What’s Anger got to do with it

Introduction:

In our pursuit to produce character one can only hope that their influences somehow lead them in the right directions. It's not uncommon for people to have a false sense of truth in their life based on the environments that they were raised in. The question is how can we be assured that our character has been molded by truth?

In our thought today I hope to unveil to you just a portion of biblical truth that can be the building blocks to producing character. The beauty of this process rest in the fact that we can start anywhere in this process and have the same results. We have to have a mindset of change.

In this thought today I hope to unveil to you just a portion of biblical truth that can be the building blocks to producing character. The beauty of this process rest and the fact that we can start anywhere in this process and have the same results. We have to have a mindset of change.

So today we will look at what James had to say about anger. Of all the emotions that we possess, in my opinion, anger can be the most damaging of them all. Anger cannot only harm those that we projected it to, but it can also hold us hostage in our pursuit of holiness.

Track with me if you will as we look through the word of God and see what James has to say about character.

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Anger

A boy once asked, “Dad, how do wars begin?”

“Well, take the First World War,” said his father. “That got started when Germany invaded Belgium.”

Immediately his wife interrupted him: “Tell the boy the truth. It began because somebody was murdered.” The husband drew himself up with an air of superiority and snapped back, “Are you answering the question, or am I?” Turning her back upon him in a huff, the wife walked out of the room and slammed the door as hard as she could.

When the dishes stopped rattling in the cupboard, an uneasy silence followed, broken at length by the son when he said, “Daddy, you don’t have to tell me any more; I know now!”15

Track with me if you will as we look through the word of God and see what James has to say about character.

What’s my responsibility in the Process

Be swift to hear. 19a

a. gives the meaning ...for one to intently listen.

How often have we failed to listen? We are prejudice to the outcome of a conversation before we ever truly listen to the details of what's being discussed.

James is teaching us that the first ingredient to judge in a situation is to listen. We cannot accurately deal with a situation or a matter without first understanding the facts. Let me encourage you not to talk first, but to listen.

Be slow to speak. 19b

a. Knowing when to speak is vital. Speaking out of turn can be detrimental.

In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: But he that refraineth his lips is wise.

But he that refraineth his lips is wise.

God gave us two ears to listen with and one mouth to speak, we should be's listening far more than speaking.

b. knowing whats appropriate and not appropriate to say in a situation is directly related to how we hear. Far too often communications between two people breaks down when they fail to hear but they're ready to speak.

The Letters of James and Peter When to Be Quick and When to Be Slow (James 1:19–20)

The scholar F. J. A. Hort says that those who are really good will be much more anxious to listen to God than arrogantly, loudly and stridently to shout their own opinions.

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

3. Be slow to wrath. 19c

a. James made a profound statement when he said be slow to anger. Speaking in anger is oftentimes done with clouded judgment. There is a place for anger. Scripture teaches us that Jesus was angry but he sinned not.

Paul wrote in Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition

So how is it that we overcome anger and produce a Godly spirit when executing wrath?

New Testament XI: James, 1–2 Peter, 1–3 John, Jude Lacking Self-Control

GREGORY THE GREAT: Because a diseased mind has no control over its own judgment, it thinks that whatever anger suggests must be right. LESSONS IN JOB 5.78.

Don't be guilty of unrighteous wrath. Unrighteous wrath has consequences and backlash. Cleaning up the mess of unrighteous wrath often times leaves scars and damage that may be irreversible.

The Product of my Anger

What does it produce?

a. Unrighteous anger leads to unrighteousness in our own personal life.

While we can think of many reasons to justify our anger, the only viewpoint that matters is the Lord’s. The book of Proverbs offers insight into how God views angry people. He says they act foolishly (), stir up strife (), and commit transgressions (). He also warns us not to associate with such individuals (). In contrast, those who are slow to anger have great understanding () and demonstrate wisdom (, ). Keeping one’s distance from strife also shows honor ().

b. Why should I run from unrighteous anger?

It produces a disconnect with the presence of God in your life. Anger has a way of gripping us. The favorite of God is directly related to how we respond to his commandments.

If we choose to dishonor God with unrighteous anger we can expect the favor of God to not rest in our life.

If we choose to dishonor God with unrighteous anger we can expect the favor of God to not rest in our life.

Conclusion:

God only expects us to follow the simple commandments scripture. Let me remind you that God doesn't give us a list of commandments because he wants us under his thumb. God gives us a list of commandments because he knows it will be healthy for us.

Track with me if you will as we look through the word of God and see what James has to say about character.