Be angry and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath.
Ephesians 4:26
Anger is something that everyone has experienced. Unfortunately, sometimes anger can get the best of us. When we yell at someone, lose self-control, break things, use foul language and do various other things, it's time to analyze our anger problem and seek God for help.
Here are a some definitions for the word anger.
Merriam-Webster's dictionary definition:
a strong feeling of displeasure and usually of antagonism; rage
Strong's Concordance - Hebrew (Old Testament) definition:
1. rage, indignation (there are several Hebrew words for anger, but here are two definitions)
2. to be enraged
Strong's Concordance - Greek (New Testament) definition:
violent passion, abhorrence, vengeance, wrath
There are many reasons why it's important to abstain from unbiblical anger. Here is one reason.
Matthew 5:22-24 reads, "But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother (without a cause) shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."
The words "without cause" are in some ancient manuscripts, but they are not in some others. It seems to me that an angry person nearly always has a "cause" or reason that he or she is angry. It would make perfect sense if God was warning us about unbiblical anger or anger without a good cause.
Verse 24 tells us that we shouldn't even come to God with our gifts (good deeds, requests, etc.) before being reconciled with the person to whom our anger is directed. A common thread in the Bible is reconciliation and restoration. We can see how God wants us to have uninterrupted fellowship with Him and with other believers.
1 John 1:9 is a famous and very awesome verse. It plainly tells us that God will forgive our sins and cleanse us when we confess our sins. Praise God for this! Along with asking God for forgiveness, it's also important to forgive the person who wronged you (unless you became angry for absolutely no reason). Forgiving others will fulfill God's will and put things into better perspective.
Have you been renewing your mind? This is a concept that is unknown to many people. Christianity isn't turning over a new leaf. It's not going to church once a week. God has told us that we need to renew our minds (Ephesians 4:23). Even though anger may have been with us since we were very young, we are to give it to God and let Him renew our minds. Only then can we be forgiven, accept forgiveness and begin healing and changing.
Read the following verses and note what they are saying about anger. Hint: they show the right and wrong way to handle things.
Proverb 14:17 "A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of wicked intentions is hated."
Proverb 15:1 "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
Proverb 25:28 "Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls."
Proverb 26:21 "As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife."
Ecclesiastes 7:9 "Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools."
1 Corinthians 13:5 "(Love) does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil."
Now, there is also a right way to handle anger. We are all going to be challenged with unbiblical anger, however, we should remember the following scriptures and cling to them in our time of need.
Psalm 37:1-11 "Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret--it only causes harm. For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; Indeed, you will look carefully for his place, But it shall be no more. But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace."
Proverb 15:28 "The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil."
Proverb 16:32 "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city."
Proverb 29:11 "A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back."
Matthew 5:43-44 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you."
Philippians 4:8-9 "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."
Examine your own life in light of Matthew 5:3-10, Galatians 5:22-23 and 2 Peter 1:5-8. Write the qualities that are most lacking in your life. God wants to use all the circumstances in your life that cause you anger to develop these qualities in your life. When anger is handled sinfully, these qualities cannot be developed.
1. ________________________ 6. _________________________
2. ________________________ 7. _________________________
3. ________________________ 8. ________________________
4. ________________________ 9. ________________________
5. ________________________ 10. ________________________
Stop and think how God can use your present irritations and annoyances to reveal your lack of these qualities and to develop them in you. When you are tempted to become sinfully angry, consider what God may be wanting you to learn from your trial. The following scriptures list some of the benefits that your irritations and problems may bring you. Remember Job 23:10 and Romans 8:28. God has a good purpose for everything that comes into a Christian's life.
Psalm 119:67, 71 "Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes."
Romans 5:3-5 "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
2 Corinthians 1:3-6 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation."
2 Corinthians 12:10 "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Philippians 3:10 "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death."
Hebrews 12:11 "For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness."
James 1:2-5 "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."
1 Peter 1:7 "That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
1 Peter 4:12, 13 "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy."
Sometimes we become angry because we think some "right" is being violated. Consciously recognize that if you are a Christian, you and all you have (your rights included) belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Romans 12:11 and Psalm 24:1). Acknowledge this and dedicate all that you are and have, including your "rights", to God. Trust Him to take care of His property. Cease to think in terms of your "rights" and concentrate on God's will and purpose and promises. For awhile, until the fact that your "rights" belong to God reaches the awareness level (Hebrews 5:4), you will want to specifically dedicate your "rights" to God on a regular basis.
God has given us our emotions, but when we abuse or handle our emotions in an unbiblical way, it is sin. Habit patterns and responses that have been part of us for years are not always easy to change. However, by the power of God, we can change. We can control our anger. We don't need to continue to explode or become bitter.
In order to change, we must plan ahead. Further, we must think biblically and exercise self-control when stressful situations arise. The person who wants to change should review what they are doing on a daily basis.
Psalm 4:4 "Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah"
Self-control is lost when one becomes sinfully angry. Pray that you have self-control. Think about the other areas in your life where you've used God's power and grace to change and give Him control of your life. Next time you are getting angry, take a deep breath and ask God for help. Remember that you need self-control and the rights that you think you have are actually God's. When you face trials, they are so you can be victorious, grow spiritually and glorify God.
Be angry and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath.
Meekness is another quality that is generally lost when sinful anger ensues. The best definition for meekness, that I've heard, is "power under control". We all have some power, but not everyone knows how to control it. Next time you feel like exercising your power, remember what God has told us about being meek.
