07-22-12 AM - Se7en Series: Anger

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Matthew 5:21 “You have heard that the Law of Moses says do not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment”.  22 “But I say if you are angry with someone, you are subject to judgment”. “If you call someone an idiot you are in danger of being brought before the high counsel, and if you curse someone you are in danger of the fires of hell”.                                                                                               

Anger leads to more destructive sins;- like murder.                      

Unresolved anger in our life is a spiritual issue that will destroy us from the inside out.                                                                              

The philosopher Seneca wrote, “anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured”.                                                                                      

Aristotle wrote, “Anyone can become angry, that’s easy, but to be angry with the right person to the right degree at the right time for the right purpose and in the right way, that is not easy”.                                                                                                            

FIVE BAD RESPONSES TO ANGER:

1. I can satisfy it.

2. I don’t get mad, I get even.                                                       I

Romans 12:19 “Do not take vengeance my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath for it is written vengeance is mine, I will repay says the Lord”.

3. I can express it.

Proverbs 15:18 “Hot tempers start fights; a calm cool spirit keeps the peace”.

4. I can displace it.                                                                            

Ecclesiastes 7:9 “Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, for anger is the friend of fools”.                                                                    

5. I can repress or suppress it.

Repress -hold it inside.

Suppressing -pretend it’s not there.                                                      

Ephesians 4:26-27 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

Matthew 11:28.  “And Jesus said, come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest”.                

Four steps to turning our anger over to God.                                          

#1: Identify what triggers my anger.                                                        

#2 Pray and ask God to help us control anger in the area of ______.                                                                                                      

Proverbs 19:11 “People with good sense restrain their anger”,          

 “When you’re angry count to 10, when you’re very angry count to 100, and if you’re still angry keep on counting”.                                                                                                      

Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath but harsh words stir up anger”.

“God, I’m getting angry right now, help me to control my anger”

“God, help me to remain calm”,

“God, help me not to say something foolish”.

#3. Practice the discipline of silence.                                                      

Proverbs 4:29 “Those who control their anger have great understanding; those with a hasty temper will make mistakes”.   .

#4 - Leave the vengeance to God and respond with love.    

Romans 12:17a-21 Do not repay anyone evil for evil…If it is possible as far as it depends on you live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath for it is written it is mine to avenge, I will repay says the Lord. 20On the contrary, if your enemy is hungry feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head”. 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.                                                                                                            

#5 Repair the damage already caused by anger.                          

Matthew 25:23-26.  “so, if you’re standing before the altar in the temple offering a sacrifice to God and suddenly you remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there beside the altar, go and be reconciled to that person, then come back and offer your sacrifice to God”.                                                                                                    
“then, come to terms quickly with your enemy before it is too late and you are dragged into court, handed over to an officer, and thrown into jail.  I assure you that you won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny”.

“We’re not at peace with others because we are not at peace with ourselves, and we are not at peace with ourselves because we are not at peace with God”