Through The Dark Valley Of...Anger

I. Its Potential

1. Anger is a fire.

1) Fire can do great good.

2) Fire can do great harm.

2. Anger is a t­ool.

1) Tools build

2) Tools destroy

II. Its Progression

Ephesians 4:26–27 ESV

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.

1. Transgression

1. Transgression

2. Response

1) Bitterness

2) Rage

3) Anger

4) Harsh words

5) Slander

6) Malicious behavior

III. Its Practice

1. Cultivate its replacements.

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

2. Avoid angry associations.

Proverbs 22:24–25 ESV

Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.

3. Put it away.

Ephesians 4:26–27 ESV

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.

Proverbs 29:8 ESV

Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.

Ephesians 4:26–27 ESV

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.

Ephesians 4:26-27

4. Slow it down.

;

4. Slow it down, ; .

Proverbs 15:1 ESV

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

.

James 1:19–20 ESV

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

1) Softly

2) Constructively

3) Humorously

5. Channel its energy.

Ephesians 4:26 ESV

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

.