Spirit-led When Anger Threatens

Transcript

Spirit-led When Anger Threatens November 3, 2015
Carrie Smith
God experiences anger. His anger is never sinful. Psalm 7:11
We also experience anger. It can be righteous or unrighteous.

Ephesians 4:26-27, 31-32 “Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity …Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice… And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
Be Angry (4:26)
We are to “put on” the anger that manifests God’s righteousness.
Earmarks of righteous anger:
(1) Godly people are angry when God is angry
(2) Godly anger is not explosive, but is only slowly provoked.
(3) God does not take pleasure in expressing His anger in the judgment of men. 2 Peter 3:9
(4) Godly anger is always under control.  Psalm 78:38

But do not sin (4:26)
Anger is not always evil, but it can easily turn one to evil.

Psalm 4:1-5,8
David has been wrongfully treated. He is right to be angry. He agonizes over the
wickedness of men. He should.
David has done what he could to rebuke the wrongdoers.
David advises himself to act as a righteous man should.
He gives the judgment of his enemies over to God.
David thinks about the virtues of His God. (Rather than mulling over the sins of his
enemies and/or plotting his own retribution.)
David worships God and having put all things into His capable hands, David peacefully
goes to sleep.

Do let the sun go down on your anger (4:26)
While righteous anger is to be slow to originate, it is to be quickly dispelled.
By the end of the day, you are to be at peace with God over the issue.
You may (or may not) have the remaining task of speaking to someone, but as far as you and
God are concerned, the matter is settled before you sleep.

And do not give the devil an opportunity (4:27)
When I function in the realm of the old man (my flesh) then I am in the realm of the devil. I open the door for him. Satan recognizes anger as a fertile field, capable of producing all kinds of sin, and sin is his specialty. What I must do is “shut de door” in the manner of the Psalmist.
And do not give the devil an opportunity continued – Dealing with anger between people

(If we are angry over our circumstances, we remember the sovereign providences of God and His character and meditate on those in light of our situation.)

Anger between believers in the church when sin is involved
Matthew 18:15-17. Start with the first step by coming together with the other person and settling the matter Biblically. Repent. Forgive. Move on.

Anger between you and other believers in non-sin issues
If you need to talk to the other believer, follow the Bible’s guidelines.

Put off the flesh: Ephesians 4:31
Put on the Spirit: Colossians 3:12-14

Anger between you and people in general, believers or not
How will I conduct myself?
Romans 12:17-21

Anger between you and ungodly people or believers acting sinfully
Proverbs 26:4,5
Do not act at the low level of the fool. Do not give the fool the satisfaction of drawing you in to his/her ways. Do not return foolishness with foolishness.
The verses previously mentioned still apply to your conduct.

Tips concerning confrontations – Alexander Strauch (scriptures added)
1. Stop and pray immediately when you sense sinful anger arising in your mind and body.
Proverbs 3:6 “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”
2. Remember that other people are watching how you respond to a provoking situation.
Titus 2:3-5 (6-8 young men) “Older women are likewise are to be reverent in their behavior,
not malicious gossips…that they may encourage the young women…that the word of God
will not be dishonored.”
3. Don’t speak or act until you have control over your emotions.
Proverbs 17:27 “He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is
a man of understanding.”
4. If you do sin in anger, confess and seek forgiveness immediately.”
Ephesians/Colossians passages: humility with God and man
5. If you struggle with anger, avail yourself of the help God provides,
Meditate on pertinent verses and on God’s character.
Ask God for help.
Determine to be obedient.
6. Avoid associating with angry people.
Proverbs 22:24, 25 “Do not associate with a man given to anger; or go with a hot-
tempered man, or you will learn his ways and find a snare for yourself.”