Sunday, January 20, 2002

How Can I Overcome Anger In My Life?

Faith Community Church, Pipestone, MN, Dr. Oliver R. Blosser, Pastor

Proverbs 29:11 -  A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it [the thoughts] in till afterwards.

Ecclesiastes 7:9 -   Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

       How can you cope with anger? Are you at times an angry person? What do you do in a situation when someone is angry at you? Does anger control you, or do you control anger? Is it scriptural to control anger?

The Christian must deal with anger in life.

       In a fallen world, we all are challenged to deal with the anger inside us that is a part of our human Adamic nature. It is said of Julius Caesar that when provoked, he would repeat the whole Roman alphabet before he allowed himself to speak. A good thing to remember is that you can’t save face if you lose your head! Anger is something which the Christian must deal with in life.

       Anger is defined as a violent passion of the mind excited by a real or supposed injury; usually accompanied with a propensity to take vengeance, or to obtain satisfaction from the offending party. This passion, however, varies in degrees of violence, and in ingenious minds, may be attended only with the desire to reprove or chide the offender.

 

Righteous indignation is a good emotional form of anger. It is anger directed against sin.

       It must be realized that not all anger is wrong. When the Bible mentions anger, it may be focusing on several different emotions. There is an anger which is known as righteous indignation. This is when the righteous become angry at the manifestation of sin-

٠Righteous indignation against false religion- Moses became angry when he saw the unfaithfulness and idolatrous golden calf made by Israel, Exodus 32:19.

٠Righteous indignation against rebellion toward God- When Jesus healed the man with the withered hand, the legalistic Pharisees complained about it. Jesus looked at them with divine indignation because of the hardness of their human hearts, Mark 3:5.

٠Righteous indignation against the human defilement of the things of God- Though not explicitly stated, anger is implied in the attitude and actions of our Lord as He drove the profiteers from the Temple, Mark 11:15, 17.

٠Righteous indignation against sin in general- Anger can sometimes be called for in our response to sin: Be angry and do not sin, Ephesians 4:26.

This type of anger is directed at sin rather than at the sinner.

Evil passion is a wrong emotional form of anger.

It is an anger directed against the sinner.

The other emotion of anger is directed against the sinner rather than the sin itself. At this point, Satan uses the irritation of the sinner to become a primary opportunity to lead the irritated person toward evil passion. The problem which each person faces is this- How am I going to handle my anger?

The text of Proverbs 29:11 reminds us that, A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise person keeps himself under control. Thus the fool will lose his/her temper, while the wiser person will practice anger management. The Christian must be careful of his/her responses, remembering that one’s position may be right while the accompanying attitudes may be wrong.

What are the root causes of anger or evil passion?

Anger has been in the world since the fall into sin. There are certain elements in man’s fallen nature which will trigger anger toward others. The Bible identifies these elements as-

c Jealousy.  Proverbs 6:34- For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

٠ Envy.  Proverbs 27:4- Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

٠ Lack of self-government. Proverbs 19:19-  A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again. Proverbs 25:28- He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

٠ Pride.  Proverbs 21:24- Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

٠ Scorn. Proverbs 29:8-9- Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath. If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.

٠ Impatience.  Ecclesiastes 7:9- Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

Do you have one or more of these elements of your fallen nature dominating in your life? If so, then it will become the root cause of anger in your life. Deal with the root cause to overcome anger.

What is the nature of an angry

person of evil passion?

٠ The angry person will explode with outburst of tempter or bad language.

٠ The angry person will experience the urge to get even because of bitterness, resentment and hostility.

٠ The angry person endures inner turmoil through the loss of the sense of tranquility and well-being, Neither give place to the devil, Ephesians 4:27.

٠ The angry person engages self to bring harm to others.

٠ The angry person evokes strife. A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife, Proverbs 15:18.  Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife, Proverbs 30:33.

Because the angry person is out of control, Jesus

warns of the punishment which will come to the unrepentant person, But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire, Matthew 5:22. The Bible warns against friendship with an angry person- Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul, Proverbs 22:24-25. The reason for this Biblical warning is that-

٠ Anger leads to strife (quarreling).   The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with, Proverbs 17:14.

٠ Anger leads to slaughter.  And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? Genesis 4:6. Beware, as anger and hatred can lead to murder.

٠ Anger always leads to sin. An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression, Proverbs 29:22.

The Biblical solution to anger is self-control and prayer.

٠ The angry person needs self-control at a time of conflict. 

Proverbs 25:28- He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

James 1:19- Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.

٠The angry person needs to give his/her problems with others to the Lord through prayer.

I Timothy 2:8-  I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

٠The angry person needs to remember that it is better to practice the principles which Jesus taught regarding one’s enemies, Matthew 5:1 - 7:27.

 

How can you deal with anger when confronted by an angry person in a difficult situation?

٠ Practice self-control over your own spirit.

Proverbs 14:29- He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

Proverbs 15:18- A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

Proverbs 16:32   He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

٠ Speak softly to the angry person.

Proverbs 15:1- A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

٠Use discretion in the situation.

Proverbs 19:11- The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

٠ If necessary, appease anger with a gift.

Proverbs 21:14-  A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

٠Be willing to be forgiving.

Proverbs 12:16- A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

How can you deal with the problem of anger in yourself or in someone whom you are mentoring?

٠ Don’t take offense where none is intended.

Matthew 5:22a-  But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.

٠Don’t be quick to get angry.

James 1:19- Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.

٠Practice self-control through prayer.

Psalm 37:8- Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

٠Don’t stay angry.

Ephesians 4:26- Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.

Colossians 3:8- But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

٠Don’t answer anger with anger.

I Peter 2:23- Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.

Proverbs 15:1- A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

٠Seek peace with everyone.

Hebrews 12:14- Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

٠Yield to the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:16- This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

٠Find healing through the study of the Word of God.

Colossians 3:16-  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

 

God’s Word will heal you of emotional hurt and help you to overcome feelings of anger! It will develop in you the attitudes of Jesus Christ.