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: A strong feeling of displeasure or hostility; To make angry; enrage or provoke. 

(1)                 SYNONYMS: anger, rage, fury, wrath, resentment, indignation.

(2)                 These nouns denote varying degrees of marked displeasure.

(a)                 Anger, the most general, is strong displeasure:

(b)                Rage and fury are closely related in the sense of intense, explosive, often destructive emotion:

(c)                 Wrath applies especially to fervid anger that seeks vengeance or punishment, often on an epic scale:

(d)                Resentment refers to ill will and smoldering anger generated by a sense of grievance:

(e)                 Indignation is righteous anger at something regarded as being wrongful, unjust, or evil: 

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. 

At times, you may try to justify your anger by saying, “God was angry (Num.25:4) and Jesus was angry (Mark 3:5), so I can be angry too.”  However, God is perfectly holy, and you are not.  His holiness, justice, love, and perfection, remain constant even though He is jealous (Ex.20:5), has wrath (2 Chron.28:11), exercises vengeance (rom.12:19), and is indignant every day (Ps.7:11).  Unlike God, your flesh is in continual conflict between good and evil (Romans 7:14-25; Galatians 5:17).  As a result, you will have difficulty responding to emotionally-charges situations without sinning.  

1.                  Examples Of Unbiblical Deeds Resulting In Anger.

a)                  Cain, in his anger, killed his brother (Genesis 4:5-8, 11-12).

(1)                 Rather than being repentant for his sinful disobedience, he was hostile toward God, whom he could not kill, and jealous of his brother, whom he could kill (1 John 3:12; Jude 11).

(2)                 Cain committee the very first murder on earth and the source of that murder was influenced by Satan (John 8:44), anger (Matthew 5:21-22), the heart (Matt.15:19).

(3)                 God's declarations to Cain:

(a)                 If you do not do well, sin lies at the door (v.7). 

(i)                   At the door of your mind or heart, there is something that is holding you back from full fellowship with God.  It could be anger or bitterness! 

(ii)                 Who is the one who is ultimately being hurt by your anger? You.

(b)                 And its desire is for you (v.7).

(i)                   Jesus said to Peter, "Satan has desired you that he might sift you like wheat" (Luke 22:31).  How Satan desires to destroy you through anger, sin.

(ii)                 Satan desired to cause Job to curse God through the awesome calamities he brought upon his life.

(c)                  But, you should rule over it (v.7).

(i)                   If you do not rule over anger, & sin in your life, then be sure that it is ruling over you.

(ii)                 How can you rule over sin?  You don't have the power in yourself. It takes more than just desire to break the bondage to a destructive habit.  If you are trying to rule over sin through the strength and resolve of your own mind, you are in a losing struggle.  The victory over sin comes by yielding the control of your life over to someone who is stronger than those forces that have held you captive.  Only as you give your life to Jesus Christ to be controlled by the Spirit, can you know the power and victory over sin.

b)                  Simeon and Levi were self-willed men, murdering other in their cruel anger (Gen.49:5-7).

c)                  Saul became anger and tried to kill his oldest son (1 Samuel 20:30-33).

d)                  Naaman became furious and refused to follow a simple command in order to be healed of leprosy (2 Kings 5:10-14).

e)                  Uzziah, when confronted by the priests for his unfaithfulness to the Lord, became enraged and was struck with leprosy until the day of his death ( 2 Chron26:16-23).

f)                   Jonah was greatly displeased and angry when the Lord showed compassion on Nineveh, and God rebuked him (Jonah 4:1-11).

g)                  Simon, in his bitterness, tried to buy the authority of God and was openly rebuked by Peter (Acts 8:12-24).

2.                  Some Unbiblical Ways of Dealing With Anger.

a)                  Exploding in a rage or temper, striking our physically or verbally at people or things. 

(1)                 Doing this disregards these verses:

"He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city." (Proverbs 16:32, NASB95)

"“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12, NASB95)

"So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another." (Romans 14:19, NASB95)

"Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered," (1 Corinthians 13:4-5, NASB95)

"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." (Colossians 3:17, NASB95)

b)                  You Express Your Anger Outwardly (“ventilate your anger”) by

(1)                 Beating your pillow (or another inanimate object)

(2)                 While thinking (or speaking) about the person with whom you are angry or bitter. 

(3)                 Doing these acts disreagard’s these verses:

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14, NASB95)

"We are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ," (2 Corinthians 10:5, NASB95)

"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4, NASB95)

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:8-9, NASB95)

"Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:2, NASB95)

c)                  You control you temper at work, church, and other places.

(1)                 However, you exercise little or no control at home with your loved ones.

(2)                 Doing this disregards these verse:

"Like a city that is broken into and without walls Is a man who has no control over his spirit." (Proverbs 25:28, NASB95)

"“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:13-16, NASB95)

"“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12, NASB95)

"Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good." (Romans 12:9, NASB95)

"Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way." (Romans 14:13, NASB95)

"Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:1-3, NASB95)

d)                  You exercise strenuously to release feelings of anger, but don’t deal with the sinful basis of your anger.

(1)                 This disregards these verses: 

"But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”" (1 Samuel 16:7, NASB95)

"And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. “All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.”" (Mark 7:20-23, NASB95)

"for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." (1 Timothy 4:8, NASB95)

e)                  You seethe inwardly and become bitter

(1)                 This disregards:

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14, NASB95)

"Like a city that is broken into and without walls Is a man who has no control over his spirit." (Proverbs 25:28, NASB95)

"See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;" (Hebrews 12:15, NASB95)

f)                   You verbally attack or slander people who have persecuted you or taken advantage of you.  

(1)                 This disregards:

"“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:10-12, NASB95)

"“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. “If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? “If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:38-48, NASB95)

"Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:17-21, NASB95)

"Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." (Romans 13:10, NASB95)

"So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another." (Romans 14:19, NASB95)

"Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification." (Romans 15:2, NASB95)

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29, NASB95)

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:31-32, NASB95)

"For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls." (1 Peter 2:20-25, NASB95)

"To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing." (1 Peter 3:8-9, NASB95)

g)                  You Deny That You Are Angry or Bitter.

(1)                 This disregards;

"Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ," (Ephesians 4:15, NASB95)

"Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another." (Ephesians 4:25, NASB95)

"But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth." (James 3:14, NASB95)

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." (James 5:16, NASB95)

"If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us." (1 John 1:8-10, NASB95)

h)                  You Characterize Your Anger In the Following Terms.

(1)                 As “righteous indignation” or your bitterness as “justifiable” instead of examining your anger and bitterness and responding accordingly.

(2)                 This disregards: 

"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes And clever in their own sight!" (Isaiah 5:20-21, NASB95)

"Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the Lord, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:7-9, NASB95)

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice." (Ephesians 4:31, NASB95)

"This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does." (James 1:19-25, NASB95)

"Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom." (James 3:13, NASB95)

3.                  Some Unbiblical Justifications for Anger or Bitterness.

a)                  You claim that others and / or their actions are responsible for your anger or bitterness.

(1)                 This disregards:

“The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son’s iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself." (Ezekiel 18:20, NASB95)

"And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. “All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.”" (Mark 7:20-23, NASB95)

"No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13, NASB95)

"So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity." (Colossians 3:12-14, NASB95)

b)                  You claim that past, present, and possible future circumstances have led to your anger.

(1)                 Do you get bitter and angry with God for negative circumstance in your life?

(a)                 When God brings negative circumstances in our lives, He always has a positive purpose.  If we do not have problems we will not grow!

(b)                Moab has been at ease from his youth; He has settled on his dregs, And has not been emptied from vessel to vessel, Nor has he gone into captivity. Therefore his taste remained in him, And his scent has not changed (Jeremiah 48:11).

The people of Moab had had it so easy and so smooth that they had become rotten.  The analogy Jeremiah uses is from winemaking.  Winemakers in Jeremiah’s day put crushed grapes in a container and let them sit.  Eventually the bitterness and the sediment—called dregs, or lees—would settle into the bottom.  The winemaker would pour the wine off the top into another vessel, and the remaining bitterness would settle into the bottom of the second container in more sediment.  The he would pour that wine into another container, and another, and another—and over a period of time, all the sediment and its bitterness would be removed (they used to make vinegar), and the wine would have the aroma of sweetness that the winemaker wanted it to have.  Moab had never lost its bitterness, because the people had never been poured from difficult situation to difficult situation, where the bitterness could be purged out. 

We are better off in life if God pours us from trial to trial to trial, because each time we’re poured into a different trial, each time we’re confined in a different undesirable circumstance, a little of the bitterness if removed. 

(2)                 This disregards:

“But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders." (Matthew 15:18-19, NASB95)

"And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:3-5, NASB95)

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;" (Romans 8:28-29, NASB95)

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4, NASB95)