The Fruit of the Spirit, Temporary Bursts of Indignation, and the Bitterness of Constant Anger

Note that “blessed are the meek” (Matthew 5:5) is not about nor a teaching against expressing anger or indignation against injustice–like sexual perversion and abuse for example, preaching sermons against sin, preaching repentance, or about preaching sermons against injustice, as is required in evangelistic ministry. This is about the way we carry ourselves in relation to others in the church, in business, in family, etc. There is a sense of self-control there. This is more related to people in pastoral ministry, because of their constant interaction with people acting annoying with petty irritations and nuisances. Not being easily provoked by people’s comments or crazy behavior. To say that Matthew 5:5 is a teaching against the whole idea of preaching with anger against flagrant societal sin, would be to condemn John the Baptist, Jesus Christ himself, Stephen, Peter, and Paul (Matt. 3:7; 23:13-39; Acts 7:51; 8:20; 13:10).

Miguel de Molinos, author of The Spiritual Guide, and father of Quietism. He taught mental passivity, emotional stoicism, and self-annihilation. To mortify the flesh and allow the spirit to find its place in perfect contemplation on God. His anti-emotional teaching was condemned by the Catholic Church in 1687. The Spock-like expression in the painting is clear. You can almost hear him calmly say, “Don’t be angry, just look at the candle.”

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