THE DESTRUCTION OF ANGER
2 Samuel 13:1 – 18:18
INTRODUCTION
We all can think of a time in our lives, probably not too far back, when anger just seemed to consume us. That car that cut us off on the way to work, that woman that stole the parking spot we were waiting on for thirty minutes, the list could go on and on. Anger is not something we seek after in our lives; however, it’s something that frequently finds its way there.
The Bible talks about anger. In fact it tells us that it’s normal for us to experience anger. Jesus Christ himself experienced anger when He found the people selling goods in the temple. The thing that matters is not whether or not we experience anger; it’s how we deal with that anger. Ephesians 4:26 tells us to be angry and sin not.
A man by the name of Steve Tran of Westminster, CA closed the door after activating 25 bug bombs in his apartment. He figured that the more he used the longer it would work. The fumes spread to the pilot light in his stove causing a great explosion, which knocked his door down and burned all of his furniture resulting in $10,000 worth of damages. Tran then reported by the following Sunday he already saw the roaches walking around again. Steve allowed his anger for the roaches to consume him causing destruction, and the problem was still there.
The Bible shows us an example of how anger can cause destruction when handled improperly. Absalom experienced great anger that resulted in the destruction of his life.
THEME: WHEN WE EXPERIENCE THE WRONG KIND OF ANGER:
I. WE FOSTER THE DESIRE FOR REVENGE
Samuel 13:23-29
A. Absalom’s Desire For Revenge Caused Him To Hide The Truth
1. Absalom wanted to be the one to punish Amnon
NOTE: Absalom knew that by the laws of that day, the only punishment Amnon would experience would be to marry Tamar without ever being able to divorce her. This was not sufficient for Absalom.
a. Absalom told Tamar to hold her peace
b. Absalom kept Tamar desolate in his house
2. Absalom hated his brother Amnon, but spoke neither good nor bad to him
a. He didn’t want Amnon to know of his hatred
b. He wanted Amnon to still trust him
B. Absalom’s Desire For Revenge Caused Him To Commit Murder
NOTE: Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. I John 3:15
1. Absalom wanted no one to be suspicious
a. He waited two years for his revenge
b. He invited all of his brothers instead of just Amnon
2. Absalom has Amnon killed
NOTE: He did not kill Amnon himself, he got others involved in his sin
a. He waited until Amnon was drunk
b. He ordered his servants to kill Amnon
NOTE: In a San Francisco paper an ad displayed that read, “1984 Mercedes 240 LS, fully loaded. First $50 gets the car.” A man read this and called to see if it was a misprint. To his surprise it was not. He rushed over there and gave the woman the $50 and as she handed over the title to the car he asked why she was selling it for so cheap. Se replied, “My husband just called from Las Vegas where he is with his secretary. He lost all of his money and wanted me to sell the car and send half of what I got for it to him so he could come home!”
NOTE: Just as with this woman it is so easy for us to seek revenge ourselves, but that’s not what God wants from us. In Romans 12:19 the Bible says, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.”
T.S. WHEN WE EXPERIENCE THE WRONG KIND OF ANGER:
I. WE FOSTER THE DESIRE FOR REVENGE
II. WE UNDERGO A LOSS OF SECURITY IN OUR LIFE 2 Samuel 13:34-38
A. Absalom Had To Flee For His Life
1. He knew the consequences for murder
2. He fled town to save his life
B. Absalom Left The Security Of Home
1. He fled to Gesher
a. His mother’s family
b. Away from his father’s land
2. He sought refuge away from his father
a. Absalom feared David’s reaction
b. David meanwhile, was longing for Absalom
NOTE: Just as with Absalom, many times our actions take us away from our heavenly father’s security and instead of getting things right with Him, we flee from Him.
T.S. WHEN WE EXPERIENCE THE WRONG KIND OF ANGER:
I. WE FOSTER THE DESIRE FOR REVENGE
II. WE UNDERGO A LOSS OF SECURITY IN OUR LIFE
III. WE BEGIN CONSUMING SELFISH AMBITIONS 2 Samuel 15:1-18:14
NOTE: Selfish ambition is to be self-seeking and always looking out for one’s own interest above those of anyone else
A. The Bitter Fruit Of Absalom’s Ambition
1. Absalom hated his father
a. His father was the king
b. His father was going to have Solomon be his successor to the throne instead of him
2. Absalom was self-indulged
a. He was extremely handsome and he knew it.
b. He praised himself resulting in him being a spiritual nothing
NOTE: Absalom was so vain that when he had his hair cut he would have it weighed to show it off
B. Absalom’s Selfish Ambition Is Manifested
1. Absalom showed off his glory
a. He rode around in a decorated chariot
b. His chariot was lead by fifty men who praised him
NOTE: This was a ritual that was done only by kings
2. Absalom played the role of a politician
a. He stood at the gate taking sides in legal matters II Samuel 15:2-6
b. He acted as if he was on everyone’s side
C. The Ruthlessness Of Absalom’s Selfish Ambition
1. Absalom had no regard for the truth
a. He used trickery and deceit for personal gain
b. He was willing to destroy his own family for political gain
2. Absalom had no regard for his father
a. He spoke evil of his father
b. He used every trick available to promote himself and put his father down
3. Absalom had no regard for God’s will
a. He knew God had chosen Solomon to be the next king
b. He didn’t care for the eternal purposes, plan, and will of God
NOTE: Absalom was determined to go against God’s will and become king through his own ability
4. Absalom died as a result of his ambitions
a. He got so prideful that he raged war against his father
b. His father’s army defeated his army and killed him.
CONCLUSION
We see that anger handled in the wrong way can cause great destruction. Absalom’s anger resulted in a desire for revenge. Absalom’s anger resulted in a loss of security. Absalom’s anger resulted in a consummation of selfish ambitions.
If we’re not careful anger can have the same affect on our lives and ministry. When we experience anger we must allow God to seek the vengeance, we must maintain security in our lives, we must remain humbled as a servant of Christ.
