David A. Powlison

We are meant to live with God on the throne, with a wide-open heart to him and others. But a contentious, judgmental person has shrivelled up inside, shutting down to both God and neighbour. On the outside, a contentious person speaks rotten words that tear down rather than build up and condemn rather than give grace (Ephesians 4:29). On the inside, a person swept up in sinful anger has become demonic and diabolical—in the truest sense—an image-bearer of the hostile critic of God’s people (James 3:15;4:7).