By Bro. Joel Uto (08033972734)

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INTRODUCTION

The word anger if d added to its spelling, the word becomes danger. Ephesians 4:26 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath. This shows that anger may not be so good but on the other hand, if anger is created in man or developed in man, it could not just be entirely bad or dangerous. However, is the anger of man in Christians justified with God?

James 1:19‐20 19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Anger is a strong feeling of displeasure and hostility or antagonism toward someone or something. Anger is a powerful emotion that often causes damage but it can also be righteous. It is obvious that verbal abuse and physical violence should be ruled out or avoided but anger can lead to other sins that are just as deadly.

 

In Isaiah 64:9, the prophet prays “do not be angry beyond measure O LORD…”

This passage implies God measures His anger in a way that fits each occasion. The Lord also expects us to learn to control our anger so it is appropriate and does not cause us to sin.

 

SOME BIBLE INSTRUCTIONS ON ANGER

• We can be angry but don’t sin in your anger ‐ Ephesians 4:26‐29 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

 

• We are to stop our sinful anger ‐ Psalm 37:8 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm. Ephesians 4:31 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.

 

• We are to consider the effects and dangers of our anger ‐ Proverbs 19:11 11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and his glory is to overlook a transgression. Luke 22:24 24 Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.

 

• We are to be slow to anger ‐ Proverbs 14:29 29 He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, but he who is impulsive exalts folly.
  Proverbs 15:18 18 A wrathful man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger allays contention. 1 Corinthians 13:4 4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up.

 

• We have the privilege to overlook some transgression ‐ Proverbs 19:11 11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and his glory is to overlook a transgression.

 

• We are not to stir up anger in others ‐ Proverbs 15:1 1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
  Ephesians 6:4 4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Causes of anger include selfishness, jealousy, pride, addiction, guilt ‐ James 3:6, 14‐15 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self‐seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
Proverbs 21:24 24 A proud and haughty man—“Scoffer” is his name; he acts with arrogant pride. 1 Peter 2:11 11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul (Prov 13:15).

 

To deal with sinful anger in our Christian lives is very important.

This is possible by getting rid of excuses ‐ 2 Corinthians 5:7 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Judging anger in our thought life ‐ Ecclesiastes 7:9 9 Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.

 

Realize we can take control of anger ‐ Galatians 5:23 23 gentleness, selfcontrol. Against such there is no law.

We must not be bottled up ‐ Romans 12:21 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Above all we must use Bible principle and prayers ‐ Matthew 5:44 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.
Philippians 4:8 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy— meditate on these things.

 

EXAMPLES OF ANGER

I. Righteous anger – that which comes from God upon His children, even from Christ, to correct wrongdoings against God. God’s anger with Israel; Christ was anger with Peter; gambling in the house of God ‐ Psalm 7:11 11 God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day. 2 Kings 17:18 18 Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them from His sight; there was none left but the tribe of Judah alone.
Exodus 16:20 20 Notwithstanding they did not heed Moses. But some of them left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them.
John 2:13‐16 13 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. 15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. 16 And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!”

 

II. Unrighteous anger – that which comes with committing evils and sins – Cain, Esau, Moses, Herod, the elder brother of the prodigal and Peter at the trial of Christ show this sinful anger.

What is bad about anger is the way we express it. Sometimes when anger comes and within it you begin to commit evil is dangerous. Some men disown or disclaim family, children e.t.c or murder as a result of anger. This kind of expressing anger is bad. Anger should not be expressed in aggression and hostility. Anger has good and useful purpose if it is used correctly. If it is not used correctly, it can lead to sin. Even when mixed with malice – Eph. 4:26, 31.
The danger of sinful anger is that:

• Anger increases risk of heart and cardiovascular system.

 

• It frequently causes the wear and tear of the heart and cardiovascular system says Jerry Kiffer MA, a heart and brain researcher at the Cleveland Psychological Testing Centre. Your heart beat faster, the adrenaline begins to flow more, sugar is released in your body, your blood pressure rises, the pupils of your eyes open wide, you become highly alert or agitated and

 

•  It damages the liver and kidney. C‐reactive Protein (CRP) is a substance known to promote heart disease and stroke is produced in higher levels with people who are often time angry.

 

• It fuels depression.

 

• It slows the body’s healing process. A cheerful heart is good medicine that is what the Bible says.

 

• It leads to death and eternal condemnation if  ‘unrepented.’ People have died in the moment of aggressive anger.

 

• It severe relationship. Relationships have been severed, broken consequent upon aggressive anger.

 CONCLUSION

Forgiveness and self control should be exercised otherwise our anger is not righteous. We must respond with wisdom and quiet spirit than being emotional.

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