An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins (Proverbs 29:22)
Is your anger righteous or just plain bitter?
Here is a simple fact: Either you learn to control your temper, or your temper will control you. How many of us have suffered tremendous heartache because we lost our temper and spoke at a crucial moment when we should have remained silent?
We all know anger is a powerful emotion that can be used for good or evil. Anger isn't always wrong. For instance, anger is one of the attributes of God. Did you know the Bible speaks of God's anger over a hundred times? We know God never sins, yet Scripture repeatedly mentions His anger toward sin and disobedience. There are also times when anger is justified and even righteous. Ephesians 4:26 says, "In your anger do not sin."
Even though anger can be beneficial, even righteous anger can quickly lead us in the wrong direction. The same verse that says, "In your anger do not sin," adds, "Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry." That means don’t go to bed angry.
You can't communicate with your spouse or children as long as you carry a grudge. You may talk, but your spouse hears only the anger inside. You may listen, but your resentment blocks the message from coming through clearly. The weight of negative emotions clogs the lines of communication, preventing real understanding.
Commenting on this principle, one man wrote the following note:
We all know anger is a powerful emotion that can be used for good or evil. Anger isn't always wrong. For instance, anger is one of the attributes of God. Did you know the Bible speaks of God's anger over a hundred times? We know God never sins, yet Scripture repeatedly mentions His anger toward sin and disobedience. There are also times when anger is justified and even righteous. Ephesians 4:26 says, "In your anger do not sin."
Even though anger can be beneficial, even righteous anger can quickly lead us in the wrong direction. The same verse that says, "In your anger do not sin," adds, "Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry." That means don’t go to bed angry.
You can't communicate with your spouse or children as long as you carry a grudge. You may talk, but your spouse hears only the anger inside. You may listen, but your resentment blocks the message from coming through clearly. The weight of negative emotions clogs the lines of communication, preventing real understanding.
Commenting on this principle, one man wrote the following note:
Beth and I were challenged to make a vow before we were married to never let the sun go down on our anger. The pastor who married us read from Ephesians 4, and we vowed before God and the pastor to never go to bed angry. That was over 30 years ago. I can say that this was the best bit of advice we have ever received. We have never gone to bed angry yet—but we've certainly had some late nights talking things out before we fell asleep.
What happens when you don't deal with your anger? It settles deep in your heart, hardens like concrete, distorts your personality, squeezes out your joy, and oozes the smelly, black gunk of unhappiness over your life.
Jesus has shown us the way. You don't have to live in anger and bitterness over how people treat you. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, your life can be different.
Lord Jesus, thank You for showing us how to live. May Your love replace any anger in my heart. Amen.
- The first step to healing is admitting you have a problem.
- Unfortunately, many of us put on a good public face, but behind locked gates and stone walls, we hide a private face of anger and hatred.
- Ask the Lord Jesus to help you control your anger.
- Name the sin, confess it, and claim the power of the indwelling Christ.
- Share your struggles with a trusted friend.
- If you have someone who will hold you accountable, you're much less likely to say or do something foolish.
Jesus has shown us the way. You don't have to live in anger and bitterness over how people treat you. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, your life can be different.
Lord Jesus, thank You for showing us how to live. May Your love replace any anger in my heart. Amen.
Questions to help you reflect:
- When was the last time you got angry?
- What happened?
- Are you satisfied with how you handled the situation?
- What signs in your life indicate that your anger has shifted from righteous to unrighteous?
Posted in Pastors Page