ANGER

Why do I get angry?

GENESIS 4:4-5    The LORD accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.

NUMBERS 22:29   "You have made me look like a fool!" Balaam shouted.

ESTER 3:5   When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect, he was filled with rage.

Anger is often a reaction to your pride being hurt. It is common to feel angry when you have been confronted about your own sinful actions because you don't want others to think you have done something wrong.

1 SAMUEL 18:8   Saul became very angry. "What's this?" he said. "They credit David with ten thousand and me with only thousands. Next, they'll be making him the king!" 

Anger is often a reaction of jealousy to what others have or to what others have accomplished. 

What are the effects of anger?

GENESIS 27:41-43    Esau hated Jacob because their father had given Jacob the blessing, And Esau began to scheme:...I will kill my brother, Jacob." But Rebekah heard about Esau's plans. So she sent for Jacob and told him, "Listen, Esau is...plotting to kill you...Flee to my brother, Laban, in Haran." 

Anger isolates you from others.

PSALM 37:8   Stop being angry!...Do not lose your temper it only leads to harm.

JAMES 1:19-20    You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.

Anger produces ungodliness and evil motives in you.

1 SAMUEL 20:30-31   Saul boiled with rage at Jonathan...As long as that son of Jesse is alive, you'll

never be king, Now go and get him so I can kill him. 

Anger blinds you to what is really good and right. In its strongest form, anger can lead to murder.

PROVERBS 15:1   A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

Anger leads to conflict and arguments.

What makes God angry?

EPHESIANS 2:2-3   You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil...He is the spirits at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God's anger, just like everyone else.

God cannot wink at or tolerate sin, for sin is a deliberate violation of his righteousness and makes him angry.

JUDGES 2:13-14   They abandoned the LORD...This made the LORD burn with anger.

When people deliberately turn away from God and abandon him, it angers God because he created them for relationship.

MALACHI 3:5    "At that time I will put you on trial...I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress windows and orphans, or who deprive the foreigners living among you of justice, for these people do not fear me." says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.

God gets angry when people neglect or abuse the unfortunate and those in need.

Is God angry with me?

PSALM 145:8   The LORD is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:9   God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.

The Bible promises that God is kind and merciful and always ready to receive you, and all his children, with love. The "always-angry God" is one of the worst caricatures ever attributed to God. His anger toward us is conveyed with gentle discipline and is an expression of love in action.

We all get angry at times, so what should I do about it?

EPHESIANS 4:26-27   "Don't sin by letting anger control you." Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, fr anger gives a foothold to the devil. 

Stay under control of the Holy Spirit through prayer, and try to resolve anger quickly, Like a skunk in the house, anger permeates all aspect of your life. Don't encourage anger to stay by feeding it. Get rid of it as soon as possible. 

EPHESIAN 6:4    Do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them.

Avoid punishing your children in the heart of anger.

MATTHEW 5:21-22,24   Jesus said,"You have heard that our ancestors were told, 'You must not murder'...But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment!...Go and be reconciled to that person."

JAMES 3:5   The tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.

Avoid "speaking your mind" when you are angry. You are bound to say something you will regret. Calmly confront those with whom you are angry in order ti restore your relationship.

1 SAMUEL 19:9-10   As David played his harp, Saul hurled his spear at David. But David dodged out of the way, and leaving the spear stuck in the wall, he fled and escaped into the night.

Avoid acting on impulse in the heart of anger. You are bound to do something you will regret.

1 CORINTHIANS 13:5   Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

Love is the mightiest weapon in overcoming anger.

Promise from God   PSALM 103:8   The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.