Anger Management

James 1:19-27

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be
swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness
of God.
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity
of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the
engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only,
deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a
doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural
face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and
straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty,
and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful
hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be
blessed in his deed.
26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and
bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart,
this man's religion is vain.
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the
Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows
in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted
from the world.

As believers it is essential that we bring our anger under divine management. Being 'swift to hear' yet 'slow to speak' will help us to be 'slow to wrath.' When people are 'swift to wrath' they are being self focused instead of Jesus focused.

Luke 9:52-56

52 And sent messengers before his face: and they
went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans,
to make ready for him.
53 And they did not receive him, because his face
was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
54 And when his disciples James and John saw this,
they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to
come down from heaven, and consume them, even as
Elias did?
55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye
know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's
lives, but to save them. And they went to another
village.

In this passage from Luke, James and John were 'swift to wrath' and wanted fire to come down to consume the whole village that would not receive Jesus. But Jesus rebuked them and said He is not come to destroy, but to save lives. James and John were also 'swift to judge' the villagers, but Jesus did not pass judgment on them. Judgment of others can also lead to 'swift wrath.'

Anger is serious when it is not under God's control. Can you overcome your anger and show your enemies kindness and love? Maybe if we respond not in anger we can make friends of who were once our foes. Don't let the enemy (the devil) push your buttons. Anger is an understandable human emotion, but we can control how we respond. If we respond in anger and wrath we let the enemy get the best of us.

Proverbs 4:23-27

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of
it are the issues of life.
24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse
lips put far from thee.
25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine
eyelids look straight before thee.
26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways
be established.
27Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove
thy foot from evil.

Psalm 141:3

3 Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the
door of my lips.

You don't always need to say what you feel. You don't always have to have a comeback when someone says something to you. Don't run your mouth. Think before you speak.

Proverbs 17:28

28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is
counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is
esteemed a man of understanding.

Make sure you are 'swift to hear' and be 'slow to speak' and you will be 'slow to wrath.' Also, let go of any overflow of pent up anger. Pent up anger will effect those around you. Repent of your anger, let go and adjust your attitude. Let go of your anger and give it to Jesus. Humble yourself and bring your emotions in check with the word of God. These are the ways to put your anger under divine management.

Hebrews 12:14-15

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without
which no man shall see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace
of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up
trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

1 Peter 2:23

23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when
he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself
to him that judgeth righteously:

Proverbs 3:5-8

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean
not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall
direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and
depart from evil.
8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy
bones.

Psalm 37:7-9

7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him:
fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in
his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked
devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not
thyself in any wise to do evil.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that
wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.

Reference: Pastor Al Pittman, Calvary Worship Center, Colorado Springs, CO, Sermon 11/19/2017

The Grim Reaper Preacher says, "Try reading the Bible from cover to cover - you'll like it."