Overcoming the Sin of Anger

anger

• orge - signified anger as being the strongest of all passions.

• thumos - an outburst of wrath resulting from inward indignation.

• The difference between the two words is that while thumos is more volatile in its manifestation, orge is deep seeded and long lasting in its nature.

What is Wrong With Uncontrolled Anger?

1. It Leads To Sin

1. It Leads To Sin

“Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.”

Ephesians 4:26-27

1. It Leads To Sin

“An angry man stirs up strife, and a furious man abounds in transgression.”

Proverbs 29:22

1. It Leads To Sin

“…So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.’”

Genesis 4:5-7, NASV

2. Resides in the Same Place in the Heart as Murder

2. Resides in the Same Place in the Heart as Murder

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment...”

Matthew 5:21-22

2. Resides in the Same Place in the Heart as Murder

“Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”

1 John 3:15

3. Condemned as a Work of the Flesh

3. Condemned as a Work of the Flesh

“…hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath…” “…those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Galatians 5:19-21

4. Characteristic of a Fool

4. Characteristic of a Fool

“Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.”

Ecclesiastes 7:9

4. Characteristic of a Fool

“A fool’s wrath is known at once, but a prudent man covers shame.”

Proverbs 12:16

5. Fruits Are Hard To Overcome

5. Fruits Are Hard To Overcome

“A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, but a fool’s wrath is heavier than both of them.”

Proverbs 27:3

5. Fruits Are Hard To Overcome

“A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; for if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.”

Proverbs 19:19

6. Does Not Accomplish the Will of God

6. Does Not Accomplish the Will of God

“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

James 1:19-20

What is Wrong With Uncontrolled Anger?

1. Leads To Sin2. Resides in the Same Place in the Heart As

Murder3. Condemned as a Work of the Flesh4. Characteristic of a Fool5. Fruits Are Hard To Overcome6. Does Not Accomplish the Will of God

How To Overcome Anger

1. Patience

1. Patience

“A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of wicked intentions is hated.”

“He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, but he who is impulsive exalts folly.”

Proverbs 14:17, 29

1. Patience

“A wrathful man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger allays contention.”

Proverbs 15:18

1. Patience

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another...”

Colossians 3:12-13

2. Forgiveness

2. Forgiveness

“…forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”

Colossians 3:13

3. Self-Control

3. Self-Control

“He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”

Proverbs 16:32

3. Self-Control

“A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back.”

Proverbs 29:11

4. A Soft Answer

4. A Soft Answer

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Proverbs 15:1

5. Discretion

5. Discretion

“The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and his glory is to overlook a transgression.”

Proverbs 19:11

How To Overcome Anger

1. Patience2. Forgiveness3. Self-Control4. A Soft Answer5. Discretion