BIBLICAL VIEW | ANGER (4)

1. Introduction
 
a) Anger is a strong feeling of displeasure aroused by a wrong.
 
b) It can be a sorrow, a grief which can rise to levels of wrath, rage, irritation and violent frustration.
 
2. Avoid hot tempered people...

Proverbs 22:24-25 New International Version (NIV) 

24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person,
    do not associate with one easily angered,
25 or you may learn their ways
    and get yourself ensnared. 


a) Being calm does not mean we must never speak in a way that expresses anger by tone or volume.

b) Such anger is not necessarily wrong.

c) But don't speak to

i) Hurt.

ii) Get even.

iii) Antagonize.

d) Stay calm enough to say what is "helpful."

e) If the other person loses it, then you speak to show you are under control.

3. Work to solve the problem that caused the rage...

a) Sadly, we lower ourselves to attack the person, instead of attacking the problem... 

Find out what really angered you or the other person...

i) Separate the act of anger from the person.

ii) Seek to destroy the sin problem and yet help the person who is angry.

iii) If an issue is not worth the emotional response, diffuse it's power.

iv) If it is imaginary or totally unreasonable to worry over, say so.

v) Isolate fact from fiction.

vi) If the issue is legit, what actions are reasonable to take?

vii) Holding a grudge solves nothing, but will eat you up.

viii) Go and talk to the person who caused the problem (see Matthew 5:22-24; Luke 17:3-4). Being angry without cause is not right; neither is saying cruel, hurtful things. If you have something against someone, or if they have something against you, either way go talk.talk for the purpose of being reconciled (see Matthew 18:15-17).

ix) Don't let the sun go down on your wrath (see Ephesians 4:26). Do not let it fester. Deal with it as soon as possible. The longer the problem simmers, the harder it will be to reach a resolution...

x) Say only what is necessary to solve the problem...keep the past out of the conversation. Nothing is gained by trying to get advantage by piling onto the other individual - you want to solve the problem, right?

xi) Be willing to listen in case you may be wrong, or misunderstand, or have incomplete information.

xii) Do not be quick to jump to conclusions and be like those who condemned and judged Joseph, had him jailed - even when he was not guilty of any inappropriate thoughts or behavior.

xiii) Attend to your own sin. Judge only your own sins (see Matthew 7:3-5).

xiv) Be quick to apologize to anyone your words or actions may have hurt - the magic words are - "I was wrong. I am sorry. Please forgive me."

xv) It's amazing how powerful and healing these few words are! 

b) There is no "righteous anger" for us to participate in. Only the Righteous Judge has the credentials. GOD is not angry to be mean or selfish. We don't qualify!

c) "A wise man restrains his anger and overlooks insults (see Proverbs 19:11). This is to his credit." 

4. Our assignment for the rest of our lives is...

Ephesians 4:31-32 New International Version (NIV)

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.   

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