Introduction 

"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:31-32, NKJV)

"So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." (James 1:19-20, NKJV)

I.                    Anger and Bitterness

Introduction: What do Moses, King David, the prophet Jonah, and Jesus Christ all have in common?  According to the Scriptures, they all experienced anger.  With some, it was righteous anger; with others, their anger was sinful.  In anger, Moses broke the two tablets of the law when he came down from the mountain.  David became angry and passed judgment on an unknown criminal, only to discover that he was the man.  In so doing, he brought heartache upon himself and his family for years to come. 

Anger is a fact of life.  Everyone experiences this emotion from time to time.  Many righteous people in the Bible became angry, just as we saw last week that Saul had become angry (1 Samuel 11:6; 1 Samuel 20:30-33).  Scripture even includes our Lord Himself.  For this reason God’s Word has much to say about the subject of anger—what it is and what it can do.  When anger is controlled and is displayed according to biblical principles, it can be a positive force that will bring glory to God.  When anger is selfish, it can destroy a great deal of what is good.  Therefore, it is important to understand this force and learn to use it the way that God had intended for us. 

Definition — The emotion of instant displeasure on account of something evil that presents itself to our view. In itself it is an original susceptibility of our nature, just as love is, and is not necessarily sinful.

Ø       It may, however, become sinful when causeless, or excessive, or lingering:

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 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." (Matthew 5:21-22, NKJV)

“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath," (Ephesians 4:26, NKJV)

"But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth." (Colossians 3:8, NKJV)

Ø       As ascribed to God, it merely denotes his displeasure with sin and with sinners (Ps. 7:11).

Anger Itself Is Not Something Evil. 

God has instilled in us certain emotions, including anger.  When these emotions are working together properly, they serve to protect us and build us up.  Anger is something like fire.  When used correctly, fire warms us and helps us cook meals and drive machinery.  However, if left to itself, a small fire will soon become a raging inferno, destroying everything in its path.   Anger can fuel our emotional defense system when it is used ad God had directed, or it can cause a great deal of damage if it’s left uncontrolled. 

The philosopher Aristotle wrote:

“Anybody can become angry.  That is easy.  But to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose and in the right way—that is not within everybody’s power and is not easy.”

A.                  The Purposes of This Lessons Are:

a)                  To present the biblical view of anger and bitterness:

b)                  To help you recognize unbiblical responses to anger and bitterness:

c)                  To develop a plan for overcoming anger and bitterness:

1.                  God’s View

a)                  The Character of the Old Self Apart From Jesus Christ.

(1)                 Anger (great displeasure, animosity) that is quickly aroused or quickly expressed is characteristic of your old self apart from Jesus Christ and is contrary to Scripture: 

"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies," (Galatians 5:19-20)

"But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth." (Colossians 3:8)

"So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." (James 1:19-20)

(2)                 Bitterness is related to anger and demonstrates a great dissatisfaction with God’s sovereignty in your life.  Bitterness arises out of living to please self instead of living to please the Lord:

"And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”" (Acts 8:18-23, NKJV)

"As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one… “The poison of asps is under their lips”; “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”   “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”" (Romans 3:10-18, NKJV)

"Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;" (Hebrews 12:15)

2.                  Is There More Than On Kind Of Anger?

a)                  Identifying Different Kinds Of Anger (Colossians 3:8)

(1)                 Anger is a deep, smoldering, resentful bitterness. 

It is the settled heart attitude of the angry person. Frustrations do not create his anger, but merely reveal that he is an angry person and give him a target for his fury. That has no place in a Christian’s life (cf. Eph. 4:31). Rather, believers are to be “slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God” (James 1:19–20).

(2)                 Wrath refers to a sudden outburst of anger.

The Greeks likened it to a fire in straw, which flares up briefly and is gone. It is used to speak of those in the synagogue of Nazareth who exploded in anger upon hearing Jesus’ teachings (Luke 4:28). It is used similarly of the Ephesian craftsmen’s anger over Paul’s preaching (Acts 19:28).  It is one of the deeds of the flesh (Gal. 5:20), and it is not acceptable behavior for Christians (Eph. 4:31).

(3)                 Anger and wrath are closely related.

The churning, boiling anger that often lies just below the surface gives rise to eruptions of wrath. And many unbelievers live with a deep-seated resentment that feeds their anger. They do not understand why they are alive and enduring the pains of life. They did not ask for their circumstances, and they do not know how to handle them. All of that stokes the fires of their anger and makes them even more prone to explosions of wrath when exacerbated.

(4)                 Malice translates kakia, a general term for moral evil.

J. B. Lightfoot defines it as “the vicious nature which is bent on doing harm to others” (St. Paul’s Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon [1879; reprint, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1959], p. 214). In this context, it probably refers to the harm caused by evil speech.

(5)                 Anger, wrath, and malice often result in slander.

The Greek word translated “slander” is from which our English word blasphemy derives. When used in relation to God, it is translated “blasphemy.” When used in relation to people, as here, it is translated “slander.”

To slander people, however, is to blaspheme God, inasmuch as He created men and women (cf. James 3:9). Such foolish talk is not to be indulged in lightly. Our Lord solemnly warned in Matthew 5:22 that “whoever shall say to his brother, ‘Raca,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever shall say, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.” People are to be treated with dignity because they are made in the image of God.

The believer’s speech must not be marred by insults or disparaging remarks directed at others. James laments that “from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way” (James 3:10).

(6)                 The result of anger, wrath, and malice is abusive speech.

That term refers to obscene and derogatory speech intended to hurt and wound someone. It could be translated “foulmouthed abuse” (Lightfoot, p. 214). Such talk is expressly forbidden in Scripture. “There must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks” (Eph. 5:4).

Jesus said, “The good man out of his good treasure brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth what is evil” (Matt. 12:35). Our Lord further stressed the seriousness of watching what we say when He warned that “every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment” (Matt. 12:36).

3.                  Your Hope.

a)                  It Is Possible To Put Away Anger And Bitterness.

(1)                 Since God’s Word commands you to put away anger and bitterness:

"Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm." (Psalm 37:8, NKJV)

"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice." (Ephesians 4:31, NKJV)

"But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth." (Colossians 3:8, NKJV)

(2)                 It is possible to do so:

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." (1 Corinthians 10:13, NKJV)

"Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted." (Hebrews 2:17-18, NKJV)

"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:15-16, NKJV)

b)                  Defending Your Rights.

(1)                 You do not need to defend or preserve what you perceive to be your “rights”, because God causes all things to work together for good to those who belong to Him and Love Him (Romans 8:28-29). 

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way." (Psalm 37:23)

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!" (Psalm 84:11-12, NKJV)

"For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness— by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." (1 Peter 2:19-25, NKJV)

"His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue," (2 Peter 1:3, NKJV)

The High Cost Of Anger

Anger weakens a man. It puts him at a disadvantage in every undertaking in life. When Sinbad and his sailors landed on one of their tropical islands, they saw high up in the trees coconuts, which could quench their thirst and satisfy their hunger. The coconuts were far above the reach of Sinbad and the sailors, but in the branches of the trees were the chattering apes. Sinbad and his men began to throw stones and sticks up at the apes. This enraged the monkeys and they began to seize the coconuts and hurl them down at the men on the ground. That was just what Sinbad and his men wanted. They got the apes angry so that the apes would gather their food for them. That is a good illustration of how by indulgence in anger we play into the hands of our foes.

Some Anger Symptoms

The obvious symptoms of sudden anger are often red face, swollen neck veins, clenched fists, and a stumbling for words. The angry person’s vision may also be blurred, because anger clouds the visual centers of the brain.  Dr. Walter Cannon, pioneer researcher in psychosomatic medicine at Harvard University describes the symptoms more precisely: “Respiration deepens; the heart beats more rapidly; the arterial pressure rises; the blood is shifted from the stomach and intestines to the heart, central nervous system, and the muscles; the processes of the alimentary canal cease; sugar is freed from the reserves in the liver; the spleen contracts and discharges its contents of concentrated corpuscles, and adrenalin is secreted. “

—James C. Hefley

4.                  Your Change.

a)                  We Must Understand What The Bible Says About Our Change

(1)                 You are to control your spirit "Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls." (Proverbs 25:28, NKJV)

(2)                 You are to deal with you anger quickly "“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil." (Ephesians 4:26-27, NKJV)

(3)                 You are to put off anger, wrath, bitterness, quick-temperedness, dissension, abusive speech, and strife; and you are not to take into account a wrong suffered “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 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." (Matthew 5:21-22, NKJV)

"Love does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;" (1 Corinthians 13:5, NKJV)

"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice." (Ephesians 4:31, NKJV)

"But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth." (Colossians 3:8, NKJV)

"I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;" (1 Timothy 2:8, NKJV)

"For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money," (Titus 1:7, NKJV)

(4)                 Instead you are to put on:

"Tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection." (Colossians 3:12-14, NKJV)

"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:31-32, NKJV)