Weeds of Anger

Intro:

Well this evening, I want us to look at these weeds of anger.

so we’ll work through two main questions that will help us to be aways of these sins associated with anger and how we can deal with it biblically.

First, we will consider the question, What are some of the weeds of anger?

secondly, we will consider how to deal with it?

So lets consider the first question.

What are some of the weeds of anger?

Well, the first one is the sin of....

Resentment

What is resentment? Well, it is anger that one holds onto (Bridges 126).

It is an intense feeling due to received injustice or wrong doing or some unfair treatment of another… often, an unfair treatment of us.

how does this manifest?

well, often, it manifest itself internally. That is, this starts in the heart and expresses itself in our thoughts.

It is not a apparent in our actions. This is not as expressive as an outburst of anger.

Resentment is a sin that is tolerated by us, primarily because it is no as expressive and so we tend to over look it.

however, when unchecked it can cause much devastation to relationships.

There is a second result that builds on resentment and that is....

Bitterness

Resentment and bitterness are synonyms.... However, there is a nuance between them.

What is bitterness? According to bridges, this is resentment that has grown into ongoing animosity. It is really unresolved, unforgiven anger and resentment.

Resentment may dissolve over time. However, bitterness is ongoing.

It leaves bitter taste in your mouth.

This characterizes the unbeliever.

In the course of an argument showing that both Jews and Gentiles are “under the power of Sin” in Rom 3:9, Paul says of sinners,

Romans 3:14 NASB95

“Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness”;

and when this respectable sin is left unchecked… It leads to trouble.

Hebrews 12:15 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;

it does not only affect you only… It affects everyone with whom you come into contact with.

It first and foremost impacts your relationship with God. Then it begins to impact negatively your relationship with others. Particually those closest to you.

Thus, Scripture commands us to put off bitterness.

In Eph 4:31, bitterness heads a list of vices (alongside rage and anger), that the Christian is called to put off.

Ephesians 4:31 NASB95

31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

when you don’t deal with it,

perhaps, you may be here this evening and you realize that you struggle with the sin of bitterness.

maybe you have known about it and have ignored it...

maybe you are realizing it now. ..

Enmity and Hostility

Grudge

Strife

Romans 13:13 NASB95

Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.

1 Corinthians 3:3 NASB95

for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?

How do you deal with it?

1. it begins with acknowledging it and repenting from it

2. it also considers the sovereignty of God