August 26, 2025

A TIME FOR GENTLENESS/A TIME FOR BOLDNESS

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Dear brothers and sisters, if I were still preaching that you must be circumcised—as some say I do—why am I still being persecuted? If I were no longer preaching salvation through the cross of Christ, no one would be offended. I just wish that those troublemakers who want to mutilate you by circumcision would mutilate themselves.”

Galatians 5:11–12 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

Throughout the book of Galatians, Paul boldly confronts the Judaizers—those who insisted that Gentile believers must follow the Jewish law, including circumcision, to be fully accepted by God. These false teachers weren’t just spreading bad doctrine; they were actively undermining Paul’s message of grace and trying to discredit his ministry.

In today’s passage, we see Paul’s passion and righteous anger. His words are strong—even jarring. Some might read this and feel uncomfortable, wondering, “Is this Christlike?” But what Paul expresses is not hatred—it’s deep concern for the truth of the gospel and the spiritual well-being of his readers.

In our current culture, anger is often viewed as purely negative. But Scripture never says that anger itself is sinful. Ephesians 4:26 says, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” This teaches us that anger, when handled correctly, can be a holy and necessary response to evil or injustice.

Even Jesus expressed righteous anger:

• In the Temple, He drove out the money changers because they had turned God’s house of prayer into a den of thieves (Matthew 21:12–13).

• In the synagogue, He became angry with religious leaders who cared more about rules than about healing a man with a withered hand (Mark 3:1–6).

• With His disciples, He was indignant when they tried to keep children away from Him, revealing His passion for the overlooked and undervalued (Mark 10:13–16).

These examples remind us that anger is not the opposite of love. Sometimes, anger is love in action—especially when we are defending truth, justice, or the vulnerable.

Paul’s frustration in Galatians 5 comes from love—love for the Galatian believers and for the purity of the gospel. He saw the Judaizers twisting grace into legalism, and he could not remain silent.

Reflection:

There is a time for gentleness and a time for boldness. There are moments when silence is sin, and when speaking out—even in strong terms—is necessary. Anger is not always wrong, but it must be grounded in truth and expressed under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit, help me to discern when anger is appropriate. Teach me how to express it in a way that honors You. Forgive me for the times I’ve spoken harshly without love—and for the times I’ve remained silent when I should have spoken up. Fill me with courage and compassion, that I may stand for truth and grace like Jesus and Paul. Amen.

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