she has been to the mental home for cure? I know they've not been there physically but they're exaggerating their proclivity for causing trouble and glorifying their anger issues. Such people are not worth relating with. Run. Are you "mad"? If you are in this category of smoky- hot, short-fused people, let me introduce Jesus to you. He is the cure for your "madness".

Don't take pride in what should make you cry to God in prayer. To overcome anger, simply surrender your emotions, feelings to the Spirit and yield to Him: "So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves"( Gal.5:16). Don't agree with the devil that being "mad" is natural to you. Some have refused help for their "madness" because they've accepted it as part of the features of their temperament. That's the devil preaching to you. You can be a peaceful and loveable person. The true mark of honour is in your ability to live at peace with others and maintain that peace. One of the famous beattitude says "the peace makers shall be called true sons of God." A wise man said 'fools blow up in the face of anger'. There are things that will tempt you and I to become "mad" and to pick quarrel but we must build spiritual capacity to hold ourself in and be controlled. Anything or anyone that will tempt you into picking quarrels and displaying "madness" must be avoided. The mark of honour is to avoid a fight.

CONFESSION: I refuse to be mad. I submit my life and emotions to you my Lord. Henceforth, I'll live like Jesus, I receive grace to be orderly, calm and refined in character in Jesus name.

N:B Join us to pray in the Spirit 9pm ( Nigerian time) every night on zoom:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86794796510?pwd=VncrZjBCWE9yWFJaVStPOUZ2UC92dz09

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