God’s Word: The Path to Life - Anger

Anger is a really interesting emotion – it seems to influence and control us, without us even recognizing it!

In a recent conversation with a Childcare Mother I asked her how things were going at home (we talk about her children and their issues occasionally); she immediately launched into a tirade, mentioning several of her family members and their flaws!  She didn’t ‘get angry,’ at me, of course – but the moment she started talking the anger exploded within her, and led her into a rant she didn’t plan.

Anger does that, doesn’t it?  Not only can it ruin a situation with a loved-one, it can seemingly take control of us, and cause us to act in ways we would never choose on our own.

 

One of the most important abilities you can teach a child, and one of the most powerful and life-changing ability an adult can have, is how to graciously and effectively handle and express their anger!   No matter your looks, or intellect, or abilities or gifts, your uncontrolled anger can mar every aspect of your life! 

As we consider this truth, you should not be surprised when you discover that God’s Word has a lot to say regarding this powerful emotion, anger. 

 

READ Ephesians 4:26-32

 

Because the way we deal with anger affects every area of our lives, it is important we consider the spiritual side of our emotions:

The practice of our faith is directly impacted by the way we handle our anger.

           

There is a general understanding that anger is a normal, typical emotion, experienced by everyone.  In the judicial system and in most areas of life this is assumed, and anger control or “anger management” is merely the idea of applying practical steps to help people calm themselves down; things such as counting to 10 before you speak,  or taking a break from a situation when you feel anger building, among other methods are taught.  And, to be honest, these practices help – they’re better than nothing!  However, the Christian, Bible-based position adds another dimension to the understanding of anger.  Instead of a simple emotion, and utilization of practical methods of anger management, Scriptures teach us that our anger: the way we experience and express it, is more than just simple emotion – it is a spiritual issue, too!  If you understand that your anger is affected by your Christian faith, subject to biblical teachings and the work of the Holy Spirit within you, you can gain additional helps in dealing with your anger effectively!  Here are a few of the biblical teachings regarding this incredibly powerful emotion, instilled within us by God in creation:

 

“Be angry, and yet do not sin”; “do not give the Devil an opportunity.”  (vv.26, 27)  In these two verses Paul mentions the connection between anger and sin; he then comments that the Devil can use our anger as an opportunity to lead us into sin and away from God.  Temptations towards violence, sinful action, and unchristian behavior are almost automatic in times of anger!Paul had seen this in his own life, and the lives of others – anger was a primary way by which people would fall into sinful practices!   More than mere emotion, our anger has the ability to touch us in our most inward parts, and affect us in ways that are as profound as any other emotion – including love. 

 

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger . . . do not grieve the Holy Spirit. .. put away” (vv.29-30) Here Paul mentions several damaging ways anger is expressed, telling us that these actions “grieve” the Holy Spirit.  In other words, God takes our sin seriously, and the sins based in anger seem to be particularly offensive to God!  Perhaps the most insidious part of anger is that it seems completely natural and even “justified.”  Uncontrolled anger is almost ‘normal,’ and we have to be taught, and develop skills, to handle it well.

 

“does not achieve the righteousness of God.” (James 1:20)  This is the big reason – your anger isn’t something God chooses to use – it does not serve the cause of righteousness and God’s Kingdom when we sin in the process - no matter how you rationalize it!  This may be aimed at Christians who claim “righteous anger” in attacking their opponents – be very careful!

 

Your anger, and how you express, is a spiritual issue!  It affects how you live out your faith, and what kind of witness and impact you might have on others. Because of this,

 

We must deal with our anger from a perspective of faith.

 

Whenever you mentions the words “spiritual” or “faith” people oftentimes have thoughts of ideas that are impractical, or not applicable to normal, everyday life.  When the Bible addresses issues such as anger, though, nothing could be further from the truth!  Here are a few biblical teachings regarding how to deal with the emotion of anger:

 

Handling Anger

 

Deal with anger in a spiritual manner.  (4:30) Paul here mentions the Holy Spirit’s involvement – He is grieved with all our sin, including sin and bad behaviors based in anger.  Using Paul’s mention of the Holy Spirit, we are also to remember what he wrote in his letter to the Galatian church, “The fruit of the Spirit is. . . peace, kindness, kindness, self-control.” (5:22-23) 

 

“Fruits of the Spirit” are the result of our openness and submission to God’s Spirit at work in our lives!  Also, 5 of the 9 characteristics mentioned are directly related to the control of our anger; we can infer from this that the “self-control” that comes from the Holy Spirit’s influence in our lives would greatly apply to the way we tolerate and express our anger, and whether or not we allow it to affect and influence us in any way.   

 

Heed biblical teaching.  (26)  Not only must we not allow our anger to lead us into sin, we must integrate the way we deal with anger into our daily lives.  James’s instruction regarding anger is always appropriate: “Let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” (1:19) Simply: Listen to others, and don’t speak before you are sure what you want to say and how you want to say it, and don’t allow the situation to control you.

 

Remember God’s grace (v.30) You are Christian; your sins have been forgiven by God who is gracious and instead of expressing his anger towards our sin with punishment, offered us the grace that saved us.  Your ‘experienced’ faith can instruct you in your relationships with others!

         

In anger, the desires of our flesh are to attack and hurt and destroy; but Paul says this: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”

 

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