Be Angry & Do Not Sin

“Be Angry & Do Not Sin” Handling Anger in a Godly Way

“Be Angry & Do Not Sin” What is Anger? Merriam-Webster ew Collegiate Dictionary “A strong passion or emotion of displeasure, and usually antagonism, excited by a sense of injury or insult.” Anger – Stimulated by an event

•Late in picking you up

•Disappointment

•Doesn’t Clean up

•Hurt

•Mower Doesn’t Work

•Rejection

•Made fun of you in public

•Embarrassment

“Be Angry & Do Not Sin” Anger: Rooted in the Nature of God God is Holy Leviticus 11:44, 45 I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves about on the ground. 45 I am the LORD who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy. 1 Peter 1:15, 16 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

God is Love Exodus 34:6 "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,

1 John 4:8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

“Be Angry & Do Not Sin” Anger: Rooted in the Nature of God God is Holy

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God is Love

God is OT Anger… But, God does get Angry… The word Anger is found 455 times in the Old Testament; 375 of these times it is used of God’s Anger. Psalm 7:11 God is a righteous judge, a God who expresses his wrath every day.

“Be Angry & Do Not Sin” Anger: In the Imago Dei Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Anger is the emotion that arises whenever we encounter what we perceive to be wrong.

“Be Angry & Do Not Sin” What is Anger? Emotional

Physiological

Mental

•Disappointment

•Epinephrine (Adrenaline)

•Thoughts against individuals

•Hurt •Rejection •Embarrassment

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•Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline) •Heart Rate •Blood Pressure

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•Thoughts of Revenge •“Stewing” over the issue •Imprecatory Prayers

Psalm 139:19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!

“Be Angry & Do Not Sin” What is Anger? Emotional Physiological

Mental

Hard to Control

Must Control

“Although we have little control over our emotional and physiological responses to a troubling event, we can (and must) learn to control out thoughts” Gary Chapman – The Other Side of Love

“Be Angry & Do Not Sin” The Battle of the Mind 2 Corinthians 10:5 And we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers, farewell. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. Romans 8:6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

“Be Angry & Do Not Sin” The Purpose of Anger God’s Response to Anger Jeremiah 3:12 Go, proclaim this message toward the north: " `Return, faithless Israel,' declares the LORD, `I will frown on you no longer, for I am merciful,' declares the LORD, `I will not be angry forever. Jonah 3:8, 9 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. 9 Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish."

“Be Angry & Do Not Sin” The Purpose of Anger Jesus’ Response to Anger John 2:16, 17 To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!" His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me." Mark 3:4, 5 Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.

“Be Angry & Do Not Sin” The Purpose of Anger Our Response to Anger “Human anger is designed of God to motivate us to take constructive action” -Chapman •Society of Friends (Quakers) – Antislavery movement in 1671 •William Wilberforce – Bill against slave trade 1807 •Emancipation Proclamation – All slaves declared free 1863 •Civil Rights Movement – Martin Luther King Jr. 1960

Isaiah 58:6, 7 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

“Be Angry & Do Not Sin” What to do with Anger 5 Steps in Dealing with Your Anger (Adapted from “The Other Side of Love”)

1. Consciously acknowledge to yourself that you are angry 2. Restrain your immediate response. 3. Locate the focus of your anger. 4. Analyze your options 5. Take constructive action.

“Be Angry & Do Not Sin” What to do with Anger 1. Consciously acknowledge to yourself that you are angry

Anger is not Sin… …but we must not Sin when we’re Angry!

Ephesians 4:26, 27 "In your anger do not sin" : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.

“Be Angry & Do Not Sin” What to do with Anger 2. Restrain your immediate response.

“Count to 10”

Proverbs 29:11 Or 100, or 1000, A fool gives full vent to his anger, but or 10000! a wise man keeps himself under control. Proverbs 16:32 Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city. “Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.”

“Be Angry & Do Not Sin” What to do with Anger 3. Locate the focus of your anger. 1st – What’s the Issue? Who? What? How?

2nd – How serious is the Issue?

“Be Angry & Do Not Sin” What to do with Anger 4. Analyze your options •Put them down

1. Is it positive & loving?

•Talk down to them •Talk bad about them •Beat them with a bat!

2. Does it really deal with the wrong committed? 3. Is it helping the relationship? 4. Is it the best for the person that I’m angry with?

“Be Angry & Do Not Sin” What to do with Anger 5. Take constructive action. Romans12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.