Letting Go Of Anger Series

Letting Go of Anger Consequences of Anger Ephesians 4:26-27 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Many people don’t realize the cost of holding on to bitterness. They may imagine that if their grudge is justified. They think they have a right to nurture it.

Harboring anger is an understandable reaction to life’s hurts & offenses. Yet resentment takes a horrible toll on our relationships, & even our health. It even has an effect in our fellowship with God.

No wonder the Bible instructs us to deal quickly with this potentially destructive emotion. James 1:19-20 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Anger is an extremely powerful emotion. It can destroy lives, tear relationships apart, & even ruin a believer’s witness. The apostle Paul understood the negative potential of resentment. Thus he offered this advice on how to deal with it: “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other,just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” Ephesians 4:31 -32 When we’re right in the middle of tense situations, Paul ’s recommendations may seem unrealistic & impractical. But unless we apply his advice. We could easily face the devastating consequences of uncontrolled rage. For example, our anger can shut down communication with others. It can also lead to a silent but very damaging type of resentment The “passive-aggressive” This person takes out his bitterness on others in subtle ways.

One of the most harmful consequences of uncontrolled anger is depression. Over time, inner turmoil & unresolved conflicts. They will take their toll on a person’s mental health. But we have a choice. We can let our anger control us. Which means we opt to suffer the consequences. Or we can release this debilitating emotion by forgiving those we feel have stirred our bitterness Try to identify causes of anger in your life. The best thing is to bring them before the Lord. Trust that He will empower you to overcome these sources of strife. Ephesians 4:31-32 once more. “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” Just let the truth of God’s Word strengthen you.

1.Anger Defined: A strong feeling of intense displeasure, hostility, or indignation. As a result of a real or imagined threat, insult, frustration, or injustice toward yourself or others important to you. A. There are three types of anger: 1) Rage This is usually an explosive expression of anger. 2) Resentment This is repressed or suppressed anger. 3) Indignation This is righteous anger over a wrong someone else has suffered or an unjust situation. Keep in mind Proverbs 16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. 2.A Threefold Warning In Ephesians 4:26-27 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. A.We are to “be angry, & sin not.” In other words, don’t give in to rage & resentment towards another person. B.“Do not let the sun go down on your anger.” God does not want us to go to sleep at night. Without dealing with the hostility we felt that day. C. “Do not give the devil an opportunity.” Tragically, you & I sometimes become upset unnecessarily. Because we misunderstood another person’s comment. Keep this in mind Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 3.The Consequences of Anger

A. To ourselves: Anger breaks our fellowship with God. We can’t be at peace with the Lord while we are angry with another individual Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. B.Your relationships with others: The truth be told people will suffer. For example, a marriage will not thrive. If one or both spouses become angry & refuse to address the problem. 1.You will develop a critical spirit. Bitter people often become judgmental. In an effort to justify their negative feelings.