Anger Series

“Confessions of a Pastor, Part 1”

January 7, 2007

Confession- To admit or acknowledge

“Confession is not saying, “I’m sorry”; it is openly admitting, “I did it.” Neil Anderson, The Bondage Breaker

“Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed.” James 5:16 (The Message)

Anger- The emotional response to perceived wrong or injustice.

“The root of anger is that something has been taken; something is owed you.” Andy Stanley, It Came From Within

Anger affects us physically. (headache, high blood pressure)

Anger affects us emotionally. (Relationships, job performance)

Anger affects us spiritually.

Anger gives Satan an opening into your life.

“And don’t sin by letting anger gain control over you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil.” Ephesians 4:26-27 (NLT)

“Foothold” is literally translated place. (Demonic activity)

Anger creates a self-righteous attitude in us.

“Whoever brags should brag about what the Lord has done.” 18 It isn’t the person who makes his own recommendation who receives approval, but the person whom the Lord recommends.” 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 (God’s Word)

Anger causes us to be judgmental.

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ’Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5 (NIV)

How to deal with anger:

Honestly

“The monster of the heart (anger) cannot withstand the light of exposure. For you to tell your story is to drag it into the light.” Andy Stanley, It Came From Within

Resolve conflict quickly

"If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you’ve made a friend. 16 If he won’t listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again. 17 If he still won’t listen, tell the church. If he won’t listen to the church, you’ll have to start over from scratch, confront him with the need for repentance, and offer again God’s forgiving love.”

Matthew 18:15-17 (The Message)

Forgive freely

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13 (NIV)