ANGER

ANGER

UNCONTROLLED ANGER

WHEN DOES ANGER BECOME SIN?

BIBLE READING: Genesis 4:1-16

KEY BIBLE VERSE: “Why are you so angry?” the LORD asked him. “Why do you look so dejected?” (Genesis 4:6)

UNCONTROLLED ANGER WILL LEAD TO SIN.

The Bible does not say why God rejected Cain’s offering. Perhaps Cain’s attitude was improper, or perhaps his offering was not up to God’s standards. God evaluates both our motives and the quality of what we offer him. When we give to God and others, we should have a joyful heart because of what we are able to give.

How do you react when someone suggests you have done something wrong? Do you move to correct the mistake or deny that you need to correct it? After Cain’s offering was rejected, God gave him the chance to right his wrong and try again. God even encouraged him to do this! But Cain refused, and the rest of his life is a startling example of what happens to those who refuse to admit their mistakes. The next time someone suggests you are wrong, take an honest look at yourself and choose God’s way instead of Cain’s.

BIBLE READING: Genesis 27:1-41

KEY BIBLE VERSE: Esau hated Jacob because he had stolen his blessing, and he said to himself, “My father will soon be dead and gone. Then I will kill Jacob.” (Genesis 27:41)

ANGER IS OFTEN THE RESULT OF BAD DECISIONS.

Esau was so angry at Jacob that he failed to see his own wrong in giving away his birthright in the first place. Jealous anger keeps us from seeing the benefits we have and makes us dwell on what we don’t have.

When Esau lost the valuable family blessing, his future suddenly changed. Reacting in anger, he decided to kill Jacob. When you lose something of great value, or if others conspire against you and succeed, anger is the first and most natural reaction. But you can control your feelings by (1) recognizing your reaction for what it is; (2) praying for strength; and (3) asking God for help to see the opportunities that even your bad situation may provide.

BIBLE READING: James 3:1-12

KEY BIBLE VERSE: The tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself. (James 3:6)

ANGER’S CHOICE TOOL IS THE TONGUE.

James compares the damage the tongue can do to a raging fire-the tongue’s wickedness has its source in hell itself. The uncontrolled tongue can do terrible damage. Satan uses the tongue to divide people and pit them against one another. Idle words are damaging because they spread destruction quickly, and no one can stop the results once they are spoken. We dare not be careless with our words, thinking we can apologize later, for even if we do, the scars remain. A few words spoken in anger can destroy a relationship that took years to build. Before you speak, remember that words are like fire-you can neither control nor reverse the damage they can do.

CONTROLLED ANGER

HOW CAN WE BE ANGRY WITHOUT SINNING?

BIBLE READING: Mark 3:5

KEY BIBLE VERSE: He looked around at them angrily, because he was deeply disturbed by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Reach out your hand.” The man reached out his hand, and it became normal again! (Mark 3:5)

ANGER CAN BE A HOLY RESPONSE TO SIN.

Jesus was angry about the Pharisees’ uncaring attitudes. Anger itself is not wrong. It depends on what makes us angry and what we do with our anger. Too often we express our anger in selfish and harmful ways. By contrast, Jesus expressed his anger by correcting a problem-healing the man’s hand. Use your anger to find constructive solutions rather than tear people down.

BIBLE READING: Mark 11:15-19

KEY BIBLE VERSE: He taught them, “The Scriptures declare, ’My Temple will be called a place of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” (Mark 11:17)

ANGER DOES NOT HAVE TO LEAD TO SIN.

Jesus became angry, but he did not sin. There is a place for righteous indignation. Christians are right to be upset about sin and injustice and should take a stand against them. Unfortunately, believers are often passive about these important issues and instead get angry over personal insults and petty irritations. Make sure your anger is directed toward the right issues.

BIBLE READING: Matthew 5:21-26

KEY BIBLE VERSE: But I say, if you are angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the high council. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell. (Matthew 5:22)

ANGER IS A DANGER SIGNAL.

When Jesus said, “But I say,” he was not doing away with the law or adding to it his own beliefs. Rather, he was giving a fuller understanding of why God made that law in the first place. For example, when Moses said, “Do not murder” (Exodus 20:13), Jesus taught, “Don’t even become angry enough to murder, for then you have already committed murder in your heart.” The Pharisees read this law and, not having murdered, felt righteous. Yet they were angry enough with Jesus that they would soon plot his murder, though they would not do the dirty work themselves. We miss the intent of God’s Word when we read his rules for living without trying to understand why he made them. When do you keep God’s rules but close your eyes to his intent?

Killing is a terrible sin, but anger is a great sin too because it also violates God’s command to love. Anger in this case refers to a seething, brooding bitterness against someone. It is a dangerous emotion that always threatens to leap out of control, leading to violence, emotional hurt, increased mental stress, and spiritual damage. Anger keeps us from developing a spirit pleasing to God. Have you ever been proud that you didn’t strike out and say what was really on your mind? Self-control is good, but Christ wants us to practice thought-control as well. Jesus said we will be held accountable even for our attitudes.

HOW DOES GOD EXPRESS HIS ANGER?

BIBLE READING: Romans 1:18-32

KEY BIBLE VERSE: But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who push the truth away from themselves. (Romans 1:18)

GOD’S ANGER IS DIRECTED AT SIN.

Why is God angry at sinful people? Because they have substituted the truth about him with a fantasy of their own imagination (Romans 1:25). They have stifled the truth God naturally reveals to all people in order to believe anything that supports their own self-centered lifestyles. God cannot tolerate sin because his nature is morally perfect. He cannot ignore or condone such willful rebellion. He wants to remove the sin and restore the sinner-if the sinner does not distort or reject the truth. But his anger erupts against those who persist in sinning.

GOD’S WORD ON ANGER

A fire burns and consumes. It is called anger-smoldering, flaming, at times white hot. Anger ispassion. Of all emotions, it may well be the most passionate, for it has the power to fuel hatred and smother love. Anger itself is not bad; it is not wrong. God himself gets angry. What we need to look at are the object of our anger, our motive for anger, and the outcome of our anger. Anger that is self-righteous, protects our pride, is self-centered, or demands its own way is dangerous. If allowed to continue unchecked, it consumes us. This kind of anger seeks harm and revenge; it seeks to destroy. Thus it can lead to bitterness and hatred, emotions that can cause violent behavior and obliterate compassion and forgiveness.

God’s anger, however, is directed against sin and unrighteousness. He blazes hot against evil. His anger, like ours, becomes a consuming fire, but its focus is to eradicate the sin, not destroy the sinner. Our anger often consumes others and even ourselves; God’s anger burns against evil and becomes a cleansing fire. The fires of our anger may aggravate our sinfulness and self-righteousness. His anger burns away sinfulness and allows the gold to emerge and make us fit for the Master’s use.

WHY DO WE USUALLY GET ANGRY?

Numbers 22:29 . . . “Because you have made me look like a fool!” Balaam shouted.

We get angry when our pride is hurt.

Genesis 4:3-7 . . . The Lord accepted Abel’s offering, but he did not accept Cain’s. This made Cain very angry and dejected.

We get angry when someone else is acknowledged over us.

2 Chronicles 26:16-21 . . . “Get out of the sanctuary, for you have sinned . . .” Uzziah was furious and refused to set down the incense burner he was holding.

Esther 3:1-6 . . . Mordecai refused to bow down or show [Haman] respect . . . [Haman] was filled with rage.

We get angry when we don’t get our way.

1 Samuel 18:8 . . . This made Saul very angry. “What’s this?” he said. “They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands.”

We get angry when we become jealous of what others have or have done.

1 Kings 22:15-27 . . . “Didn’t I tell you,” the king of Israel said . . . “He never prophesies anything but bad news for me . . . Put this man in prison, and feed him nothing but bread and water.”

We get angry when we are confronted about our sinful actions and are exposed.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF ANGER?

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Genesis 27:41-43 . . . Esau hated Jacob because he had stolen his blessing, and he said to himself . . . “I will kill Jacob.” But someone got wind of what Esau was planning and reported it to Rebekah. She sent for Jacob and told him . . . “Flee to your uncle Laban in Haran.”

Anger isolates us from others.

Psalm 37:8 . . . Stop your anger! . . . Do not envy others-it only leads to harm.

James 1:19-20 . . . Your anger can never make things right in God’s sight.

Anger produces ungodliness and evil motives in us.

1 Samuel 20:30-31 . . . Saul boiled with rage at Jonathan . . . “As long as that son of Jesse is alive, you’ll never be king. Now go and get him so I can kill him!”

Anger blinds us to what is really good and right. Saul’s jealous anger blinded him to the fact that God had already chosen David to be the next king because of his godly character.

Genesis 4:1-12 . . . This made Cain very angry . . . Later . . . Cain attacked and killed his brother.

Anger in its strongest form can lead to murder.

Proverbs 15:1 . . . A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up to anger.

Anger leads to conflict and arguments.

When we are angry, what should we avoid?

2 Corinthians 2:5-7 . . . [The man who caused all the trouble] was punished enough when most of you were united in your judgment against him. Now it is time to forgive him and comfort him.

Ephesians 6:4 . . . Don’t make your children angry by the way you scold them.

Avoid discipline in the heat of anger.

James 3:5 . . . The tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do.

Avoid speaking your mind when you are angry. You are bound to say something you will regret.

1 Samuel 19:9-10 . . . As David played his harp for the king, Saul hurled his spear at David in an attempt to kill him.

Avoid acting on impulse in the heat of anger. You are bound to do something you will regret.

WHEN IS IT OK TO BE ANGRY?

John 2:13-17 . . . [Jesus] drove out the sheep and oxen, scattered the money changers’ coins . . . and . . . told them, “Get these things out of here. Don’t turn my Father’s house into a marketplace!”

Numbers 25:10-11 . . . Phinehas . . . has turned my anger away from the Israelites by displaying passionate zeal among them on my behalf.

Anger at sin is not only appropriate, but necessary.

WE ALL GET ANGRY AT TIMES, SO WHAT SHOULD WE DO ABOUT IT?

Ephesians 4:26 . . . Don’t sin by letting anger gain control over you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil.

Anger is like a skunk in the house. Don’t feed it to encourage it to stay. And try to get rid of it as soon as possible.

Matthew 5:21-26 . . . You have heard that the law of Moses says, “Do not murder.” . . . But I say, if you are angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! . . . Go and be reconciled to that person.

Confront those with whom you are angry in order to restore your relationship.

1 Corinthians 13:5 . . . Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged.

Love is the mightiest weapon in overcoming anger.

YOU MUST NEVER PROVOKE YOUR FAMILY TO ANGER.

Proverbs 11:29 . . . Those who bring trouble on their families inherit only the wind.

Ephesians 6:4 . . . Don’t make your children angry by the way you scold them.

To knowingly provoke your family to anger consumes the binding force, love, that bonds your family together. The control you seek actually enslaves you, for those you sought to lead have left you to your own devices.

WHAT CAUSES GOD TO GET ANGRY?

Romans 1:18 . . . God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who push the truth away from themselves.

Deuteronomy 4:25 . . . Do not corrupt yourselves by making idols of any kind. This is evil in the sight of the Lord your God and will arouse his anger.

God cannot wink at or tolerate sin, for sin is a violation of his righteousness and his demands for holy living.

Judges 2:12-14 . . . They abandoned the Lord . . . This made the Lord burn with anger against Israel.

God’s anger at our sin may result in discipline. The discipline is not designed to destroy, but to correct and redirect.

HOW CAN I STOP GOD’S ANGER AGAINST ME?

2 Chronicles 12:12 . . . Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the Lord’s anger was turned aside.

Humility quenches God’s burning anger.

Psalm 30:5 . . . His anger lasts for a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime!

Recognize God’s discipline, stop your sinful actions, and enjoy a restored relationship with him.

HOW SHOULD I DEAL WITH MY OWN ANGER IN RELATIONSHIPS?

Ephesians 4:26 . . . Don’t sin by letting anger gain control over you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry.

Ephesians 4:31-32 . . . Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Proverbs 37:8 . . . Stop your anger! Turn from your rage! Do not envy others-it only leads to harm.

Proverbs 19:11 . . . People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs.

Anger must be dealt with quickly before it becomes bitterness, hatred, or revenge. As hard as it sounds, kindness and forgiveness melts anger away.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH AN ANGRY PERSON?

Proverbs 29:8 . . . Mockers can get a whole town agitated, but those who are wise will calm anger.

Proverbs 15:1 . . . A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger.

Proverbs 22:24-25 . . . Keep away from angry, short-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.

Reacting to anger with anger almost always intensifies the problem. Wisdom and gentleness almost always calms the angry person.

HOW CAN I AVOID DISCIPLINING OUT OF ANGER?

Hebrews 12:6 . . . The Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children.

Ephesians 6:4 . . . Now a word to you fathers. Don’t make your children angry by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord.

Avoid discipline until your anger has subsided. When you discipline someone, make sure your heart is filled with love for that person, not anger.

WHEN IS IT OK TO BE ANGRY?

John 2:13-17 . . . [Jesus] drove out the sheep and oxen, scattered the money changers’ coins. . . .and. . . .told them, “Get these things out of here. Don’t turn my Father’s house into a marketplace!”

Numbers 25:11 . . . Phinehas. . . .has turned my anger away from the Israelites by displaying passionate zeal among them on my behalf.

Anger at sin is not only appropriate, but necessary.

PROMISE FROM GOD:

Psalm 103:8 . . . The Lord is merciful and gracious; he is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love.