Sunday, November 25, 2018 pm
PROBLEMS CHRISTIANS FACE
Struggling with Anger
Over the past couple of years, we have been addressing problems we face
as Christians. Tonight, I
want to address a subject that we ALL deal with, and far too many
struggle with – anger. What
makes this challenging is the fact that in scripture we find a time for
anger, but more often than not it is associated with sin.
So,
what is anger? What does the
Bible say about anger? How
should we deal with anger?
a.
Defined – to be provoked
or agitated by something as a result of displeasure.
It is a primary emotion meaning one we are born with (others include –
sadness, fear and joy).
It comes in various forms which are sometimes described with different
words – wrath, fury, rage, irritation, etc.
There are at least two root words associated with anger in the Greek New
Testament. The word, ὀργίζω
(orgizō) which
seems to indicate a state of mind that can linger.
The word θυμός (thymos) which is more often translated wrath and is
typically a burning and immediate response.
NOTE: This word is often used to describe the wrath of God.
b.
Described – a problem in
our society. We are living in very angry times.
People are easily offended and react to things they disagree with
showing very little restraint.
Words are said hatefully, property is destroyed and at times
people are injured (physically and emotionally).
Great damage is often done because of anger.
For some it is an ongoing or habitual response, while for others it may
be some trigger point that is occasionally activated.
c.
Spiritually, we deal
with anger as well. How do
we respond when a brother behaves badly OR says something that makes one
uncomfortable? (NOTE: He is not always sinning in doing this, cf.
Galatians 4:16). But how do we respond in THOSE circumstances?
AND how do you respond to sinful behavior?
d.
Sometimes we become
angry with ourselves.
Because of failures, struggles or something we forget to do, we might
become angry with ourselves.
How do we act in these circumstances?
e.
Most of us deal with
anger at times, but how do we manage ourselves when we are angry?
That is what will determine whether we are pleasing to God or
sinning.
NOTE: Just because one becomes angry and raises his voice or becomes
visibly upset, does not necessarily mean he is sinning.
We shall see that in some examples as we proceed.
a.
Acceptable anger –
i.
The anger of God – Psalm
7:11, God is a just judge, And God
is angry with the wicked every day.
Romans 1:18 speaks of the wrath of God being revealed from heaven
against ungodliness…
Romans 2:5-9 again
points to this.
ii.
Jesus became angry -
Cleansing the temple – John 2:15-17 is an example of His reacting to
corruption against God and His temple.
Mark 3:5 – On the Sabbath, Jesus is in a synagogue where a man
with a withered hand is present.
He is being watched so that He might be accused.
Vs. 5 says, And when He had
looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their
hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it
out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.
NOTE what caused His anger, and
how it was accompanied by grief.
iii.
Moses, when he came down
from Mt. Sinai the first time, and he saw the idolatry in the camp, he
became angry and broke the tablets (Exodus 32:19).
And his anger did not subside quickly as he melted the golden
calf and made the people drink it in their waters.
The entire chapter shows Moses acting righteously (we might call
it righteous indignation) as he deals with this rebellious people.
iv.
Ephesians 4:26-27, see
also Psalm 4:4.
v.
James 1:19-20 calls for
us to be slow to wrath. NOTE
it says be slow to anger, not never become angry.
The point is we should not have a tendency toward anger.
b.
Ungodly anger
i.
Acts 7:54-55 – they were
cut to the heart at the preaching of Stephen
ii.
Luke 6:10-11 – on the
same occasion where Jesus was angry, the corrupt leaders were filled
with rage and discussed what they needed to do with Jesus
iii.
Matthew 5:21-22 – Jesus
warned that to be angry with your brother without cause is to be guilty
of judgment.
iv.
Luke 4:28, Jesus when He
was rejected in Nazareth shows the anger of the people as they rejected
His teachings about who He claimed to be.
v.
Luke 15:28 – the brother
of the prodigal
Ephesians 4:31 – let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil
speaking be put away from you. (Colossians 3:8)
c.
Addressed in the
proverbs – 14:17, A quick-tempered
man acts foolishly, And a man of wicked intentions is hated.
Proverbs 29:20, Do you see a man
hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Proverbs 29:22,
An angry man stirs up strife, And a furious man abounds in transgression.
d.
1 Timothy 2:8 – lift up
holy hands without wrath and doubting.
a.
Remember you are to be a
Christian at all times.
That means you must possess self-control in your responses.
Remember your need to love others.
b.
Reflection (examination)
is always good.
If you find yourself being angry more often than you should or
for the wrong reasons, OR if you find yourself responding sinfully in
anger, is there something behind it?
For example, is there sinful struggles in your life that have
made you more vulnerable?
Have you become spiritually weaker and thus less controlled?
WHAT can you do about these things?
So often, the way we respond to circumstances are just a symptom of
something deeper. You need
to DEAL with the root cause.
c.
Develop patience (longsuffering)
– Proverbs 25:15,
By long forbearance a ruler is
persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.
James 3:17- the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle,
willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and
without hypocrisy.
d.
We MUST control our
anger.
Slow to anger - James 1:19-20.
Proverbs 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.
Ephesians 4:26 – be
angry and do not sin!
Pause and think before you react – give the benefit of the doubt, etc.
Remember our need for kindness – 1 Corinthians 13:4, 1 Peter 3:8 --
tenderhearted
e.
A soft answer
- Proverbs 15:1. One of the best ways to diffuse anger is by you being
calm.
f.
When possible, avoid situations and people who might provoke you to anger
– 1 Corinthians 15:33
g.
Instead of responding
with bitterness and wrath, work to correct that which angers you
(if you can)
h.
If you sin, repent and
pray.
IF you have hurt someone and caused them to become angry take
care of it – Matthew 5:23-24, Luke 17:3-4
These are some things for us to consider as we think about the subject
of anger. Is anger a problem
in your life?