Reasons Why We Must Get Rid Of Anger According To The Bible
Every day we find ourselves in situations where we become emotional, it could be a situation at your workplace or your kids making a mess at home, or you losing it when a friend says something about you.
A tsunami of emotions rise up inside of you and one of them is anger.
Its absolutely normal to feel angry but its also important to known what God says about your anger and how you can deal with it.
The Bible tells us that holding on to anger can lead to sin, which is why we should let go of it and clear our minds for more positive feelings like joy and gratitude.
If youre short-tempered or youre upset about something the Bible will give you clarity about how to work with anger.
Here are 10 reasons why you should let God remove the anger and replace it with peace and joy.
1. Anger spoils relations with others
People with quick tempers cause a lot of quarreling and trouble. Proverbs 29:22
People who are angry tend to take out their emotions on other people and cause problems and fights so its best to stay away from those people and also avoid getting angry ourselves.
2. You make wrong decisions when angry
Dont give in to worry or anger it only leads to trouble. Psalm 37:8
When you make a decision while being angry, you might end up making the wrong decision. Never take an important decision in haste or in anger and calm down before doing anything.
3. It causes fights
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1
What Makes You Angry
We can learn a great deal about ourselves by considering the kinds of things that make us angry. Ask yourself the following questions, and try to be honest in your responses.
- Does your husband make you angry because he doesn’t pick up his dirty clothes when the hamper is just six steps away?
- Are you resentful toward your mother-in-law because she interferes or keeps competing for first place with your husband?
- Do you feel indignation when a fellow employee is treated unfairly?
- Do the men at work anger you with their comments, jokes, and put-downs about women?
- Do you get irritated with your boyfriend because he is not as attentive as you would like?
- Do you respond with anger when your children are difficult to handle or disobedient?
- Does it upset you when your husband doesn’t really listen to what you are trying to tell him?
- Are you resentful toward your boss because he is demanding and unsympathetic about your family pressures?
- Do you get angry when you seem to lose control over others?
- Are you enraged when your pride is bruised?
- Is your anger the result of ongoing grudges and bitterness?
- What is your emotional response to irritations? Do you blow up at the least provocation then forget the incident and leave the debris of injury in your wake?
- Do you suppress your anger and nurse a growing pile of offenses that keep you seething inside, while on the outside you pretend that you’re okay?
- Is your anger an impetus for producing change?
Anger In The New Testament
Having read in the Old Testament that in certain circumstances anger is appropriate, but that we should still be slow to anger in the same way that God is slow to anger, it may seem at surface reading that Jesus is contradicting that idea. When speaking about the Old Testament law against murder, he goes further to say that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment .
But as we believe that the Bible is a unified whole and does not contradict itself, it seems that Jesus is speaking here about unrestrained anger. This is made clearer by the fact that he elaborates with the examples of whoever insults his brother and whoever says You fool! being the people who will be subject to the judgment, both of the council and God.
Following Jesuss example, the apostle Paul lists anger among the various works of the flesh that need to be avoided by Gods people . Instead, we are to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you .
Fathers are not to provoke their children to anger, but to bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord . Not only should we not give in to our feelings of anger, but we should not be causing others, especially our children, to be provoked to anger.
Paul echoes the Psalmist as he calls on us to Be angry and do not sin, but he adds that we should not let the sun go down on our anger . We shouldnt let our anger linger long before we resolve it.
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Why Does God Get Angry
In the Bible God gets angry at human violence. He gets angry at powerful leaders who oppress other humans. And the thing that makes God more angry than anything else in the Bible is Israels constant covenant betrayal.
All of these examples have something in common: they are all expressions of Gods anger at humanitys idolatry. Humans dont take seriously the fact that we are made in the image of God. Rather, we elevate power, wealth, sex, and lots of other things to the status of a god. And then, in the name of our deified ideals and idols, we create communities and institutions that neglect, marginalize, and even destroy other people made in Gods image. And all this fallout and pain caused by human idolatry makes Gods angry, and rightfully so. There are some things that are worth getting angry about.
Think of it this way. While anger can be a destructive force, there are some situations where we view anger as necessary and right. When someone sees injustice happening, getting angry is a warranted response. In fact, most of us would say that a person who feels nothing when they see terrible injustice is not emotionally or mentally healthy. Anger can be a protective energy. This is how Gods anger is expressed in the Bible. God is not a volatile angry being who loses his cool now and then. Rather, Gods anger is a measured and reasonable response to injustice and evil. So, how does the God of the Bible express his anger?
What Does The Bible Say About Being Angry
Scripture conveys that there are two types of anger: righteous anger and human anger. Righteous anger is being angry about evil and things in opposition to God. In the Bible, there are verses in which God is described as being angry.
So, the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them from his presence .
God was angry with Israel because they had sinned against him, participated in idolatry, and chose their sinful desires over His ways. Sin, evil, injustice, and the like should make us angry. Human trafficking, domestic violence, child abuse, and murder are just a few of the evils in the world that should cause us to mourn and be angry, just as God is righteously angry over such devastating evil.
Righteous anger is legitimate and in line with what Scripture teaches. However, what most of us feel day in and day out is not righteous anger toward evil, but human anger toward our family, friends, strangers, and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. This type of anger usually lacks compassion, humility, and love. Human anger gives way to evil .
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires .
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Is Anger On The Increase
Anger is an emotion that has been present since the beginning of humanity. The Bible reveals that the first human ever born became so angry at God and his brother that he killed his brother . Anger has been with people from the start.
But there is evidence that the problem is getting even worse. A report of the Mental Health Foundation in the United Kingdom, titled Boiling Point , dealt with rising anger. The report included a description of some of the manifestations and causes of that rising level of anger:
Mounting evidence links anger with a range of physical, mental and social problems. Chronic and intense anger has been linked with Coronary Heart Disease, stroke, cancer and common physical illnesses including colds and flu, and generally poorer health as well as increased risk-taking, poor decision-making and substance misuse.
Higher levels of anger are related to lower levels of social support and higher stress levels. High levels of anger expression have also been associated with less frequent use of positive coping strategies such as actively addressing problems.
Anger has also been linked with mental health problems including depression and self-harm. People describe anger as more likely to have a negative effect on interpersonal relationships than any other emotion.
Anger Vs Anger Issues
Anger is a human emotion. Its like sadness and happiness. These emotions can be considered good or bad, depending on what is driving them, and how you respond to them. The same is true for anger. However, it should be noted that there is a difference between feeling angry and suffering from anger issues.
Anger issues are characterized by an uncontrollable response to the feeling of anger. If someone insults you unfairly, anger is a natural response. Politely addressing the person directly about what they said is an appropriate response to your feeling of anger. Picking up the nearest object and throwing it at them is an inappropriate response.
This distinction is particularly important. It is important because it will help you process whether you are dealing with anger issues. If you have a one-off experience where you got upset and said something you shouldnt have, this does not necessarily imply anger issues. However, if you consistently find yourself saying and doing things in the heat of anger that you know you shouldnt, then you may need to get help.
It is also helpful to note that God never exhibits symptoms of anger issues, but instead responding righteously to injustices in the world and to disobedience.
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Christians And Anger Issues
As previously discussed, anger issues are characterized by being uncontrollable. Gods anger is never out of control. It is intentional, balanced, and above all, holy. If you find yourself struggling with anger and are unable to control how you respond to it, then you may need professional help.
Here is a list of symptoms that may help you decide whether you need to meet with someone.
Physical Symptoms
- A tingling sensation in the body
- Muscle tension
Anger Can Be A Good Tool If Used Right
Not all anger is bad there is a righteous anger that has a place. Nehemiah experienced it as well as Jesus. There are times when a righteous anger moves us to action in a healthy way. The key to righteous anger is that we not allow it to move us into sin. Its when our anger causes us to sin that it becomes a bad thing.
Take it from someone who struggled with anger for many years–avoid it, walk away, and/or let it go!
Brittany Rust is a writer, speaker, and has the privilege of serving on staff at Red Rocks Church in Denver, CO. She and her husband Ryan make their home in the Rocky Mountains, pursuing outdoor adventures, great food, and memorable stories together. Her website brittanyrust.com aims to supply encouraging resources for the world-wearied believer.
Image courtesy: ©Thinkstock/SIphotography
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Anger Instances Of Moab
We have heard of the pride of Moab, an excessive pride Even of his arrogance, pride, and fury His idle boasts are
Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi.
Then Paul said to him, God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law order me to be struck?
Then the men of Ephraim said to him, What is this thing you have done to us, not calling us when you went to fight against Midian? And they contended with him vigorously.
On the ground in the streetsLie virgins and my young men Have fallen by the sword.You have slain them in the day of Your anger,You have slaughtered,
Biblical Definition Of Anger
Be angry and do no sin do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. – Ephesians 4:26-27 ESV
In the verse before, Paul says, having put away all falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another . Honesty amidst discord is difficult, even when we are righteously justified in our anger. But we must still strive to speak the truth in love. In contrast with our modern emphasis on the constructive uses of anger, Proverbs urges us to think carefully before expressing anger, to be patient, and show restraint, notes the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. And Proverbs 15:1 says, A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger .
When you get angry, there is a cost: Youre going to get in trouble. Youre going to sin. Youre going to cause arguments. Youre going to make mistakes, wrote Rick Warren for the Daily Hope Devotional, When you lose your temper, you always lose, whether its respect, the love of your family, your health, or even your job.”
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What Can You Do When You Feel Anger
In Ephesians 4:26, Paul says to Be angry and do not sin which is a very interesting way of phrasing it because it shows us that anger is neither sinful nor righteous in and of itself.
Its our interpretation of what were experiencing that turns anger into wrath or wrathful emotions.
Its also important to note that anger has a biological basis and is, in fact, a useful tool for ensuring our survival.
As modern neuroscience shows us, anger increases heart rate and blood pressure which prepares the body for action in dangerous situations so that we can fight or flee.
If youve heard of the flight or fight response then this is exactly what scientists are talking about only give ourselves time to catch up with our physiological makeup as human beings.
So the first thing we can do with our anger is to acknowledge that it may be a very natural and potentially useful response at least in terms of physical preparation.
The second thing we need to know about anger is that its a powerful force capable of triggering serious consequences if not dealt with properly.
For many of us, anger can become a habit if not handled correctly because its so easy to allow ourselves to explore the wilder side of it.
And once weve given into its seductive power, it can be difficult for us to regain control especially if other people are present and influencing our emotional state.
There Is More And More Going Why
There is another essential aspect to consider about what the Bible says about anger. There is an evil spirit that works in the world today, an enemy of God and human beings. His name is Satan the devil. He has been opposed to the will of God for a long time. He uses his influence to get people to oppose God and his work, and hes angry! He generates hatred in human beings. Hes angry at God, and he wants people to be too.
Paul wrote to those in Ephesus: And He gave life to you, when you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you once walked, following the current of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now operates in the children of disobedience among whom also all of us once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the will of the flesh and of the thoughts, and we were by nature children of wrath, the same as others .
The influence of the prince of the power of the air contributes to the thoughts and actions of a deluded humanity.
Its influence on the mind of the human being will be accentuated as the end of this age approaches, just before the return of Jesus Christ as King of Kings : Therefore rejoice, heavens, and you who dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! for the devil has come down to you with great wrath, knowing that he has a short time .
Soon, however, the devil will be removed, and mankind will no longer be under the influence of his wrath .
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What The Bible Says About Anger
According to the Bible, anger occurs when our desires rule us. These desires can include love, fear, hope, longing, respect, control, and more. When any desire, even well-intentioned ones, takes precedence over our desire to please God, things get out of hand. When our desires take over and arent met, we become angry. So basically, the root of our anger is our desires. In James 4:1 to 3, it reads, What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. James had the right idea. Here, he was pointing out that when our desires are not fulfilled the way we want them to be, we act out in anger.