Anger

The Book of Proverbs has much to say about the subject of anger and strife. The reason why is because they have done so much harm to our family and friendly relationships that they rank as the number one killer of them. They quickly make their abode in our homes, pushing out all love and harmony between husbands, wives, parents, and children. Once they settle in, it is very difficult to get rid of them.  In many cases, only the power of God and His Word can drive them out.

Because God’s Word is so simple, clear and powerful on the subject of anger, this lesson is going to be saturated with Scripture concerning God’s advice and warnings about this deadly killer. So, let’s buckle up and get started.

What God Says About an Angry Person

• A fool

(Ecclesiastes 7:9), “Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools.”

• In danger of judgment

(Matthew 5:22), “But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment…”

• To be avoided

(Proverbs 22:24-25), “Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go, Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul.”

What Causes Anger

• Grievous words

(Proverbs 15:1), “A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

• Offending

(Proverbs 18:19), “A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle.”

• Short fuses; low tolerance

(Proverbs 14:17), “A quick-tempered man acts foolishly…”

• Pride

(Proverbs 28:25), “He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife…”

The Damage of Anger

• Like a fire out of control, it could start something that will be hard to put out. The Innocent suffer. Anger burns everything in its path.

(Proverbs 26:21), “As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.”

• Causes loss of control, reasoning, and defense. “People who fly in a rage always make a bad landing.” “Swallowing angry words before you say them is better than having to eat them later on.”

(Proverbs 25:28), “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls.”

The idea here is, you are opening yourself up to the attack of a lot of bad stuff that wants to come charging in and take you down. Anger pushes us to hasty decisions that cause bitterness, guilt, and regret. Success in business, school, and home can be ruined by one who has lost control of anger.

• Prevents the right results

(Luke 9:51-56), “Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them…”

James and John were angry. They were thinking “Who do those Samaritans think they are not accepting us into their company?!” They wanted them dead, but Jesus set them straight and showed them that the Samaritan’s need for salvation was much greater than to let our pride and anger get the best of us.

Please, please, remember…. we want everyone to be in Heaven. Before allowing anger to get the best of you, remember, their eternity is at stake.

• Causes you to be foolish. Judge John A. Weeks spotted a man sitting in the rear of his courtroom wearing a hat. Out of anger, he ordered the man to leave. Later, a clerk called for the burglary case of George A. Rodge. Rodge didn’t come forward. The judge was furious! But the clerk replied, “Your honor, that is the man you ordered from the courtroom!” Police are still looking for Rodge.

(Proverbs 14:17), “A quick-tempered man acts foolishly…”

How to Control Anger

• Be slow to anger and in control.

(Proverbs 15:18), “A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays (calms) contention.”

• By discretion, (look for the cause), turn an evil situation and make it right.

(Proverbs 19:11), “The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger…”

• By a gift

(Proverbs 21:14), “A gift in secret pacifies anger…”

This may sound silly, but try it. IT WORKS!

• Leave; get away.

(Proverbs 21:19), “Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.”

Give yourself some space and let the fire die down.

• Cast out the scorner; separate yourself from them (but do it in love)

(Proverbs 22:10), “Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave; Yes, strife and reproach will cease.”

• Give a soft answer

(Proverbs 15:1), “A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.”

• Don’t let the sun go down upon your wrath.

(Ephesians 4:26), “…do not let the sun go down on your wrath,”

Blessings of a Controlled Spirit

• Wisdom

(Proverbs 14:29), “He who is slow to wrath has great understanding…”

• Strength

(Proverbs 16:32), “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”