Anger
No doubt we all struggle with anger. Anger is a natural human emotion. The emotion of anger is not sin; misplaced anger, acted out in an unrighteous way, leads to sin. If there is one that we feel strongly about, it is anger. For this reason, many of us struggle with this emotion.
Learning how to manage this emotion is part of our sanctification and spiritual growth.
1. There is an appropriate (righteous) anger that, in the end, glorifies God.
2. There is an inappropriate (unrighteous) anger that leads to sin.
Righteous anger rises up against those things that are wicked and are an offense to God, His name, His Holiness, and His Word. Even when we see an offense against our God, we must exercise caution in how we respond in our anger. God is perfectly just, holy, and righteous; we must pray and ask for God’s guidance on how to respond. I have known people who claim righteous anger, yet their actions completely contradict Scripture. God always acts within the boundaries of His Character. The wrath of God is never unjust or unholy, for God is perfect in love, abounding in mercy, grace, and longsuffering. Psalm 7:11 NIV: God is a righteous judge, a God who displays his wrath every day.
For example, I have at times felt a righteous anger, and yet my actions were completely out of my flesh. We can have righteous anger over the wickedness we see in our culture that is a direct affront to God, his name, his holiness, and his word. I feel anger over those things, yet I must glorify God with my actions. If I am not careful, my actions could bring dishonor to the name of Christ. We must use Godly discernment and walk in step with the Holy Spirit of God. Some of what we are witnessing that is so blatantly wicked is God giving people over in his righteous wrath and judgment. The Apostle Paul in Romans chapter one clearly demonstrates God giving over people to their own wicked desires. Nahum 1::2-3 ESV: The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and wrathful; the LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies. The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. Psalms 145:8-9 KJV: The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
The question is not if we get angry, but rather how we will respond when those emotions are present. Our actions will determine the outcome. Unrighteous anger stems from personal offense to our egos, pride, or self-esteem. Knowing the difference between unrighteous and righteous anger is foundational to how we respond when we experience them. Ecclesiastes 7:9 ESV: Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools.
Two important keys when dealing with anger.
1. Be slow to become angry.
2. Don’t let anger linger.
We are warned against reacting quickly to anger. We are to be slow to become angry. Mature men and women of God process the offense that brought on the emotion of anger. They are not reactive but self-controlled. Fits of rage and outbursts of anger are signs of immaturity. They are a sign he has not yet learned to bridle his emotions. Mature men and Women weigh their emotions and actions before they respond. This is not passivity, but posture. When we disengage our brains from processing our emotions, the outcome is rarely, if ever, a good one.
James chapter one also shares this nugget of wisdom. James 1:19-20 ESV: Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
1. Be quick to hear. If you skip this step, your mouth and your actions will get ahead of your thoughtful, sensible response. The mouth is always in gear, but you need to engage the clutch, your brain, before you open your mouth or respond in haste. Proverbs 18:13 ESV: If one gives an answer before he hears it is his folly and shame. First, we must listen to what is being said by the person or persons. Secondly, we must listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
2. Be slow to speak.
Proverbs 10:19 ESV: When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever
restrains his lips is prudent.
Proverbs 15:1-2 LSB: A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 18:6-7 LSB: A fool’s lips come with strife, And his mouth calls for beatings. A fool’s
mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
James 3:5 LSB: Behold how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our existence, and is set on fire by hell.
3. Be slow to become angry. Why? Because the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Hastily acting out in unrighteous anger of man will never bring glory and honor to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Anger can be used either for destruction or for good when exercised in a righteous way before God and man. Paul told the Ephesians, “Be angry, do not sin, do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity for the devil. We do not want our anger to be used as an opportunity for the devil’s work.
In Christ,
Pastor John
Learning how to manage this emotion is part of our sanctification and spiritual growth.
1. There is an appropriate (righteous) anger that, in the end, glorifies God.
2. There is an inappropriate (unrighteous) anger that leads to sin.
Righteous anger rises up against those things that are wicked and are an offense to God, His name, His Holiness, and His Word. Even when we see an offense against our God, we must exercise caution in how we respond in our anger. God is perfectly just, holy, and righteous; we must pray and ask for God’s guidance on how to respond. I have known people who claim righteous anger, yet their actions completely contradict Scripture. God always acts within the boundaries of His Character. The wrath of God is never unjust or unholy, for God is perfect in love, abounding in mercy, grace, and longsuffering. Psalm 7:11 NIV: God is a righteous judge, a God who displays his wrath every day.
For example, I have at times felt a righteous anger, and yet my actions were completely out of my flesh. We can have righteous anger over the wickedness we see in our culture that is a direct affront to God, his name, his holiness, and his word. I feel anger over those things, yet I must glorify God with my actions. If I am not careful, my actions could bring dishonor to the name of Christ. We must use Godly discernment and walk in step with the Holy Spirit of God. Some of what we are witnessing that is so blatantly wicked is God giving people over in his righteous wrath and judgment. The Apostle Paul in Romans chapter one clearly demonstrates God giving over people to their own wicked desires. Nahum 1::2-3 ESV: The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and wrathful; the LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies. The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. Psalms 145:8-9 KJV: The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
The question is not if we get angry, but rather how we will respond when those emotions are present. Our actions will determine the outcome. Unrighteous anger stems from personal offense to our egos, pride, or self-esteem. Knowing the difference between unrighteous and righteous anger is foundational to how we respond when we experience them. Ecclesiastes 7:9 ESV: Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools.
Two important keys when dealing with anger.
1. Be slow to become angry.
2. Don’t let anger linger.
We are warned against reacting quickly to anger. We are to be slow to become angry. Mature men and women of God process the offense that brought on the emotion of anger. They are not reactive but self-controlled. Fits of rage and outbursts of anger are signs of immaturity. They are a sign he has not yet learned to bridle his emotions. Mature men and Women weigh their emotions and actions before they respond. This is not passivity, but posture. When we disengage our brains from processing our emotions, the outcome is rarely, if ever, a good one.
James chapter one also shares this nugget of wisdom. James 1:19-20 ESV: Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
1. Be quick to hear. If you skip this step, your mouth and your actions will get ahead of your thoughtful, sensible response. The mouth is always in gear, but you need to engage the clutch, your brain, before you open your mouth or respond in haste. Proverbs 18:13 ESV: If one gives an answer before he hears it is his folly and shame. First, we must listen to what is being said by the person or persons. Secondly, we must listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
2. Be slow to speak.
Proverbs 10:19 ESV: When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever
restrains his lips is prudent.
Proverbs 15:1-2 LSB: A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 18:6-7 LSB: A fool’s lips come with strife, And his mouth calls for beatings. A fool’s
mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
James 3:5 LSB: Behold how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our existence, and is set on fire by hell.
3. Be slow to become angry. Why? Because the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Hastily acting out in unrighteous anger of man will never bring glory and honor to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Anger can be used either for destruction or for good when exercised in a righteous way before God and man. Paul told the Ephesians, “Be angry, do not sin, do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity for the devil. We do not want our anger to be used as an opportunity for the devil’s work.
In Christ,
Pastor John
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