Dealing with Anger as a Christian
Col 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
It's tough out there, sometimes I think to myself that only the leading of the Holy Spirit can keep one holy in this world that is rapidly growing more evil. In fact I prayed so today. The temptation for sin can grow greater under the oppression and dealing with the wicked. It is not easy for everyone. Realize that even a Christian will slip up, sin, repent and try and make yourself right with God. The believer will be aggrieved over their sin, and will feel sorrow until they come into righteousness with God.
I know I am not perfect but sometimes things get to me watching this wicked world, the coldness, the oppression, the people who simply do not care about anything. I have a soft place to land with good friends and others in my life who show me care, but it can get distressing out there. Anger can be an emotion to lead one into sin, so one has to be very careful. I think it is a challenge for many. Even a Christian with mild road-rage, as they raise their fist to shake it at another bad driver, may think to themselves, "What am I doing?" Anger can be a bad witness especially if you are ready to stomp your foot in public at a family member moving like molasses.
Not all anger is a sin, there is righteous anger. Anger is a natural emotion towards injustice or evil. God gave us this emotion to warn us and to help us take action when needed especially in an emergency situation. Jesus Christ, Himself has been angry but only in a holy and just manner.
Mar 3:5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched [it] out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
God in the Old Testament displays anger as well relating to His Holy Justice.
Num 32:13 And the LORD'S anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the LORD, was consumed.
Jer 7:19 Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: [do they] not [provoke] themselves to the confusion of their own faces?
Don't forget what Job faced. Total destruction of his home, lands, death of his children. Even his wife, wanted him to give in, throw in the towel and start ranting and raving against God to disappear into an abyss of anger and bitterness.
I like this verse too when it comes to anger. It basically means go be still, take things to God.
Psalms 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.
It's tough out there, sometimes I think to myself that only the leading of the Holy Spirit can keep one holy in this world that is rapidly growing more evil. In fact I prayed so today. The temptation for sin can grow greater under the oppression and dealing with the wicked. It is not easy for everyone. Realize that even a Christian will slip up, sin, repent and try and make yourself right with God. The believer will be aggrieved over their sin, and will feel sorrow until they come into righteousness with God.
I know I am not perfect but sometimes things get to me watching this wicked world, the coldness, the oppression, the people who simply do not care about anything. I have a soft place to land with good friends and others in my life who show me care, but it can get distressing out there. Anger can be an emotion to lead one into sin, so one has to be very careful. I think it is a challenge for many. Even a Christian with mild road-rage, as they raise their fist to shake it at another bad driver, may think to themselves, "What am I doing?" Anger can be a bad witness especially if you are ready to stomp your foot in public at a family member moving like molasses.
Not all anger is a sin, there is righteous anger. Anger is a natural emotion towards injustice or evil. God gave us this emotion to warn us and to help us take action when needed especially in an emergency situation. Jesus Christ, Himself has been angry but only in a holy and just manner.
Mar 3:5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched [it] out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
God in the Old Testament displays anger as well relating to His Holy Justice.
Num 32:13 And the LORD'S anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the LORD, was consumed.
Jer 7:19 Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: [do they] not [provoke] themselves to the confusion of their own faces?
Don't forget what Job faced. Total destruction of his home, lands, death of his children. Even his wife, wanted him to give in, throw in the towel and start ranting and raving against God to disappear into an abyss of anger and bitterness.
I like this verse too when it comes to anger. It basically means go be still, take things to God.
Psalms 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.
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