Welcome back to our new series “BE PERFECT”. Last week we look at three God-like characteristics that we are to become: truth-telling, sacrificial service, and love for enemies. They’re humanly unattainable. This is why Jesus gave this not as a rule to the world – but to people ruled by his kingdom; people who have received His life; people indwelt by the Holy Spirit; people who have been born by God; people who are part of His body; people who have God’s DNA in them.
Today we are going to look at God-like anger. Our goal is not to learn how to get rid of anger, to make us angry-free people, or to make less-angry people, but how to get angry in a God-like manner. I want to present what the Word of God says about anger. I want to show you the example of Jesus as our model of how to have God-honoring anger.
Thoughts about anger:
1. Anger is sinful.
2. Extreme anger – the wrath – is sinful.
3. God never gets angry. His is a righteous indignation. Divine wrath is not the explosive type – it is His response to the wrongs and evil in the world.
4. I should never get angry again.
5. Forgive me for being angry. I am sorry I lost my temper.
6. I thought he or she is a Christian. Why is she angry?
7. I thought she is a Christian. Why is always angry? Why is her tone always angry?
What are those things that really makes you angry? What makes you mad? What makes your nostrils turn red, or open up wide? When is anger the right response? With most of us, if we have the right buttons pushed enough, we can have anger erupt within us like a volcano.
Some people would say that we should never get angry, that God doesn’t get angry and that Jesus didn’t get angry, but in this sermon, a different view is presented. One that says that Jesus did get angry and that it was a sinless anger – a God-honoring one, god-like. In this sermon we will unpack some of the descriptions of this God-honoring anger in our life.
1. God-honoring anger is unselfish. I learned a new term this week, altruism, those things you do for other people, those things you do without any self-interest involved. God-dishonoring anger, sinful anger, is routed in self-interest. We’re often times angry because we have been wronged or because we’re mad about something. Jesus’ anger, however, remains sinless because He’s not angry at something that has been done to Him personally. His response to those who hurt him was “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” He’s angry at the temple squatters who have mistreated His Father. (Mark 11). Anger at the exploitation of the pilgrims; these religious merchants were desecrating His Father’s temple; discrimination: the temple were so constructed that the Gentiles were kept from the others.
"Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!” Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.”" (John 2:16-17, NLT, see Psalm 69:9)
2. God-honoring anger does not nurse grudges. Any anger that is held over to the second day without being dealt puts us in a dangerous path – this could led into sinning in areas such as egotistical pride, malice, vengeance, rage, vilolence, and even murder (Matthew 5:21-22). It also allows for some demonic foothold. What is this foothold? The context favors a meaning that includes the disruption of the peace and unity of the Spirit in the body of Christ. A divided church is not honoring to God. It rams against the one body, one Spirit, one Father, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one Lord- reality where distinctions are no longer allowed to divide people. God has only body, and we are all part of the same body.
It being sinful – accumulated second-day anger. Rehearsed hate is a great demon that will come in and occupy our heart if we make room for it. Over time a grudge becomes poison bitterness and eventually rots our soul. It breaks down relationships. Old anger is not like fine wine, it does not improve with age. It’s like spoiled food, it only stinks the longer you carry it around.
Second day anger is expensive. Sabotage their works. 2.2 billion cost in US. A grudge becomes poison. It ruts our souls. Bitterness is a root Heb 12:15
"Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many." (Hebrews 12:15, NLT)
"looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;" (Hebrews 12:15, NKJV)
Desert monks had a lot to say about passions. These considered anger as the most destructive: Correct quickly, simply and let it go. Don’t get entangled, if you do, you might fall into sin.
3. God-honoring anger is directed. Anger without focus is not a rebuke, it’s a tantrum. Children do this most of the time. That anger vents feelings but in an immature way. Undirected anger is based from a greater problem.
Anger is a God-given gift for combating injustice and evil. But it can be a gift that turns into sin when we use it for other purpose.
How do you know when to get involved? Ask yourself. Collected experiences not dealt with accumulate in our emotional life until the pressure can no longer be contained and sometimes it spews out on the one closest to us at the time. If anger is not directed it’s a tantrum and that means something is going on inside.
“Name a subject that you’ve pontificated upon— abortion, pornography, hunger, homelessness, care for the needy in general, leadership, outreach, lack of morality, undisciplined children, you name it. Whatever it is, if you’ve got anger over the lack of activity or the great need that exists in one of those areas, then that may be a good indication that you’re the person that ought to get involved in that area to make a difference.” This could be your calling.
4. God-honoring anger is useable. The question to ask yourself whenever you get angry is this, “What is it that your anger accomplishes?” If it’s not accomplishing something, then it’s probably not useable, if it’s not useable it’s probably not directed, it’s probably a tantrum. That is to say, “What does your anger motivate you to get involved with?” is your anger producing something constructive.
I get angry at Christians who speak at so many things…complain, anger at something they see but not do anything about it. Does that not make you angry?
Useful anger
5. God-honoring anger is controlled. Jesus a few days after was back at the temple. Sinless anger does not gratify to nurse bitterness. His purpose was not his anger. He had a clear objective – to bring the kingdom of God by dying on the cross, rising again, and so that the gospel will be preached into the entire world.
Sometimes we commit to issues that are not worth fighting. We should be angry at the injustice we see in the world. We should be upset at the thousands of people going to hell everyday without Christ. We should be angry at the poor being neglected. We should be concerned at how so many so called Christians are not being discipled. We should be angry at cheatings in election. Corruption in government. And other issues that God is concerned about.
Let me share some practical thoughts on how to have God-honoring anger
1. Do speak up when there is an issue that is important to you. Don’t be silent. If you don’t you’ll be bitter. Anger outbursts are the result of grief that never comes to sobbing.
2. Don’t strike while the iron is hot. Usually this is the worst time to talk when you are angry. I need a little more time to sort thoughts out. If you find the volcano is about to erupt. Withdraw. Go back to it later.
3. Don’t use below the belt tactics. Blaming, labeling, analyzing, interrogating, interpretating, diagnosing, ridiculing. Anything that puts us to look higher or better or more righteous than someone, especially a fellow brother or sister in Christ should be avoided. Galatians 6:1-2 is very clear. Our business is to restore gently those who have fallen into sin. We are not to sit as judges or critics.
4. Do use the I language – I feel, I want, I fear, I think. An example of an untrue I statement, “I think you are terrible person to live with.”
5. Don’t make vague request. Tell the other person what you want specifically. I want you to be more sensitive to my needs. I’m not getting my needs met. Don’t expect people, even loved ones, to read your mind.
6. Try to avoid speaking as a third party, or for a third party. I think my daughter was upset when you did attend her birthday. Say you are an important part of our family. I expected you to be there. You did not show up. I am upset.
7. Don’t expect change to take place in a hit-and-run confrontation. Change takes place in close relationship. It also takes time. Getting derailed is part of the process. You will be tested. You might fail. Be patient with yourself. As you fail, and you start all over again, you will become more patient with others.
8. Take responsibility for our own part in maintaining the very patterns that evoke our anger. When two people gossip, they are having a relationship with a third party that is always dysfunctional. Nameless, faceless criticism increases anxiety - of a person. Don’t be a third person. If someone complains to you, the best thing to do is to listen. Don’t take sides. Stay calm. Stay out. Stay emotionally unconnected.
