Anger
Anger what does this word mean. Webster’s Dictionary says it means wrath, strong emotion to retaliate
Verb tense rouse this emotion in.
Question: What does it mean to retaliate?
It means to get even or take revenge towards someone or something.
What does the Bible say about anger?
The Bible says to be quick to listen slow to speak and slow to become
angry because man’s anger does not please God.
There are many other things the Bible says about anger. A person that is angry and full of bitterness will ultimately destroy himself or herself.
Here are some other things the Bible says in Proverbs about anger.
>Proverbs 14:17 says, "a quick-tempered man acts foolishly".
>Proverbs 16:32 says, "he who is slow to anger is better than the mighty. And he who rules his Spirit than he who takes a city."
>Proverbs 19:19 says, "a man of great wrath will suffer punishment for if you rescue him you will have to do it again."
>Proverbs 21:19 says, "better to dwell in the wilderness than with a contentious an angry woman."
There are many scriptures in the Bible that talk about anger.
Question: Is all anger bad? Every time we get angry is it a sin?
The answer is no there is what is called a righteous anger.
Think of the time when Jesus threw the moneychangers out of the temple and turned over the tables of those who were buying and selling things. He was angry but He did not sin in his anger. His anger was a righteous anger.
There are many things that the body of Christ could and should be angry about and if they were they would not be sinning.
But the anger that I want to talk about is the destructive anger that Satan can use to harm us, and others also.
Anger, if not directed in a proper way will breed bitterness and every form of wickedness.
Do you know the story of Cain and Abel?
Let’s look at the story in Genesis chapter 4 verses 1—8.
See what it says about anger in verses 5-6 -- Because Cain became angry the first murder took place, Cain killed his brother Abel
A good many deaths have taken place because of anger. Jails and prisons are full of angry people that have, and still are, holding grudges in their hearts and lives. Satan would love to see all of us angry and bitter with each other, it would make his job much easier because we would end up destroying ourselves.
Some people may think that having a bad temper and throwing their weight around and having people fear them is a great thing. Personally I think it is a curse. I think it is something the enemy of our souls can use to build arrogance, pride and rebelliousness among other things in our lives.
The greatest commandment in the Bible says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind."
And the second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself.
Today if you are a born again believer and are prone to outbursts of anger and have a hard time controlling it, I would like to encourage you to confess it to God and to seek godly sorrow, for without it I don’t think you can repent (which means to turn away from your sin). Trust the Lord to deliver you from your destructive anger. I believe that is one of the prayers God will be pleased to answer. Praise God!! But remember you didn’t get that way overnight so if you struggle with it for awhile after you pray don’t give up praying. It might take awhile but keep praying. God is faithful and He does answer prayers in His time.
Think of the Apostle Paul, he was a very religious man but he was very angry with everyone who believed in Jesus. But after he was converted and became a believer in Jesus then he loved the believers and became a great missionary. You can read about it in Acts chapter 8.
Now if God loves you just as much as He loved Paul, and He does, and He delivered Paul from his anger, why wouldn’t He deliver you?
