Anger: a Display of Love (Various Proverbs)

The great Maestro, Toscanini, was as well-known for his ferocious temper as for his outstanding musicianship. When members of his orchestra played badly he would pick up anything in sight and hurl it to the floor. During one rehearsal a flat note caused the genius to grab his valuable watch and smash it beyond repair. Shortly afterward, he received from his devoted musicians a luxurious velvet-lined box containing two watches, one a beautiful gold timepiece, the other a cheap one on which was inscribed, “For rehearsals only.”[1]

Anger makes us act like a fool most of the time. Anger, a universally understood and experienced emotion. Of course, we all experience anger to different degrees and in different ways, but we all experience anger nonetheless.

What did Toscanini’s anger reveal about what he loved? I suppose we can’t know with certainty, but I would imagine he loved perfection, or his perception of perfection, when it came to music. He got angry when music was not done perfectly. So then, his ferocious temper revealed his distorted and imbalanced love, did it not?

Anger Defined

Anger makes us act like a fool most of the time. Anger, a universally understood and experienced emotion. Of course, we all experience anger to different degrees and in different ways, but we all experience anger nonetheless.

As we end our study in Proverbs, we are going to look at one more emotion – anger. What we will find is that anger is most often destructive, but that at its root is the emotion of love. But, while it is usually destructive, it is not always destructive, and we need to consider the appropriate presence of anger in our lives. As we begin this discussion, let us first define anger.

What did Toscanini’s anger reveal about what he loved? I suppose we can’t know with certainty, but I would imagine he loved perfection, or his perception of perfection, when it came to music. He got angry when music was not done perfectly. So then, his ferocious temper revealed his distorted and imbalanced love, did it not?

In considering the concept of anger in Proverbs, we come to realize that there are several different words that are translated as anger or similar synonyms such as wrath, indignation, vexation, indignant, or rage.[1]

As we end our study in Proverbs, we are going to look at one more emotion – anger. What we will find is that anger is most often destructive, but that at its root is the emotion of love. But, while it is usually destructive, it is not always destructive, and we need to consider the appropriate presence of anger in our lives. As we begin this discussion, let us first define anger.

(1) The first, aneph, refers to anger or displeasure. Often it is used of the Lord’s attitude when his people don’t obey him. But, often in these contexts, He is said to be slow to anger. While man’s anger is appropriate at times, typically, throughout the Old Testament, we are warned that anger usually ends up resulting in foolishness and destruction.

In considering the concept of anger in Proverbs, we come to realize that there are several different words that are translated as anger or similar synonyms such as wrath, indignation, vexation, indignant, or rage.[2]

(2) A second word for anger, chemah, is often translated as “hot displeasure, indignation, and wrath. This word is often used to “convey the concept of an inner, emotional heat which rises and is fanned to varying degrees.”

(3) A third word for anger, ebrah, refers to something that overflows, arrogance, and fury. Often this word is used in the context of God’s wrath and how it will overflow on the day of His wrath. Nothing will be able to stand before it. When it is used in the context of a person, their wrath is “described as cruel and merciless having wounded pride as its basic motivation.

(1) The first, aneph, refers to anger or displeasure. Often it is used of the Lord’s attitude when his people don’t obey him. But, often in these contexts, He is said to be slow to anger. While man’s anger is appropriate at times, typically, throughout the Old Testament, we are warned that anger usually ends up resulting in foolishness and destruction.

(4) The fourth word is kaas. It’s often translated as “vexed, indignant, angry, wroth, be grieved, provoke to anger and wrath.” In these moments, the heart is provoked in such a way as to lead to specific actions. This provocation is as well not typically appropriate for believers. In fact Solomon tells us “Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools” ( ESV).

(2) A second word for anger, chemah, is often translated as “hot displeasure, indignation, and wrath. This word is often used to “convey the concept of an inner, emotional heat which rises and is fanned to varying degrees.”

(3) A third word for anger, ebrah, refers to something that overflows, arrogance, and fury. Often this word is used in the context of God’s wrath and how it will overflow on the day of His wrath. Nothing will be able to stand before it. When it is used in the context of a person, their wrath is “described as cruel and merciless having wounded pride as its basic motivation.

(5) One final word, zaap, means to storm or blow. In it refers to the raging sea. In the context of a person’s anger, it would refer to a storm or emotion within someone.

(4) The fourth word is kaas. It’s often translated as “vexed, indignant, angry, wroth, be grieved, provoke to anger and wrath.” In these moments, the heart is provoked in such a way as to lead to specific actions. This provocation is as well not typically appropriate for believers. In fact Solomon tells us “Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools” ( ESV).

So then, to define anger is both challenging and rather easy. Anger is one of those emotions that many of us may struggle to define but all of us know what it is due to our own personal experiences. Albert Barnes offers a helpful definition.

Anger is a passion too common to need any description. It is an excitement or agitation of mind, of more or less violence, produced by the reception of a real or supposed injury, and attended commonly with a desire or purpose of revenge. The desire of revenge, however, is not essential to the existence of the passion, though it is probably always attended with a disposition to express displeasure, to chide, rebuke, or punish[2]

(5) One final word, zaap, means to storm or blow. In it refers to the raging sea. In the context of a person’s anger, it would refer to a storm or emotion within someone.

As we consider the many different words and Barne’s definition, let me conclude this attempt to define anger with just a couple simple realities. (1) Anger exhibits itself outwardly. (2) It is the overflow of internal heat or displeasure. (3) Anger is the result of hurt pride. (4) Anger is the affect a fool has on others. (5) Anger is usually not acceptable, except for God’s righteous anger and potentially our frail attempts at righteous anger.

So then, to define anger is both challenging and rather easy. Anger is one of those emotions that many of us may struggle to define but all of us know what it is due to our own personal experiences. Albert Barnes offers a helpful definition.

Barnes. Anger is a passion too common to need any description. It is an excitement or agitation of mind, of more or less violence, produced by the reception of a real or supposed injury, and attended commonly with a desire or purpose of revenge. The desire of revenge, however, is not essential to the existence of the passion, though it is probably always attended with a disposition to express displeasure, to chide, rebuke, or punish[3]

As we consider the many different words and Barnes’ definition, let me conclude this attempt to define anger with just a couple simple realities. (1) Anger exhibits itself outwardly. (2) It is the overflow of internal heat or displeasure. (3) Anger is the result of hurt pride. (4) Anger is the affect a fool has on others. (5) Anger is usually not acceptable, except for God’s righteous anger and potentially our frail attempts at righteous anger.

Too often our culture sees love and hatred (or anger) as incompatible. You either love or you have anger. You can’t be angry and be loving. And yet, while anger and love are at opposite ends of the affections spectrum, they actually work in tandem. Our anger reveals what we love.

Why is God a God of anger? Because God is as well a God of immense love. He loves righteousness and he gets angry when people don’t live righteous lives. He loves the truth and he gets angry when people malign or twist the truth. God loves broken people and he gets angry when those broken and weak people are abused, mistreated, and ignored.

Too often our culture sees love and hatred (or anger) as incompatible. You either love or you have anger. You can’t be angry and be loving. And yet, while anger and love are at opposite ends of the affections spectrum, they actually work in tandem. Our anger reveals what we love.

Christ was the model of perfect sacrificial love and yet he got angry. Christ loved the temple and appropriate and godly worship and he got angry when the temple was abused, and worshippers were hindered (). Christ loved broken people and sensitive humble hearts, and he looked on the Pharisees “with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart” when he healed the man with a withered hand (). Christ loves it when people believe in him because he knows that is where true joy and satisfaction are found, and he got angry at the tomb of Lazarus when they doubted and didn’t trust Him. The New Living Translation of , offers a helpful wording. “When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled.”

Therefore, the root of our anger is the source of our love. We become angry when that which we love is threatened. When you get angry, ask yourself, “what am I defending?” The answer to that question will reveal what you love.

Why is God a God of anger? Because God is as well a God of immense love. He loves righteousness and he gets angry when people don’t live righteous lives. He loves the truth and he gets angry when people malign or twist the truth. God loves broken people and he gets angry when those broken and weak people are abused, mistreated, and ignored.

Christ was the model of perfect sacrificial love and yet he got angry. Christ loved the temple and appropriate and godly worship and he got angry when the temple was abused, and worshippers were hindered (). Christ loved broken people and sensitive humble hearts, and he looked on the Pharisees “with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart” when he healed the man with a withered hand (). Christ loves it when people believe in him because he knows that is where true joy and satisfaction are found, and he got angry at the tomb of Lazarus when they doubted and didn’t trust Him. The New Living Translation of , offers a helpful wording. “When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled.”

Therefore, the root of our anger is the source of our love. We become angry when that which we love is threatened. When you get angry, ask yourself, “what am I defending?” The answer to that question will reveal what you love.

Anger destroys your body. “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot” ( ESV). While WebMD may not be the best place to do self-assessment of health issues, it does offer some scientific evidence as to the destructive power of anger in your body. Katherine Kam quotes Dr. Dave Montgomery and writes, “If you have a destructive reaction to anger, you are more likely to have heart attacks.” She goes on to tell us that this is “true whether intense anger makes you fiery or quietly fume.” When we are angry:

stress hormones . . . speed up your heart rate and breathing. . . . Your blood vessels tighten. Your blood pressure soars. . . . If this happens often, it causes wear and tear on your artery walls. . . . researchers found that healthy people who are often angry or hostile are 19% more likely than calmer people to get heart disease.[3]

Anger destroys your body. “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot” ( ESV). While WebMD may not be the best place to do self-assessment of health issues, it does offer some scientific evidence as to the destructive power of anger in your body. Katherine Kam quotes Dr. Dave Montgomery and writes, “If you have a destructive reaction to anger, you are more likely to have heart attacks.” She goes on to tell us that this is “true whether intense anger makes you fiery or quietly fume.” When we are angry:

Anger destroys your community. “A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention” ( ESV). Anger typically results in our saying things that are not well thought through or kind. An Old Latin proverb goes, “Swallowing angry words before you say them is better than having to eat them afterwards.”[4] And yet, while we may know this, we still seem to vent our anger with words, and these words (and non-verbal communication) destroys relationships.

stress hormones . . . speed up your heart rate and breathing. . . . Your blood vessels tighten. Your blood pressure soars. . . . If this happens often, it causes wear and tear on your artery walls. . . . researchers found that healthy people who are often angry or hostile are 19% more likely than calmer people to get heart disease.[4]

tells us that “rash words are like sword thrusts.” “Death is in the power of the tongue” according to , and in we are told that perverseness in the tongue breaks the spirit. “With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor” ( ESV).

Anger destroys your community. “A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention” ( ESV). Anger typically results in our saying things that are not well thought through or kind. An Old Latin proverb goes, “Swallowing angry words before you say them is better than having to eat them afterwards.”[5] And yet, while we may know this, we still seem to vent our anger with words, and these words (and non-verbal communication) destroys relationships.

Anger destroys your ability to think wisely. “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly” ( ESV). The NLT reads, “a hot temper shows great foolishness.” Anger puts on display our folly. And, apparently the angry and foolish man doesn’t seem to learn his lesson well. “A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again” ( ESV).

tells us that “rash words are like sword thrusts.” “Death is in the power of the tongue” according to , and in we are told that perverseness in the tongue breaks the spirit. “With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor” ( ESV).

Let me commend to you a message by Tim Keller in 2004 to Redeemer Church. The message was titled “The Healing of Anger.” [5] In the message he explained why anger goes wrong. Anger goes wrong because “we turn good things into ultimate things. . . . It is our disordered love that creates disordered anger.” He went on to offer three areas in which our anger becomes disordered.

Anger destroys your ability to think wisely. “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly” ( ESV). The NLT reads, “a hot temper shows great foolishness.” Anger puts on display our folly. And, apparently the angry and foolish man doesn’t seem to learn his lesson well. “A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again” ( ESV).

Anger is usually wrong in its cause. We will see shortly that there are appropriate contexts in which to express anger, but typically we direct our anger at all the wrong things. In a message on anger, Tim Keller said the following.

Let me commend to you a message by Tim Keller in 2004 to Redeemer Church. The message was titled “The Healing of Anger.” [6] In the message he explained why anger goes wrong. Anger goes wrong because “we turn good things into ultimate things. . . . It is our disordered love that creates disordered anger.” He went on to offer three areas in which our anger becomes disordered.

There’s nothing wrong with being ticked — getting angry to a degree — if somebody slights your reputation, but why are you ten times — a hundred times — more angry about it than some horrible violent injustice being done to people in another part of the world?

Too often we possess near indifference to those things that should probably infuriate us, and we become irrationally enraged at the little things that personally affect us – a little. Anger is almost always directed in the wrong direction.

Anger is usually wrong in its cause. We will see shortly that there are appropriate contexts in which to express anger, but typically we direct our anger at all the wrong things. In a message on anger, Keller goes on to say the following.

Anger is usually blown out of proportion. Anger is usually over the top. The degree of our response often far surpasses the level of offense. Yet, of course, we would not agree with that assessment in the midst of our anger. We feel perfectly justified in our level of vitriol. Yet, how often, following a moment of anger, do we look back and think, “that was probably a little over the top”?

Keller. There’s nothing wrong with being ticked — getting angry to a degree — if somebody slights your reputation, but why are you ten times — a hundred times — more angry about it than some horrible violent injustice being done to people in another part of the world?

Too often we possess near indifference to those things that should probably infuriate us, and we become irrationally enraged at the little things that personally affect us – a little. Anger is almost always caused by the wrong things.

Anger is usually misdirected. We will shortly consider the appropriate use of anger but let me briefly touch on it. Appropriate anger, or loving anger, desires to “do a surgical strike on the evil . . . In disordered anger you don't go after the problem you go after the person. You don't just want restitution and justice, you want vengeance.”

Anger is usually blown out of proportion. Anger is usually over the top. The degree of our response often far surpasses the level of offense. Yet, of course, we would not agree with that assessment in the midst of our anger. We feel perfectly justified in our level of vitriol. Yet, how often, following a moment of anger, do we look back and think, “that was probably a little over the top”?

Anger is usually misdirected. We will shortly consider the appropriate use of anger but let me briefly touch on it. Appropriate anger, or loving anger, desires to “do a surgical strike on the evil . . . In disordered anger you don't go after the problem you go after the person. You don't just want restitution and justice, you want vengeance.”

So then, we can draw a couple of conclusions so far. (1) Anger reveals what we love. This may or may not be good. (2) Anger is most often destructive.

But is it always destructive? Is anger always bad? What about where it appears that we are commanded to be angry. “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger” ( ESV). [6]

There are a lot of challenges with this passage. (1) Is this really a command to be angry or is the command that when you’re angry you are not to sin? (2) Is anger being spoken of here or fear? This verse is a quote from and there is some debate as to whether or not is referring to fear or anger.

So then, we can draw a couple of conclusions so far. (1) Anger reveals what we love. This may or may not be good. (2) Anger is most often destructive.

Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. ( ESV).[7]

But is it always destructive? Is anger always bad? What about where it appears that we are commanded to be angry. “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger” ( ESV). [7]

Regardless of how you translate the verse in Ephesians, you would be hard pressed to not conclude that there must be some appropriate context in which you can be angry and not sin. Clearly there were moments when both God the Father and Jesus Christ were angry.

There are a lot of challenges with this passage. (1) Is this really a command to be angry or is the command that when you’re angry you are not to sin? (2) Is anger being spoken of here or fear? This verse is a quote from and there is some debate as to whether or not is referring to fear or anger.

God the Father’s Anger. (1) God is angry with Moses due to his unbelief and disobedience to go to Egypt and confront Pharoah. () (2) God is angry towards those who mistreat the helpless, strangers, widows and orphans. () (3) God is angry towards those who turn to idols. (; ; ; ) (4) God is angry when His people grumble and complain. (, ) (5) God restrains His anger () and is slow to become angry. ()

Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. ( ESV).[8]

Regardless of how you translate the verse in Ephesians, you would be hard pressed to not conclude that there must be some appropriate context in which you can be angry and not sin. Clearly there were moments when both God the Father and Jesus Christ were angry.

Christ’s Anger. We’ve already mentioned Christ anger exhibited towards the Pharisees, in the temple, and at Lazarus’ tomb. You may also recall Christ’s display of anger towards the Pharisees in the woe passage in or his anger with Peter when he says, “Get behind me Satan.” ()

God the Father’s Anger. (1) God is angry with Moses due to his unbelief and disobedience to go to Egypt and confront Pharoah. () (2) God is angry towards those who mistreat the helpless, strangers, widows and orphans. () (3) God is angry towards those who turn to idols. (; ; ; ) (4) God is angry when His people grumble and complain. (, ) (5) God restrains His anger () and is slow to become angry. ()

Other Godly Men. (1) Moses was enraged with the hardness of Pharoah’s heart. () (2) Moses became angry with the Jewish people when he came down the mount and saw them worshipping the golden calf. () (3) Paul was angry with the Galatians due to some of them having embraced false teaching. This includes his anger with Peter over his treatment of the Jews and Gentiles.

There is an appropriate anger that is produced from our regenerate, Spirit-directed natures. It is inevitably tainted by our flesh and struggles as it passes through the filters of our mind and mouth, but there is still within our transformed hearts an appropriate place for anger to reside.

Christ’s Anger. We’ve already mentioned Christ anger exhibited towards the Pharisees, in the temple, and at Lazarus’ tomb. You may also recall Christ’s display of anger towards the Pharisees in the woe passage in or his anger with Peter when he says, “Get behind me Satan.” ()

Other Godly Men. (1) Moses was enraged with the hardness of Pharoah’s heart. () (2) Moses became angry with the Jewish people when he came down the mount and saw them worshipping the golden calf. () (3) Paul was angry with the Galatians due to some of them having embraced false teaching. This includes his anger with Peter over his treatment of the Jews and Gentiles.

Be angry at the same things that God gets angry at. Appropriate or righteous anger occurs when we are angry at the same things God is angry at.

So, what makes God angry is the perversion of his goodness; the turning wrong of what he made right. God calls this perversion evil. Evil twists and disfigures God’s glory, vandalizing what is most valuable, and profaning what is most holy. Evil poisons and distorts reality, resulting in the destruction of joy for every creature that chooses the perversion over God’s good. God’s righteousness demands his anger over such destructive perversion and that he mete out commensurate justice against those who commit such evil. So our anger is righteous when we are angered over evil that profanes God’s holiness and perverts his goodness.[8]

There is an appropriate anger that is produced from our regenerate, Spirit-directed natures. It is inevitably tainted by our flesh and struggles as it passes through the filters of our mind and mouth, but there is still within our transformed hearts an appropriate place for anger to reside.

Be angry at the same things that God gets angry at. Appropriate or righteous anger occurs when we are angry at the same things God is angry at.

Be angry in the same way that God gets angry. We are told numerous times throughout Scripture that God is a loving and compassionate God, slow to anger. “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” ( ESV). And it is to this slowness of anger that we are all called.

Jon Bloom. So, what makes God angry is the perversion of his goodness; the turning wrong of what he made right. God calls this perversion evil. Evil twists and disfigures God’s glory, vandalizing what is most valuable, and profaning what is most holy. Evil poisons and distorts reality, resulting in the destruction of joy for every creature that chooses the perversion over God’s good. God’s righteousness demands his anger over such destructive perversion and that he mete out commensurate justice against those who commit such evil. So our anger is righteous when we are angered over evil that profanes God’s holiness and perverts his goodness.[9]

Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty ( ESV).

Be angry in the same way that God gets angry. We are told numerous times throughout Scripture that God is a loving and compassionate God, slow to anger. “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” ( ESV). And it is to this slowness of anger that we are all called.

Good sense makes one slow to anger ( ESV).

Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty ( ESV).

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding ( ESV).

Good sense makes one slow to anger ( ESV).

let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; ( ESV).

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding ( ESV).

let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; ( ESV).

So then, there is anger that is good, but as we honestly assess ourselves, our anger is usually not righteous or appropriate anger. We are usually more concerned about our own happiness and personal justice than we are the righteousness and glory of God. “We tend to get angrier over our slighted pride than over the marring of God’s glory. We tend to get angrier over a minor inconvenience than a grievous injustice.”[9] So what do we do when we get angry? What do we do when our lives are characterized by anger – not righteous anger but sinful anger?

Repent. As is true of any other sin, we must repent. This repentance demands, first, that we acknowledge our anger. We admit that we have gotten angry and then assess the root of our anger. Ask yourself questions such as the following: What is so important that made me get so defensive? What am I loving right now so much that I would get angry over? Is my anger about God’s glory or my own personal desire for justice and revenge?

So then, there is anger that is good, but as we honestly assess ourselves, our anger is usually not righteous or appropriate anger. We are usually more concerned about our own happiness and personal justice than we are the righteousness and glory of God. “We tend to get angrier over our slighted pride than over the marring of God’s glory. We tend to get angrier over a minor inconvenience than a grievous injustice.”[10] So what do we do when we get angry? What do we do when our lives are characterized by anger – not righteous anger but sinful anger?

We admit our anger. We assess our anger. We grieve over our anger. We are broken over the fact that we magnified our own desires over the desires of God. We are broken that we got angrier over a slight said to us than we are the thousands of abortions happening half an hour away from us. We are broken that we are angrier about a look we received from someone than we are the murder of 100’s of Christians in Nigeria. We are grieved that we get angrier that church isn’t run the way we want, or our community doesn’t function like we would like, or social media irritates us in some enraging way, or people didn’t respond to a call or text or message as quickly as we think they should, and yet we have next to no emotion for the voiceless and abused throughout our nation. We get irritated and yell at slow service in a restaurant, and yet a nation that is blinded from the truth and hates Christ only irritates us as far as it affects our own personal comfort. We repent. That’s what we do.

Repent. As is true of any other sin, we must repent. This repentance demands, first, that we acknowledge our anger. We admit that we have gotten angry and then assess the root of our anger. Ask yourself questions such as the following: What is so important that made me get so defensive? What am I loving right now so much that I would get angry over? Is my anger about God’s glory or my own personal desire for justice and revenge?

Put off, put on. We put off anger, and we put on Christlikeness. That may be a little too abstract for most of us, so let’s define Christlikeness in this context. We were hostile to God. We wanted nothing to do with Him. His solution to our rejection was not anger but aggressive sacrificial love. “He didn’t come in guns blazing. He went to the cross. On the cross he told us the truth and absorbed our disordered rage without paying us back. He didn't just take our undeserved anger but also took the anger we deserved.”[10] So then, how are we to treat those that would typically enrage us?

We admit our anger. We assess our anger. We grieve over our anger. We are broken over the fact that we magnified our own desires over the desires of God. We are broken that we got angrier over a slight said to us than we are the thousands of abortions happening half an hour away from us. We are broken that we are angrier about a look we received from someone than we are the murder of 100’s of Christians in Nigeria. We are grieved that we get angrier that church isn’t run the way we want, or our community doesn’t function like we would like, or social media irritates us in some enraging way, or people didn’t respond to a call or text or message as quickly as we think they should, and yet we have next to no emotion for the voiceless and abused throughout our nation. We get irritated and yell at slow service in a restaurant, and yet a nation that is blinded from the truth and hates Christ only irritates us as far as it affects our own personal comfort. We repent. That’s what we do.

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink ( ESV).

Put off, put on. We put off anger, and we put on Christlikeness. That may be a little too abstract for most of us, so let’s define Christlikeness in this context. We were hostile to God. We wanted nothing to do with Him. His solution to our rejection was not anger but aggressive sacrificial love. “He didn’t come in guns blazing. He went to the cross. On the cross he told us the truth and absorbed our disordered rage without paying us back. He didn't just take our undeserved anger but also took the anger we deserved.”[11] So then, how are we to treat those that would typically enrage us?

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink ( ESV).

[1] The following 5 definitions were taken from the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament.

[2] Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament: Ephesians, Philippians & Colossians, ed. Robert Frew (London: Blackie & Son, 1884–1885), 89.

[1] Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc., 1996), 131.

[2] Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament: Ephesians, Philippians & Colossians, ed. Robert Frew (London: Blackie & Son, 1884–1885), 89.

[3] Kam, Katherine. “How Anger Can Hurt Your Heart.” WebMD, April 27, 2015. Accessed June 27, 2018. https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/features/how-anger-hurts-your-heart.

[2] The following 5 definitions were taken from the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament.

[3] Kam, Katherine. “How Anger Can Hurt Your Heart.” WebMD, April 27, 2015. Accessed June 27, 2018. https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/features/how-anger-hurts-your-heart.

[2] The following 5 definitions were taken from the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament.

[4] Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc., 1996), 133.

[3] Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament: Ephesians, Philippians & Colossians, ed. Robert Frew (London: Blackie & Son, 1884–1885), 89.

[4] Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc., 1996), 133.

[4] Kam, Katherine. “How Anger Can Hurt Your Heart.” WebMD, April 27, 2015. Accessed June 27, 2018. https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/features/how-anger-hurts-your-heart.

[5] Timothy J. Keller, The Healing of Anger, Proverbs: True Wisdom for Living (Redeemer Presbyterian Church, NYC, 2004), sec. 17:00, https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/the-healing-of-anger-5382/.

[4] Kam, Katherine. “How Anger Can Hurt Your Heart.” WebMD, April 27, 2015. Accessed June 27, 2018. https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/features/how-anger-hurts-your-heart.

[5] Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc., 1996), 133.

[6] ovrgi,zesqe verb imperative present passive 2nd person plural . . . [Friberg Lexicon] ovrgi,zw 1aor. pass. wvrgi,sqhn; only passive in the NT, only of human and satanic anger be or become angry, be or become furious, be or become enraged

[5] Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc., 1996), 133.

[6] Timothy J. Keller, The Healing of Anger, Proverbs: True Wisdom for Living (Redeemer Presbyterian Church, NYC, 2004), sec. 17:00, https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/the-healing-of-anger-5382/.

[7] (1) It is possible that he is talking about fear and not anger at all. (2) The LXX translates the word for “Tremble” with the Greek word for “fear.” (3) David’s anger was based on the sinfulness of men. (4) David acknowledged that his anger could easily lead to sin. (5) Dealing with one’s anger is inward, not outward justice. (6) David’s anger is dealt with by medition on God and trust in Him, not by dealing with those men.

[6] Timothy J. Keller, The Healing of Anger, Proverbs: True Wisdom for Living (Redeemer Presbyterian Church, NYC, 2004), sec. 17:00, https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/the-healing-of-anger-5382/.

[8] Bloom, Jon. “How Can We Be Angry and Not Sin?” Blog. Desiring God (blog), February 26, 2016. Accessed June 29, 2018. https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/how-can-we-be-angry-and-not-sin.

[7] ovrgi,zesqe verb imperative present passive 2nd person plural . . . [Friberg Lexicon] ovrgi,zw 1aor. pass. wvrgi,sqhn; only passive in the NT, only of human and satanic anger be or become angry, be or become furious, be or become enraged

[8] Bloom, Jon. “How Can We Be Angry and Not Sin?” Blog. Desiring God (blog), February 26, 2016. Accessed June 29, 2018. https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/how-can-we-be-angry-and-not-sin.

[9] Bloom, Jon. “How Can We Be Angry and Not Sin?”

[8] (1) It is possible that he is talking about fear and not anger at all. (2) The LXX translates the word for “Tremble” with the Greek word for “fear.” (3) David’s anger was based on the sinfulness of men. (4) David acknowledged that his anger could easily lead to sin. (5) Dealing with one’s anger is inward, not outward justice. (6) David’s anger is dealt with by medition on God and trust in Him, not by dealing with those men.

[9] Bloom, Jon. “How Can We Be Angry and Not Sin?”

[9] Bloom, Jon. “How Can We Be Angry and Not Sin?” Blog. Desiring God (blog), February 26, 2016. Accessed June 29, 2018. https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/how-can-we-be-angry-and-not-sin.

[10] Keller, The Healing of Anger, sec. 34:28.

[9] Bloom, Jon. “How Can We Be Angry and Not Sin?” Blog. Desiring God (blog), February 26, 2016. Accessed June 29, 2018. https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/how-can-we-be-angry-and-not-sin.

[10] Bloom, Jon. “How Can We Be Angry and Not Sin?”

[11] Keller, The Healing of Anger, sec. 34:28.

Anger: a Display of Love (Various Proverbs)

Anger Defined

Anger Defined

Anger Defined

Anger Defined

Anger’s Root

Anger’s Root

Anger’s Destructive Pattern

Anger’s Destructive Pattern

Anger’s Appropriate Use

Anger’s Appropriate Use

Anger’s Remedy

Anger’s Remedy