A study on Anger
/image%2F1392864%2F20210221%2Fob_208cd3_anger-management-320.jpg)
Text: Jonah 4:1-4
Jonah, a prophet - got angry with God because God desired of him to preach salvation to the people of Nineveh. His anger and disobedience led him into many problems.
Anger can cause untimely death. Anger can cause people to fall and destroy their destinies. Anger destroys relationship with God and man.
Pride goes before a fall, a haughty spirit before destruction. Prov 16:18.
Moses was not able to lead his people to the promise Land because of anger and disobedience to God. "Speak to the rock" and he struck it out of pride, anger and disobedience. Exodus 17:1-7.
Disobedience will cause anyone to fall.
Anger can make you a loser. Anger leads to regrets.
Sermonist: Ajaye Lawal (Church of Christ, Oforikrom -Kumasi, Ghana. 21/02/21)
Further study on Anger
James: 1:19. NLT: "Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry."
1.The Bible warns that holding on to anger can lead to sin, which is just one of many reasons why letting go of anger can be something to work towards.
2.Additionally, letting go of anger clears your mind for more positive things in your life such as joy and gratitude.
The Bible gives more clarity on the subject of Anger. Let's go through some of them:
1.Don’t give in to worry or anger; it only leads to trouble.” — Psalm 37:8
The Good News: When you can act based on your negative emotions, you might make the wrong decisions, so take your time to calm down before doing anything.
2.People with quick tempers cause a lot of quarreling and trouble.” — Proverbs 29:22
The Good News: When someone is angry, they might take out their emotions on other people and cause problems and fights. Try and stay away from those people.
3.Keep your temper under control; it is foolish to harbor a grudge.” — Ecclesiastes 7:9
The Good News: A lot of situations can make us react angrily and that’s perfectly normal. But we shouldn’t hold grudges because it’s pointless and exhausting.
4. A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” — Proverbs 15:1
The Good News: When someone who is angry confronts you, don’t fight with them. Try and talk to them calmly as it’ll help calm them down and make their anger go away.
5. If you become angry, do not let your anger lead you into sin, and do not stay angry all day.” — Ephesians 4:26
The Good News: When we’re angry, we can do something we might regret later or act in a way that could hurt those around us. Wait until the anger dissipates before making a decision or taking action
6. People with a hot temper do foolish things; wiser people remain calm.” — Proverbs 14:17
The Good News: Anger is a normal response to some situations, but it’s how you respond to them that makes you who you are.
7. But I promise you that if you are angry with someone, you will have to stand trial. If you call someone a fool, you will be taken to court. And if you say that someone is worthless, you will be in danger of the fires of hell.” — Matthew 5:22
The Good News: All actions have consequences, especially if you act out of anger and pettiness
8. Get rid of all bitterness, passion, and anger. No more shouting or insults, no more hateful feelings of any sort.” — Ephesians 4:31
The Good News: An angry person often pushes those around them away. When confronted with a situation that makes you angry, choose to remain calm and talk things out rather than fighting with the other person.
9. “But keep away from foolish and ignorant arguments; you know that they end up in quarrels. As the Lord’s servant, you must not quarrel. You must be kind toward all, a good and patient teacher, who is gentle as you correct your opponents, for it may be that God will give them the opportunity to repent and come to know the truth.” — 2 Timothy 2:23-25
The Good News: When we surround ourselves with other people, we can pick up some of their mannerisms, including their negative reactions to situations. Stay away from those people who pick a fight over everything because it goes against God’s wishes.
10. “Those who control their anger have great understanding; those with a hasty temper will make mistakes.” — Proverbs 14:29
The Good News: We only have great power when we control our emotions and have patience, unlike those who let their anger take over.
11. Don’t let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.” — Romans 12:21
The Good News: Choose to do good, rather than acting on your negative emotions.
12. “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” — James 1:19-20
The Good News: Keep your faith in God and trust that He will guide you in dealing with a situation. But try to react without anger because an angry person is prone to sinning and that goes against God’s word.
13. Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.” — Proverbs 29:11
The Good News: Only foolish people let their rage take over, unlike wise ones who keep their anger in check.
14. “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered.” — Proverbs 22:24
The Good News: This Bible verse is an example of the quote: “Tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are.” When we associate with people who have a bad temper, we can start to act like them.
15. What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.” — James 4:1-2
The Good News: Anger and jealousy can make you act out, which can lead to sin. Instead of taking from others, ask God to provide you with what you need and to give you control over your anger.
16. “Insightful people restrain their anger; their glory is to ignore an offense.” — Proverbs 19:11
The Good News: God grants glory to those who recognize their anger and control it.
17. “Better to be patient than a warrior, and better to have self-control than to capture a city.” — Proverbs 16:32
The Good News: Patience is a virtue that everyone can practice and exercise.
18. “Hotheads stir up conflict, but patient people calm down strife.” — Proverbs 15:18
The Good News: Know that the first person to draw up arms is not often the first person to settle a conflict; be calm in your response for the best outcome.
19. “But now set aside these things, such as anger, rage, malice, slander, and obscene language.” — Colossians 3:8
The Good News: Everyone feels anger, rage, and malice at different times and in different situations, but the Lord urges you to set them aside.
20. “The Lord is compassionate and merciful, very patient, and full of faithful love.” — Psalm 103:8
The Good News: Finding yourself being angry every once in a while will never stop God from loving you
21. Don’t try to get revenge for yourselves, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath. It is written, Revenge belongs to me; I will pay it back, says the Lord.” — Romans 12:19
The Good News: What goes around comes around, but it's up to the Lord, not to you, to make sure there's justice
22. “Therefore, I want men to pray everywhere by lifting up hands that are holy, without anger or argument.” — 1 Timothy 2:8
The Good News: God urges you to come to Him and to prayer and leave your anger at the door.
23. “The Lord responded, ‘Is your anger a good thing?’” — Jonah 4:4
The Good News: God asks you to question the purpose of your anger — what is it doing for you, and can you set it aside to allow better things into your life?
24. “Fools reveal their anger right away, but the shrewd hide their contempt.” — Proverbs 12:16
The Good News: Everyone can feel anger, but it's how you react to that feeling that displays your character.
25. God is a righteous judge, a God who is angry at evil every single day.” — Psalm 7:11
The Good News: See how God's anger is directed toward evil and how that cause is much more valuable than the earthy things we tend to direct our anger toward.
26. “Looking around at them with anger, deeply grieved at their unyielding hearts, he said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ So he did, and his hand was made healthy.” — Mark 3:5
The Good News: Turning toward God in moments of anger can be a helpful tool in relieving yourself of the weighty feeling.
27. Do everything without grumbling and arguing.” — Philippians 2:14
The Good News: Everything you do can be done with a more positive mindset.
28. As for parents, don’t provoke your children to anger, but raise them with discipline and instruction about the Lord.” — Ephesians 6:4
The Good News: As a parent, it's important to remember that your children are always learning from your example, so be cautious of how you display anger toward or around them
29. You are storing up wrath for yourself because of your stubbornness and your heart that refuses to change. God’s just judgment will be revealed on the day of wrath.” — Romans 2:5
The Good News: Save wrath for God and judgment day, and instead open your heart to love and positivity.
30. “Surely anger can kill the foolish; fury can kill the simple.” — Job 5:2
The Good News: Anger can eat away at you, so be careful how long and in what ways you hold onto it.
31. “You must not hate your fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your fellow Israelite strongly, so you don’t become responsible for his sin.” — Leviticus 19:17
The Good News: This is another example of God commanding us to love our neighbor, and to aid them on their path to love.
32. “Because churning milk makes curds, squeezing the nose brings blood, and stirring up anger produces strife.” — Proverbs 30:33
The Good News: Every action has a consequence, and no good can come from holding onto anger.
33.
“Violent people entice their neighbors and walk them down a path that isn’t good.” — Proverbs 16:29
The Good News: Anger only builds more anger around it; kindness can conjure more kindness.
34. Don’t let any foul words come out of your mouth. Only say what is helpful when it is needed for building up the community so that it benefits those who hear what you say.” — Ephesians 4:29
The Good News: Know that your words have power, and wield them in a way that is positive and helpful for your community.
35. “Everyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that murderers don’t have eternal life residing in them.” — 1 John 3:15
The Good News: Be thoughtful about how you behave toward others, and always choose kindness and empathy first.
sources:
https://www.womansday.com/life/inspirational-stories/g29328885/bible-verses-about-anger/. (21/02/21)