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Jesus expressed anger on occasion. He was upset with folks who demeaned others or demeaned God, but yet he expressed it as a way of helping others. He had their interest at heart and he challenged them through anger. But selfish anger, bad temper, irritability and all of that are inappropriate. We should handle the things of the flesh God’s way, not our own. Just as in our study on “Fear”. God doesn’t say it is a sin to Fear nor to have anger, but it is a sin to stay that way. We must work and be willing to see things for what they are, as for it to better us. Lets see what our Father has shown us.

Anger is not in itself a sinful thing 

Genesis 19:13 For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it.

God even gets mad. Look what He did to those of Sodom that refused to follow the way He has given. These rejected EVERYTHING of God and went their way. It would grow to be worse, not better. Look at today, the USA has the choice in this election of a muslim or mormon. Chains being put on everything you do and all good in the world is called evil and evil is called good. The time has come and you had better wake up to it.

Psalm 7:11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.

Those that wrong us cause us to anger, but He is going to take care of it for us. Our Father gives us a chance everyday we are alive to come out of the evil and turn to the good. With it, we please Him and receive reward.

1 Kings 11:9 And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,

Solomon turned from God’s covenant and statutes. He let in other gods and fell for the things of the worldly. For this God was angry.

1 Kings 11:38 And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.

Do right to others and be blessed by those acts. If they turn from truth, it will anger you, but turn from them until you can cool down enough to help them, not hurt them. Build a strong house.

2 Kings 17:18-20  18 Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only. But Even Judah would turn from God.  19 Also Judah kept not the commandments of the Lord their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made. Our Father wasn’t going to stand for it. He divorced Israel.  20 And the Lord rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight. All the seed = The 12 tribes. Don’t put up with evil. Our Father doesn’t want us to stay in anger. When those don’t do what is right, do away with the wrong. Christians are not doormats.

Mark 3:5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

The Pharisees wanted to see what Jesus would do on the Sabbath. The LORDS work is everyday not one day or six. When we see someone in need, do something about it. Doing nothing will anger God.

Slow to anger

Proverbs 14:16-17  16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.  17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated. 

When we allow anger to be our first emotion in dealing with things, the outcome will not be the right one. I myself have to take a deep breath and walk away from things.

Proverbs 14:29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

If something makes us mad, we should never jump at the first emotion. If someone is wronging us and we go from him or her yet they continue to come after you. Then wrath is what they seek. We must stay calm and remember they are just either stupid or ignorant. 

James 1:19-20  19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: Take the time to listen, think about what you will say and he doesn’t say to with hold from an action of defense, but to give it time and think it out. If it is needed, then give it!    20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. This is in an automatic response. That is in unrighteousness. As shown in verse 19, we must be slow to wrath.

Love Covers

Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

We must see that in love we plant God’s Word to all those that hate and love us. Why? Because we are all kin when you see the big picture. All souls come from our Father, who created all things.

Proverbs 12:16 A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

How we handle things shows others who we are. They may not see that righteousness of our actions at first but they will eventually.

Proverbs 17:9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

You do what you can to make it right to the ones you have wronged.

Proverbs 19:11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

This is in judgment of the person exercising the characteristics of their behavior. Use good judgment of others. John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.  and  Matt. 7:20  We shall know them by their fruits 

1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

Have a passion for giving. It will cover a multitude of sins, but not if your doing it for self. You must have first a passion for God and doing it for Him, in His Work.

Seek The Way

1 Corinthians 13:4-5  4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, If you’re doing it for prestige than you are not doing anything for God. You do it out of your heart or love for others that are in need. You do this because you see someone hurting and you have been given the opportunity to help.  5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Don’t do something thinking "what it is going to bring me?" Do it because God put you in the place at that time to see someone’s needs met.

Cain’s Anger Turned Into Murder

Genesis 4:3-8  3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. Cain just grabbed whatever he wanted, without thought. Do you do your best in righteousness or just go with whatever the world is doing or giving?  4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: Abel, put some thought in what he would give.  5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. Cain was thinking, “Well I gave something and it is better than nothing”.   6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? In other words, what is your problem? Why can’t you see what I have given you?  7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. God will accept us when we do right. It comes down to reward or punishment and we all get what is coming to us.  8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. With Cain’s anger over Able and what they have talked over came such jealousy that Cain didn’t care for his brother or God. He let evil take control instead of controlling evil. He murdered his brother. I think Cain told Abel not to give his best and to keep it for himself.  Abel refused and Cain wasn’t going to have it. 

*I want to show you something while we are here.

Genesis 4:14-17  14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me. I ask you if Adam, Eve and Cain are the only ones on earth, why is Cain saying this?  15 And the Lord said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him. Why is he given a mark when all God had to do was tell Adam and Eve not to slay him. Who are these that find him? Think about it!   16 And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.  17 And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch. Cain is outside of the garden and he finds a wife. “Knew” here is had sex and had a child. That son builds a “City” why? If there are only five people on earth. Adam, Eve, Cain and his wife and child.  What would there be a need for a city? Later Adam and Eve would bare another son named Seth. Through this one will come Christ Jesus. Part of The Key of David.

Words Stir Up Strife

Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Try as best you can to reply in a calm manner. Answer something with more anger causes deeper anger.

Tempers Creates Dissension

Proverbs 15:18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

We should always do things as God would have us do them. Our Father wants us to think things out before we react.

Don’t Hang Around Them

Proverbs 4:14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

Proverbs 22:24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

Someone that has no contented manner or in others words, shows they are unhappy in life, we should not fool with. I am not saying all, but if they want hate over love, we should let them go and have nothing to do with them. They will just bring trouble to you. 

2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

Control Yourself

Proverbs 25:28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

If you can’t control yourself, it’s like chaos in your mind with no barriers between what is good or bad. 

Proverbs 29:22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

Having that next faze of letting that anger turn into furiousness will bring an irrational mind set and you will over react to that situation in a way you would not have if you were thinking clearly.  

Proverbs 30:33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

With every action, there is a reaction. Be it positive or negative, there is a reaction. You can be smacked and stand there for another or you can smack back, walk away or ask why. What matters is how we react and in what manner it should be in. Matthew 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. (Don’t be a doormat though you only have two cheeks. You give him the other as for him to see the era in his actions.)

The Spirit Helps Us Grow

Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

It is ok to be angry. We all are at times. Just don’t let it go through to the next day. Don’t let it overtake you. Be at peace!

Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

Our Father gives us power over the fleshly way. These things will come on us but we should not let them become us.

What Jesus Says

Matthew 5:21-22  21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill ; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: The correct translation is murder. Strong's Number G5407 matches the Greek φονεύω (phoneuō), which means to commit murder, to slay premeditated. Ezra 8:31 has an example of what murder is by “lay in wait” to murder them.  22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Mark 10:13-16  13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Jesus showed anger again when the disciples tried to send away the mothers and their children. He was indignant and distressed at the way the disciples were treating his loving purposes and giving the impression that he did not have time for ordinary people. You keep people from the truth of God and it displeases God. Don’t keep the truth from those that seek it. If you don’t give the truth and the power of God, than you will not have the Kingdom of God.  15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. Empty the worldly way of thinking and see what God has for us. When the world is out of your mind, the truth is what enters in.  16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. 

Matthew 21:12-13  12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,   13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

He showed anger once more when he drove "out those who sold and those who bought in the temple". God's house of prayer was being made into a den of thieves and God was not being glorified -- hence Jesus' angry words and deeds. Commenting on this, a person, who cannot be angry, cannot be merciful. Sometimes the discipline must be shown to those that refuse as to bring them back to what is right. This is why it bugs me when I see a so-called “church yard sell”, I always wonder where the moneys are going and why can’t they have it at someone’s house?

Romans 12:10-21  10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Do your best to lift each other up, not put each other down. We are all kin so treat each other as such.  11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Don’t wait until tomorrow what you can do today. Have passion, a heart to serve God.  12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Be happy in all you do. Stay calm when troubles come. Prayer is talking to our Father and He loves to hear from us.   13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Give what you feel in your heart to give and know it is to better them in coming to truth and peace.  14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Seems sarcastic in their minds, but it really shows you have peace in yours.  15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Join together in the same mind. This lets them know you understand and they are not alone.  16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Don’t be above another, as that will bring hate.  17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. Give what is good even when evil is given to you. Don’t let anyone overtake your peace.  To let them see what is the correct way will bring them to their knees one day.  Don’t let them see you sweat anything.  18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. “If it be possible” in as much power as you have. If it isn’t possible and they just want to make war. If you go away and they keep coming at you to want war. Give them a war they will want to forget.  2 Samuel 22:35 He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.  Psalm 18:34 He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.  Psalm 144:1 Blessed be the LORD my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: God is with you in doing what is right, even against the enemy.  19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. “Give place” is giving things a chance to settle down. In time God will take care of it. If they keep on coming then verse 18 must be applied. “If it be possible” Our Father isn’t talking about self-defense here. He would not want you to stand there and be murdered.  20 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. By given of yourself to them that hate you, you let them see God and in doing so they may see the wrong in themselves and come out. Their minds will burn with wonder.  21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Don’t ever let them overtake you. Show them the way! Don’t try to pay back the one who caused the problem. God is the judge; He will repay. This is can be difficult. 

Let It Go 

When we don't forgive and we hold on to anger, we bear a grudge, then we are not only letting somebody else take control of our lives, we are squeezing out the work that God wants to do in our life. We can see how, when we let something else control you instead of God's Spirit, that it gets at odds at the kind of life that God wants for you. There is no room for anything else. Nothing else can fit in; especially the freedom and forgiveness that God wants to give us. Anger is a natural emotion. How we handle our anger may be sinful or proper. Next time you get angry, think about what we studied today and try to respond biblically.

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“Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame.” B. Franklin.

“Anger is never without a reason, but seldom with a good one.” B. Franklin.

Abraham Lincoln's secretary of war, Edwin Stanton, was angered by an army officer who accused him of favoritism. Stanton complained to Lincoln, who suggested that Stanton write the officer a sharp letter. Stanton did, and showed the strongly worded missive to the president. "What are you going to do with it?" Lincoln inquired. Surprised, Stanton replied, "Send it." Lincoln shook his head. "You don't want to send that letter," he said. "Put it in the stove. That's what I do when I have written a letter while I am angry. It's a good letter and you had a good time writing it and feel better. Now burn it, and write another." 

When Abraham Lincoln had to write a letter to someone who had irritated him, he would often write two letters. The first letter was deliberately insulting. Then, having gotten those feelings out of his system, he would tear it up and write a second letter, this one tactful and discreet. 

Anger is a divinely implanted emotion. Closely allied to our instinct for right, it is designed to be used for constructive spiritual purposes. The person who cannot feel anger at evil is a person who lacks enthusiasm for good. If you cannot hate wrong, it's very questionable whether you really love righteousness. 

HUMOR

A "Do it yourself" catalog firm received the following letter from one of its customers: "I built a birdhouse according to your stupid plans, and not only is it much too big, it keeps blowing out of the tree. Signed, Unhappy. 

The firm replied: "Dear Unhappy, We're sorry about the mix-up. We accidentally sent you a sailboat blueprint. But if you think you are unhappy, you should read the letter from the guy who came in last in the yacht club regatta."