Anger: Sin or Personality?
We all have times to anger and frustration where we lose our self-control or seethe beneath the surface. Scientific studies have proven that stress—often caused by anger left unresolved—is directly linked to many life-threatening diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and muscular sclerosis. It seems that the human body is not built for sustained anger or stress; indeed, not only does anger make relationships difficult to maintain but it causes physical symptoms that cannot be denied.
Although the Bible says “be ye angry and sin not,” anger has a way of becoming bitterness and destroying. Perhaps this is why this same scripture admonishes us to “let not the sun go down upon your wrath” (Eph. 4:26). Consider these words of wisdom the next time your temper begins to get the better of you.
Your words—whether directed at the object of your wrath, at God, or in privacy to yourself—has power in the spirit realm as well as in your body. Proverbs 18:21 says that “death and life are in the power of the tongue.” What we say does matter…both to others and to ourselves.
Proverbs 15:1 admonishes us that a “soft answer turneth away wrath,” making reconciliation easier and the sustenance of healthy relationships more likely. Notice, an answer is a response…a reaction. This means that you often are not the cause of the situation that causes anger; instead, we can sometimes be victims who must react to attacks against our person. That response, however, must be a soft answer.
A person who cannot return a soft answer when challenged cannot be a true leader and cannot protect anyone. Proverbs 25:28 tells us that “he that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” Such a city is uninhabitable. Not only can we not protect our families and friends or lead others in ministry, but do you truly think God will inhabit a broken down city?
The best advice? Jesus admonished us, “whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew 5:39). For as children of God, we will often be the subjects of persecution.Matthew 10:22 tells us that “ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”
Although the Bible says “be ye angry and sin not,” anger has a way of becoming bitterness and destroying. Perhaps this is why this same scripture admonishes us to “let not the sun go down upon your wrath” (Eph. 4:26). Consider these words of wisdom the next time your temper begins to get the better of you.
Your words—whether directed at the object of your wrath, at God, or in privacy to yourself—has power in the spirit realm as well as in your body. Proverbs 18:21 says that “death and life are in the power of the tongue.” What we say does matter…both to others and to ourselves.
Proverbs 15:1 admonishes us that a “soft answer turneth away wrath,” making reconciliation easier and the sustenance of healthy relationships more likely. Notice, an answer is a response…a reaction. This means that you often are not the cause of the situation that causes anger; instead, we can sometimes be victims who must react to attacks against our person. That response, however, must be a soft answer.
A person who cannot return a soft answer when challenged cannot be a true leader and cannot protect anyone. Proverbs 25:28 tells us that “he that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” Such a city is uninhabitable. Not only can we not protect our families and friends or lead others in ministry, but do you truly think God will inhabit a broken down city?
The best advice? Jesus admonished us, “whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew 5:39). For as children of God, we will often be the subjects of persecution.Matthew 10:22 tells us that “ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”
Mankind and Anger:
Proverbs 15:18 Colossians 3:21 Proverbs 29:22 Ecclesiastes 7:9 Psalm 37:8 James 1:19,20 Proverbs 14:17 Proverbs 16:32 Proverbs 22:24-25 Colossians 3:8 Ephesians 4:31-32 Romans 12:19-21 Matthew 5:22
“A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife” (Proverbs 15:18).
“Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged” (Col. 3:21).
“An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression” (Prov. 29:22).
“Be not hasty in spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools” (Eccl. 7:9).
“Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil” (Ps. 37:8).
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God” (James 1:19,20).
“He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly” (Prov. 14:17).
“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city” (Prov. 16:32).
“Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go. Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul” (Prov. 22:24-25).
“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth” (Col. 3:8).
“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Eph. 4:31-32).
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, said the Lord. Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:19-21).
“But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment” (Matt. 5:22).
Psalm 145:8 Nehemiah 9:17 Psalm 30:5 Deuteronomy 6:14-16
“The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion, slow to anger, and of great mercy” (Ps. 145:8).
“A God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness” (Neh. 9:17).
“For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Ps. 30:5).
“Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth. Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God” (Deut. 6:14-16).
Instances Where God Was Angered:
Numbers 11:1 Numbers 12:9 Numbers 22:22 Numbers 32:13
The Children of Israel were ungrateful. “And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp” (Num. 11:1).
The Israelites disobeyed God’s command. “And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed” (Num. 12:9).
Balaam insisted on prophesying falsely when God had instructed him otherwise. “And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against [Balaam]” (Num. 22:22).
Lacking faith in God’s promise of Canaan, the Israelites chose to believe the evil report and forfeited the promise God had given them. “And the LORD'S anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the LORD, was consumed” (Num. 32:13).
