“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath,” (Eph.4:26)
NATURE OF GOD
God was provoked to anger many times in the Bible by the rebellious hearts of the people and their inclination to sin. Again and again people’s sin provoked God to anger.
ANGER CAN BE MANAGED
Experts say anger is a healthy normal emotional condition of the human body. These emotions are part of us because they are part of God, and we are made in God’s image. But emotions can be overwhelmingly powerful and beyond control sometimes in some people. Despite what the experts say, many lives have been destroyed because of explosive temper and aggressive anger!
I suppose it’s perfectly healthy and normal to feel angry when we are faced with certain situations especially when unfairness and mistreatment is involved. I guess it’s not how we feel during such times that create the problem but rather, it’s how we handle the temper that makes a difference. Anger is something we can’t avoid, but it’s something we can learn to manage and control.
Uncontrolled anger on the other hand can become a demonic stronghold. It’s an issue of the flesh initially. It’s an issue of misguided heart outside the divine order. It starts in the realm of manipulation and control outside of God. It’s a grasping for power! What happens is that when it becomes strongholds the enemy moves in and supernaturally takes control and the result is you will lose your mind.
Are you truly angry? Or is your anger masking other feelings such as embarrassment, fear, insecurity, hurt, shame, rejection or vulnerability?
Do you believe that your way is always right and get angry when others disagree?
Do you have a strong need to be in control or a fragile ego, that you often interpret other perspectives as a challenge to your authority, rather than simply a different way of looking at things?
You know what? We get angry when a current event brings up an old unresolved situation of the past that has long been buried in us.
A WISE MAN KEEPS HIMSELF UNDER CONTROL
Although you may not be in control of your circumstances outside of you, you are in control of the expression of your anger which is inside you. It is within your control to express your anger within a reasonable boundary, without being verbally or physically abusive. Even if someone is pushing your buttons, the fact of the matter is you have a choice as to how to respond.
Prov.25:28 – “If you cannot control your anger, you are as helpless as a city without walls, open to attack.”
WHEN ANGER CONTROLS…YOU OPEN A DOOR FOR SATAN TO RIDE ON YOU
NEVER LET YOUR PRIDE BE YOUR GUIDE:
1)Pride is the root of every sin. When your “I” becomes your pride, it results in self-centeredness which is counter-culture to God’s ways (Phil. 2:3).
Selfish ambition: It’s all about me.
Vain conceit: I am always right.
Deception will always find its way into pride. Grace abounds with humility but pride destroys your wellbeing.
2) Whenever there is jealousy or selfish ambition you will find confusion and every other evil taking control.
Anger becomes a problem when the spirit of anger is permitted to ride on you like a horse driven by somebody. But the question is: How do you manage your anger? You know what? Anger is not a sin; but not managing it is!
The Bible says,
“Anger resides in the lap of fools” (Ecc 7:9)
Proverbs 29:22 – A hot tempered man starts fights and gets into all kinds of trouble.” (LB)
A CONSTRUCTIVE WAY OF EXPRESSION
But you know what? We fail to understand something crucial sometimes. We fail to understand how to express our feelings and channel them in a more constructive way that would bring better results instead of yelling and being explosive at someone.
We need men who know how to get angry at the right time for the right reason in the right way. Sometimes people can be frustrating and the problems we face can be annoying and unreasonable. However, Godly leaders have the wisdom to remain calm under pressure and provocation not because they are timid but because they are wise.
A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless (Proverbs 14:16)
ANGRY PEOPLE MISS OUT ON GOD’S BLESSINGS
There are people who think that true power comes from being loud in volume, dominating, pressuring, manupulating and aggressively bullying others. People may be afraid of you superficially but they won’t respect you at the back. Have you ever noticed angry people can’t control themselves or handle opposing viewpoints or counselling? But Paul is warning us against putting a “hot-head” in a position of spiritual leadership.
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing (Proverbs 12:18).
Not only does anger harm you, it’s also satan’s strategies for getting you out of the will of God That’s why Paul said be angry but do not sin.
“But I have a reason to be angry,” you say!! So did Joseph! Yet he fed those who imprisoned him! And blessed those who betrayed him! In so doing he prospered and was set free from his anger! Your prosperity! Your blessing! Your miracle, your favor and well-being rest within your power to walk in God’s will; that’s His standard that you need to maintain if you want to see results.
SHUT UP!!
It’s one thing to be angry; it’s another to sound off at the wrong time. Remember,
“A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it till afterwards.” (Prov. 29:11)
Proverbs says, even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. Sometimes we need to “shut up” and keep quiet when things are out of control.
I am not advocating “suppression of anger,” the goal is to express it in a more constructive manner that will avoid damage and burn bridges. We can avoid a lot of damage and misunderstanding by filtering every spirit of anger by God’s standards and His word.
UNCONTROLLABLE EMOTIONS CAN CRIPPLE YOU
Medical science has proven through intensive research beyond reasonable doubt, chronic anger makes you more susceptible to heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, a weakened immune system, insomnia, and high blood pressure including psychotic and mental health problems etc.
DO A POSTMORTEM
By the way when was the last time you lost your cool? What provoked you to anger? Why were you so angry? And what did you do about it? How did you express your anger? These are serious questions that you need to address and not just sweep it away! If you cannot control your anger it’s obvious that you have a real underlying problem!
The apostle James says everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires (James 1:19). Often we see communication break down and relationships are torn apart with hurts and pain in view of anger and rage and we regret and most of the time the damage is beyond repair. Never let the enemy set your agenda.
Love is patient, love is kind… It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered…” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5).
Note: Rev Dr Jai Kumar is an ordained & licensed minister of Covenant Ministries International N.J. USA. He is a mission minded pastor who carries an apostolic anointing who preaches and teaches an uncompromising gospel with boldness. A member of ECCM (Malaysia) Spiritual Adviser & overseer to various ministries and churches. An itinerant speaker. He is also the author of a book entitled, ‘God’s Time Clock.’ Currently he worships at C3 Subang.
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Rev Dr Jai Kumar
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