Anger

[Phillip Martinez]

I would like your opinion, verses, comments etc.. on anger.

[Jeff Finlay]

Personally, I don't have an issue with anger. There are example of righteous anger. It is ok to get angry about the right things. Example, Jesus turned over the money changers tables because they violated the Temple. But, in another place he also said if you get slapped on the cheek, turn and let them hit the other also. Now, that is real control of anger. I'm not sure I could handle that one. I guess the whole point is Why are you getting angry? My wife once told me pick your fights somethings are not worth fighting over and somethings have eternal consequences. If you are going to get angry make sure it is for the right reason.

[Jeremy Hatch]

Anger... ahhhhhh... our bedfellow he. Wrongs us when we are right and holds us captive when we are wrong. Yet, I do my utmost to justify his existence in my life... and boy does that ever make me angry.

Of course I have said this with tongue in cheek, yet, I can't help and wonder why how we do justify our anger to ourselves and others. Is it a character trait, or just an emotional state that we believe to have control of?

[George Krickl]

I see anger as an emotion that generates a choice. You can make a choice between using that anger for constructive or abusive ways. Ephesians 4:26 tells us, "Be angry, and do not sin."

Constructive anger needs to be directed by the Holy Spirit and the energy generated by anger can be used to generate extra energy for ministry and focus on changing things positively to just praying for change itself. If you become angry there is a problem that needs to be solved. Do you need to change or somebody else? Can you effect that change directly or through prayer?

Abusive anger is what we commonly consider anger because it is explosive and unhealthy and leads to sin on our part as we want revenge and limits our ability to love and be a good Christian witness. This issue needs to be dealt with through prayer and developing a plan with or without the help of a counselor.

Some of my favorite verses for meditation are: Psalm 19:14 and 37:18...Proverbs 14:16; 15:1, 18; 16:32; 19:19; 22:24; 29:11...Ecclesiastes 7:9...Mark 3:5...Ephesians 4:26-32...Colossians 3:8, 21

[Phillip Martinez]

Thanks for your input brother Finlay,
great wisdom.  I am doing Biblical
Counseling research paper and I am asking
and looking for peoples thoughts.   

Thanks again

Jeff Finlay said:

Personally, I don't have an issue with anger. There are example of righteous anger. It is ok to get angry about the right things. Example, Jesus turned over the money changers tables because they violated the Temple. But, in another place he also said if you get slapped on the cheek, turn and let them hit the other also. Now, that is real control of anger. I'm not sure I could handle that one. I guess the whole point is Why are you getting angry? My wife once told me pick your fights somethings are not worth fighting over and somethings have eternal consequences. If you are going to get angry make sure it is for the right reason.

[Phillip Martinez]

Thanks Brother Hatch, good question a "a character trait" or "emotiona state". Hmm...


Have a blessed weekend

Jeremy Hatch said:

Anger... ahhhhhh... our bedfellow he. Wrongs us when we are right and holds us captive when we are wrong. Yet, I do my utmost to justify his existence in my life... and boy does that ever make me angry. Of course I have said this with tongue in cheek, yet, I can't help and wonder why how we do justify our anger to ourselves and others. Is it a character trait, or just an emotional state that we believe to have control of?

[Phillip Martinez]

Great definition / description of anger!  (source?). Thank you for the scripture references.  Have a great weekend!

George Krickl said:

I see anger as an emotion that generates a choice. You can make a choice between using that anger for constructive or abusive ways. Ephesians 4:26 tells us, "Be angry, and do not sin." Constructive anger needs to be directed by the Holy Spirit and the energy generated by anger can be used to generate extra energy for ministry and focus on changing things positively to just praying for change itself. If you become angry there is a problem that needs to be solved. Do you need to change or somebody else? Can you effect that change directly or through prayer?

Abusive anger is what we commonly consider anger because it is explosive and unhealthy and leads to sin on our part as we want revenge and limits our ability to love and be a good Christian witness. This issue needs to be dealt with through prayer and developing a plan with or without the help of a counselor.

Some of my favorite verses for meditation are: Psalm 19:14 and 37:18...Proverbs 14:16; 15:1, 18; 16:32; 19:19; 22:24; 29:11...Ecclesiastes 7:9...Mark 3:5...Ephesians 4:26-32...Colossians 3:8, 21

[Jack Hager]

Anger...most susceptible when I'm tired...which, as one whose goal is to be the oldest youth worker in America (and well on my way)...is a usual fact of life...
Anger is rooted in pride...I don't deserve this (exactly what do I deserve? Hell...)...they should know better...this doesn't fit in with my plans.
How to conquer unrighteous anger? Preach gospel to self, remember cross, remember I have NO rights since I am no longer my own...
And consistently ask the Lord to set a watch over my tongue...the words of anger are spawned in the heart...above all, guard the heart...

[Phillip Martinez]

Great Stuff! I especially like the connection to price and about the feeling of not deserving it. Thanks!



Jack Hager said:

Anger...most susceptible when I'm tired...which, as one whose goal is to be the oldest youth worker in America (and well on my way)...is a usual fact of life...
Anger is rooted in pride...I don't deserve this (exactly what do I deserve? Hell...)...they should know better...this doesn't fit in with my plans.
How to conquer unrighteous anger? Preach gospel to self, remember cross, remember I have NO rights since I am no longer my own...
And consistently ask the Lord to set a watch over my tongue...the words of anger are spawned in the heart...above all, guard the heart...

[Jeremy Hatch]

I agree with you Jack, fatigue or being tired does make us susceptible to anger. Which helps us to understand that maybe anger is most likely a willing participant from/to our emotions. Which then might make people think our character trait is that of "no self-control", which is as we know is proof that there is a lack of fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5). As we saw in George K's comment and scriptural references, anger is something that we can and should control. "Be angry and do not sin" Eph 2, tells us that sin is similar that we do have control over it, or at least we should. (Gen3 and 4)

Again as we heard from George K, anger is a choice. How we administer that choice to those around us, or those whom we have/can/may influence is and should be under our control. Of course, we can do all things through Him ... which again, spells out another choice, "will" we let Him?

I'm wondering if there is a pattern to this madness.... (wry grin)



Anger...most susceptible when I'm tired...which, as one whose goal is to be the oldest youth worker in America (and well on my way)...is a usual fact of life...
Anger is rooted in pride...I don't deserve this (exactly what do I deserve? Hell...)...they should know better...this doesn't fit in with my plans.
How to conquer unrighteous anger? Preach gospel to self, remember cross, remember I have NO rights since I am no longer my own...
And consistently ask the Lord to set a watch over my tongue...the words of anger are spawned in the heart...above all, guard the heart...

[shary hauber]

Good advice about preaching to self Jack. Glad to catch you here. Check out Receiving God's healing for pass wounds.


Jack Hager said:

Anger...most susceptible when I'm tired...which, as one whose goal is to be the oldest youth worker in America (and well on my way)...is a usual fact of life...
Anger is rooted in pride...I don't deserve this (exactly what do I deserve? Hell...)...they should know better...this doesn't fit in with my plans.
How to conquer unrighteous anger? Preach gospel to self, remember cross, remember I have NO rights since I am no longer my own...
And consistently ask the Lord to set a watch over my tongue...the words of anger are spawned in the heart...above all, guard the heart...

[Jenni Biegler]

Anger usually arises in response to a thought. What are you/we thinking before we become angry? Often someone has stood in the way of a goal that we had. It's interesting to know that the Scripture doesn't tell us that not to be angry but it tells us what to do with it and what to "put on" instead (Colossians).

A Few Scriptures on Anger...These are from the NASB just because that was the Bible closest to me at the moment :)
Eph. 4:26 "Be angry and do not sin, do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity. v. 29 "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."

Colossians 3:8 "But now you also, put them all aside, anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth."

Prov. 29:22 "An angry man stirs up strife, And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression."

[Terje Leigre]

Thanks to everyone for sharing great advices. Most helpful for a poor soul struggling with anger!
T.Leigre.Norway.