When Anger Knocks

When Anger Knocks

June 8, 2025 Morning Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: You can be angry, but don’t let it turn into sin.

Focus Passage: Ephesians 4:26-27

Supplemental Passage: Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools. (Ecclesiastes 7:9 NASB)

Introduction: An author for Reader's Digest writes how he studied the Amish people in preparation for an article on them. In his observation at the school yard, he noted that the children never screamed or yelled. This amazed him. He spoke to the schoolmaster. He remarked how he had not once heard an Amish child yell, and asked why the schoolmaster thought that was so. The schoolmaster replied, "Well, have you ever heard an Amish adult yell?" Reader's Digest.

I. Anger is a Warning Light, Not a Steering Wheel

a. “Be angry, and yet do not sin” (v. 26a)

b. Anger itself isn’t a sin—it can alert us to injustice, hurt, or danger. But if we let it drive our actions, it becomes destructive.

c. “...be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” James 1:19b-20

d. “A fool always loses his temper, but a wise person holds it back.” Proverbs 29:11

II. Resolve It Before It Rots

a. “Do not let the sun go down on your anger” (v. 26b)

b. Time doesn’t heal unresolved anger—it hardens it. Paul calls for swift resolution to prevent spiritual infection.

c. "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.” Matthew 5:22

d. “Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” Heb 12:15b NLT

III. Don’t Leave the Door Open for the Devil

a. “Do not give the devil an opportunity” (v. 27)

b. Lingering anger creates a spiritual breach—a foothold for Satan to sow division, resentment, and destruction.

c. Forgiveness is how we keep Satan from taking advantage of us.

i. But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ, so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes. 2 Corinthians 2:9-10

d. “Your adversary, the devil, prowls around... seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

e. Unresolved anger invites the enemy in. Shut the door through confession, forgiveness, and self-control.

Application/Call to Obedience: Anger will come—but it doesn’t have to control you. Address it quickly, handle it biblically, and guard your heart so the enemy can’t get in. Don’t let anger knock down what Christ has built in you.

The Bible says "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." (Romans 10:9-10 NASB)