And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. (Ephesians 4:26-27)
There are bound to be things that will happen to us in this life that will cause us to get angry. Plans don’t always do the way we thought. People will fail us. We will be wronged in some way. We will witness some injustice done to someone we love and care for. Someone will say something hurtful intentionally or unintentionally. There will be many justifiable situations that will cause us to get angry, but we must not allow anger to control us. When we allow anger to control us sin will most certainly creep in and will wreck havoc in our lives.
Sometimes it is easier said than done to not sin when we get angry. I don’t know about you but I feel like I just want to say everything that is on my mind to my offender. In my human anger I want to lash out and defend myself. However, our human anger does not produce anything good and most surely does not produce the righteousness that our Lord desires. That is why we must all be quick to listen, SLOW to speak, and SLOW to get angry. (James 1:19-20)
In doing this study I found a quote by Epictetus a Greek philosopher who said, “Nature has given to man one tongue, but two ears, that we may hear from others twice as much as we speak.” This is a great statement and something to remember when we are angry. Often times when people become angry they stop listening and are start speaking way too much. We must remember that once our words are spoken they can never be taken back. Our words can either build up or tear down. All too often out of anger there are harsh words, slander, and other evil behavior. Solomon has words of wisdom about anger and venting.
“Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.” Proverbs 29:11
“There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.” Proverbs 29:20
“An angry person starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin.” Proverbs 29:22
Allowing our selves to be controlled by anger is to follow the desires of our sinful nature. Outbursts of anger, quarreling, dissension, division, and hostility are the fruit that are produced when we have given the devil a foothold in our lives through the doorway of anger. Since we belong to Christ Jesus we have to nail the passions and desires of our sinful nature, in this case anger, to His cross and crucify it there. Then we can produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives which are love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:19-23)
Let us remember what Ephesians 5:1 says, ‘Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children.” Therefore we should deal with anger the way that our heavenly Father does.
• Being slow to anger – The LORD passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.” (Exodus 34:6, Psalm 103:8)
• Allowing our anger to last only a moment - For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. (Psalm 30:5)
• Letting things go and not constantly accusing - He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. (Psalm 103:9) For I will not fight against you forever; I will not always be angry. (Isaiah 57:16)
• Being gracious, merciful and FORGIVING – Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted MERCY, kindness, humility, gentleness, and PATIENCE. (Colossians 3:12) The LORD is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. (Numbers 14:18) They refused to obey and did not remember the miracles you had done for them. Instead, they became stubborn and appointed a leader to take them back to their slavery in Egypt! But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. You did not abandon them, (Nehemiah 9:17) Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. (Colossians 3:13)
• Hold back your fury. Remember that people are imperfect. Make allowance for each other’s faults - Yet he was merciful and forgave their sins and did not destroy them all. Many times he held back his anger and did not unleash his fury! For he remembered that they were merely mortal, gone like a breath of wind that never returns. (Psalm 78:38-39) Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. (Colossians 3:13)
There are bound to be things that will happen to us in this life that will cause us to get angry. Plans don’t always do the way we thought. People will fail us. We will be wronged in some way. We will witness some injustice done to someone we love and care for. Someone will say something hurtful intentionally or unintentionally. There will be many justifiable situations that will cause us to get angry, but we must not allow anger to control us. When we allow anger to control us sin will most certainly creep in and will wreck havoc in our lives.
Sometimes it is easier said than done to not sin when we get angry. I don’t know about you but I feel like I just want to say everything that is on my mind to my offender. In my human anger I want to lash out and defend myself. However, our human anger does not produce anything good and most surely does not produce the righteousness that our Lord desires. That is why we must all be quick to listen, SLOW to speak, and SLOW to get angry. (James 1:19-20)
In doing this study I found a quote by Epictetus a Greek philosopher who said, “Nature has given to man one tongue, but two ears, that we may hear from others twice as much as we speak.” This is a great statement and something to remember when we are angry. Often times when people become angry they stop listening and are start speaking way too much. We must remember that once our words are spoken they can never be taken back. Our words can either build up or tear down. All too often out of anger there are harsh words, slander, and other evil behavior. Solomon has words of wisdom about anger and venting.
“Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.” Proverbs 29:11
“There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.” Proverbs 29:20
“An angry person starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin.” Proverbs 29:22
Allowing our selves to be controlled by anger is to follow the desires of our sinful nature. Outbursts of anger, quarreling, dissension, division, and hostility are the fruit that are produced when we have given the devil a foothold in our lives through the doorway of anger. Since we belong to Christ Jesus we have to nail the passions and desires of our sinful nature, in this case anger, to His cross and crucify it there. Then we can produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives which are love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:19-23)
Let us remember what Ephesians 5:1 says, ‘Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children.” Therefore we should deal with anger the way that our heavenly Father does.
• Being slow to anger – The LORD passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.” (Exodus 34:6, Psalm 103:8)
• Allowing our anger to last only a moment - For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. (Psalm 30:5)
• Letting things go and not constantly accusing - He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. (Psalm 103:9) For I will not fight against you forever; I will not always be angry. (Isaiah 57:16)
• Being gracious, merciful and FORGIVING – Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted MERCY, kindness, humility, gentleness, and PATIENCE. (Colossians 3:12) The LORD is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. (Numbers 14:18) They refused to obey and did not remember the miracles you had done for them. Instead, they became stubborn and appointed a leader to take them back to their slavery in Egypt! But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. You did not abandon them, (Nehemiah 9:17) Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. (Colossians 3:13)
• Hold back your fury. Remember that people are imperfect. Make allowance for each other’s faults - Yet he was merciful and forgave their sins and did not destroy them all. Many times he held back his anger and did not unleash his fury! For he remembered that they were merely mortal, gone like a breath of wind that never returns. (Psalm 78:38-39) Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. (Colossians 3:13)
My Lord help us to be merciful to others when we have been wronged or provoked to anger. We desire to imitate you and be slow to anger full of mercy and grace ready to forgive our offenders. Help us to make allowance for each other’s faults Lord. Clothe us with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and most of all LOVE. Thank you for the Holy Spirit which produces the fruit of self- control in our lives. In Christ Jesus name..Amen.
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5 comments:
You're absolutely right, I know. I have had a problem with anger, partly on my own account but partly because I hate seeing cruelty to others. As you say, it tends to be a destructive emotion which drags the angry person down to the level of those they are angry with. It is, as you say, a foothold for the devil. Blessings to you who have been used to speak the Lord's counsel.
Postscript: feel free to visit my blog if you wish: http://threeswans.blogspot.com
Thanks Andrew..it's true we do get dragged down with anger. it's a heavy burden to carry. It's better to leave our offenders in God's hands and pray for them. I will visit your blog soon. Thanks again..
This says it all:
"My Lord help us to be merciful to others when we have been wronged or provoked to anger. We desire to imitate you and be slow to anger full of mercy and grace ready to forgive our offenders. Help us to make allowance for each other’s faults Lord. Clothe us with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and most of all LOVE. Thank you for the Holy Spirit which produces the fruit of self- control in our lives. In Christ Jesus name..Amen."
Amen..Lisa
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