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Chapter I
A DESTRUCTIVE EMOTION and the BIOCHEMICAL CORRELATES
Anger as experienced by human beings (with or without cause), expressed or suppressed, is a destructive, toxic and negative emotion. It is bad, wrong, evil, and sinful. The truth is that being angry is giving in to the devil. We must not allow the devil to dwell in anger in our earthly body and thereby influence our thinking, our actions and our speech. It is written, "Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7 NASB).
"The Lord dwells in long-suffering but the devil in anger. . . . How wicked is the action of anger, and in what way it overthrows the servants of God by its action, and turns them from righteousness. But it does not turn away those who are full of faith, nor does it act on them, for the power of the Lord is with them. It is the thoughtless and the doubting that it turns away. For as soon as it sees such men standing steadfast, it throws itself into their hearts, and for nothing at all the man or woman becomes embittered on account of occurrences in their daily life, as for instance on account of their food, or some superfluous word that has been uttered, or on account of some friend, or some gift or debt, or some such senseless affair. For all these things are foolish and empty and unprofitable to the servants of God. . . . But anger is foolish, and fickle, and senseless." See footnote. 1
The action of anger is our subject, and we do not have to choose either to express or suppress anger. There is another option. Human anger, expressed or suppressed, is damaging to our health, physical and spiritual, and it is damaging to our relationships. Let us choose the other option: "The Christian Solution." The Bible contains very specific instructions regarding how to deal with human anger.
We can choose to follow the very specific instructions of Colossians 3:5-9 (NASB) that says: "Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is on account of these things that the wrath of God will come, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices." And, we can choose to follow the specific instructions of Ephesians 4:31 (NASB) that says: "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice."
DANGER: ANGER!
All human anger, expressed or suppressed, short-circuits the human brain and impairs one's mental and physical ability to choose an appropriate response to a confrontation, or in getting something done that is important. "The Lord dwells in long-suffering, but the devil dwells in Anger." 2
The action of anger on the part of human beings inflames the human mind, and it disturbs the human tranquility. The action of anger is a disturbing emotion of the human mind. We can prevent it. We can obey the absolutely clear biblical instruction of Colossians 3:8 (NASB), a command, to "put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth." Let's do it.
It has been rightly said: "The anger of God does not inflame His mind or disturb His tranquillity. And, it has been rightly said that the anger of God is not a temper tantrum." In John 4:24 (NASB) Jesus said: "God is spirit." So, God is not a human being. And, even though we necessarily use human words and phrases to attempt to describe the anger of God, we do not suggest that the anger of God is a human passion or a human emotion.
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NASB) says: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are my ways higher than your ways, And my thoughts than your thoughts." The truth is that God is the righteous Judge. And, 2 Timothy 4:8 (NASB) refers to Him as "the Lord, the righteous Judge." "The anger of God is not a disturbing emotion of His mind, but a judgment by which punishment is inflicted upon sin." 3
The anger of God is the consequence of sin that He has built into the moral framework of the world. It is a matter of cause and effect. Touch a hot stove, and the consequence is pain. Commit sin, and painful consequences follow. Romans 1:18 (NASB) says: "For the wrath [orgh, transliterated orge; anger] of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness." Romans 12:18-19 (NASB) says: "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath [anger - orge>] of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. So, it is true that God himself is often angry at sin. But this fact in no way supports the "theory of righteous human anger" and/or the false doctrine that human anger is not sin. (See Chapter IV).
The anger of man is a destructive human emotion, and it is not in any way the same as the anger of God. In fact, James 1:20, says: "The anger of man doeth not that which is right in the sight of God" (Alford's Greek Testament, page 285). 4
The awful fruits of the action of human anger, being angry, are seen everywhere. The action of human anger, being angry, is a major destroyer of relationships. It is a major cause of broken marriages. We see it in our schools. Children, influenced by anger, are killing and injuring schoolmates. We see it in our churches. We see it in our work places. We see it in the halls of Congress and in our state legislatures. It is at the very center of wars. We see it almost daily in the international arena. In addition to all of this, it adversely affects the physical health of all.
All human anger is destructive, toxic and negative, whether expressed or suppressed. And, it has now been scientifically established that every time one becomes angry or wrathful, harmful biochemical correlates of these emotions are released into one's own system.
"Anger places every cell in your body on red alert. Your stomach churns out acid. Your skin hairs stand upright. Your adrenal glands pour out adrenaline and steroids. Your pupils dilate. Your blood pressure shoots up. Your pulse races. You are ready to run or gun." 5 So, our physical bodies respond to the way we think.
Our thoughts and our emotions not only affect our behavior but our health also. An article in Science Daily (Feb. 25, 2009) says: "An Angry Heart Can Lead To Sudden Death — Before flying off the handle the next time someone cuts you off in traffic, consider the latest research that links changes brought on by anger or other strong emotions to future arrhythmias and sudden cardiac arrests, which are blamed for 400,000 deaths annually."
In loving and forgiving others, as mentioned in "Focus On The Scriptures: The Marks Of A Christian," Christians are obeying the commandments of Jesus Christ. In so doing, Christians, themselves, receive fully God's divine gift of forgiveness which brings inner healing, and according to recent medical studies, substantial improvements in physical health and well-being.
This was clearly shown in a number of scientific studies as reported in a CNN special that aired on Sunday, May, 16, 1999.
Prior to the results of these studies that were reported by CNN, HEALING AND THE MIND by Bill Moyers was published by Doubleday in hard cover in 1993. 6 Inspired by Norman Cousin's published books (Anatomy Of An Illness and The Healing Heart: Antidotes To Panic And Helplessness) Moyers published his interviews with fifteen different experts involved in ongoing research in the complex field of the health effects of the relation between mind and body.
Moyers interviewed Candace Pert, Ph.D., formerly Chief of the section on Brain Biochemistry of the Clinical Neuroscience Branch at the National Institute of Mental Health. She discovered the opiate receptors and many other peptide receptors in the brain and in the body, which led to an understanding of the chemicals that travel between the mind and the body. She refers to this as: "Information is flowing."
"These molecules are being released from one place, they're diffusing all over the body, and they're tickling the receptors that are on the surface of every cell in your body." She developed ways to measure these receptors, which she described as similar to satellite dishes, "millions of them all over one cell. The cells are being told whether they should divide or not to divide, whether they should make more of this protein or that protein, whether they should turn on this gene or that gene. Everything in your body is being run by these messenger molecules, many of which are peptides. . . . Peptides, receptors, cells. The receptors are dynamic. They're wiggling, vibrating energy molecules that are not only changing their shape from millisecond to millisecond, but actually changing what they are coupled to. One moment they are coupled up to one protein in the membrane, and the next moment they can couple up to another. It's a very dynamic, fluid system."
Responding to Moyer's statement: "And every time they couple, every time they connect, every time they respond one to another, chemical messages are being exchanged and my body responds differently accor ding to what cell is getting what chemical," she said: "Absolutely, You got it." So, we now know, as a result of recent research, that there are "biochemical correlates of emotions."
Regarding the dangers of toxic emotions and the heart, Dr. Caroline Leaf, author of Who Switched Off My Brain, 7 on pages 70-72 said:
"Here is a list of some of the dangers of toxic emotions and the heart:
* Hypertension (high blood pressure).
* Angina--chest pain and spasms of the heart tissue--heart ache.
* Coronary artery disease--hardening of the arteries causing narrowing. This can be triggered by anger.
* Strokes or cerebrovascular insufficiency--the clogging of blood vessels so brain tissue becomes starved.
* Aneurysm--ballooning or swelling of the artery or rupturing of blood vessels. This can also be triggered by anger."
"Your heart is not just a pump, it also acts like a mini brain. Science demonstrates that your heart has its own independent nervous system, a complex system with at least 40,000 neurons, as many as found in various subcortical centers of the brain. In effect, your "heart's brain" acts like a checking station or conscience for all the emotions generated by the flow of chemicals from thoughts."
"Science is discovering that your heart's brain is a real "intelligence force" behind the intuitive thoughts and feelings you experience. The "heart's brain" produces an important biochemical substance called ANF or atrial peptide, the balance hormone that regulates many of your brain's functions and motivates behavior."
"Your heart is in constant communication with your brain and the rest of your body in three scientifically documented ways: neurologically (through transmission of nerve impulses), biochemically (through hormones and neurotransmitters), and biophysically (through pressure waves). A growing body of scientific evidence also suggests that your heart communicates with the brain and body in a fourth way: energetically through electromagnetic field interactions."
"Through all these biological communication systems, the heart has a significant influence on the function of your brain and all your other bodily systems. The signals the heart sends to your brain influence not just perception and emotional processing, but higher cognitive functioning as well. New scientific evidence on the heart's neurological sensitivity points to feedback loops between the brain and the heart that check the accuracy and integrity of our thought life."
"The body of scientific research on the topic of heart intelligence is becoming so compelling, it is clearly time we develop new and personal attitudes about "following" our hearts."
"Once again, this is a case of science catching up with the wisdom of Scripture. A common theme in the pages of the Bible is the heart as a flowing spring of intelligence. And that the Lord knows the hearts of all men."
In the Greek texts of the New Testament, the Greek word kardia occurs 160 times. It is transliterated kardia, and translated in each case as heart. Kardia is defined by Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon as: "1. that organ in the animal body which is the centre of the circulation of the blood, and hence was regarded as the seat of physical life. 2. Kardia denotes the centre of all physical and spiritual life, as it is ihe fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavors." The Greek word kardiognosteV (kardia, gnosthV) occurs 2 times in the New Testament and is translated as know the heart or knows the heart. It is transliterated: kardiognostes, and is defined by Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon as: "knower of hearts: Acts 1:24; 15:8." 8
Acts 1:24 (NASB) says: "And they prayed and said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two You have chosen." And Acts 15:8-9 (NASB) says: "And God, who knows the heart testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; and He made no distinction between us and them cleansing their hearts by faith."
The "biblical theme of the heart as a flowing spring of intelligence" is very clearly expressed in hundreds of Old and New Testament passages. Here are just a few examples from Genesis to Revelation:
Genesis 6:5 (NASB): "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."
1 Chronicles 28:9 (NASB): "As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts."
Psalms 44:21 (NASB): "Would not God find this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart."
Proverbs 3:5 (NASB): "Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding."
Matthew 5:8 (NASB): "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 6:20-21 (NASB): "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Matthew 9:4 (NASB): "And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, "Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?"
Luke 5:21-22 (NASB): "And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this man that speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?" But Jesus, aware of their reasonings, answered and said to them, "Why are you reasoning in your hearts?"
Matthew 12:34-35 (NASB): "You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil."
Hebrews 4:12 (NASB): "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
Revelation 2:23 (NASB): "And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds."
Regarding "DNA AND THE EVIDENCE FOR INTELLIGENT DESIGN," Dr. Stephen C. Meyer, author of Signature In The Cell, 9 on page 85 said: "In Darwin's time few, if any, biologists talked about biological or genetic information, but today they routinely refer to DNA, RNA, and proteins as carriers of information. Biologists tell us that DNA stores and transmits "genetic information," that it expresses a "genetic message," that it stores "assembly instructions," a "genetic blueprint," or "digital code." Biology has entered its own information age, and scientists seeking to explain the origin of life have taken note. Life does not consist of just matter and energy, but also information. Since matter and energy were around long before life, this third aspect of living systems has now taken center stage. At some point in the history of the universe, biological information came into existence. But how?"
Our subject is "The Action of Anger." The Greek verb orgizomai -- transliterated orgizomai concerns that faculty of feeling, of reacting to mental impressions, that is translated as being angry. Studies have clearly shown that anger, expressed or suppressed, only serves to reinforce anger. So, what is the solution? There is a solution and it is found in God's Word. The "Biblical Solution" is very specific and it says to "get rid of all anger."
Webster's Universities Dictionary Unabridged defines anger as follows: 1. A violent passion of the mind excited by a real or supposed injury; often accompanied by a desire to take vengeance, or to obtain satisfaction from the offending party; resentment; wrath; ire."
There is an appropriate, proper, and rational response, and, an approach to troubling events, or in getting something done that is important, and it is not anger. For instance, a response or an approach that is based on "Ratiocination" (which means to reason methodically and logically) is very clearly a more profitable and appropriate response to troubling events, or in getting something done that is important, than is a reaction of anger, wrath or malice.
Will Rogers said: "People who fly into a rage always make a bad landing." Getting angry can sometimes be like leaping into a wonderfully responsive sports car, gunning the motor, taking off at high speed and then discovering the brakes are out of order. 10.
Steven Friedman, Ph.D., of the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, NY., according to a webcast transcript entitled "The Harmful Effects of Anger," said: "THERE IS NOTHING GOOD ABOUT ANGER. Feeling angry, once the person is angry, holding it in is not good. Research shows that. And expressing it is even worse. One of the long term consequences, we know, in the research and what leads to cardiac disease is, quote, the type A personality. . . . I think it is worth reiterating, . . . There is nothing good about anger in any way. In terms of feeling it or expressing it. Feeling it leads to negative consequences, both physically in terms of health, and it leads to negative consequences about how people around you will avoid You." 11
DANGER: ANGER!
Question: How wicked is the Action of Anger? Answer: The devil dwells in anger. And, we must resist the devil. We should not let the devil dictate our words or actions.
The Bible clearly teaches that Christians are to get rid of all anger, malice and slander. If we are angry we are not being kind to one another, tenderhearted, and forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven us. If we are angry, we are not at peace and we are not experiencing the "joy" that should be ours as children of God.
Human anger is a sin, a destructive, negative and toxic emotion. And, in addition to the all important eternal values, there are medically proven and scientifically demonstrated health benefits to be realized, physiologically speaking, when one puts into practice in sincere Christian obedience, the unmistakable and specific Biblical command to get rid of all anger. It is written, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice" (Ephesians 4:31 NIV). And, it is written, "But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these, anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips" (Colossians 3:8 NIV). 12 Let's do it.
A DESTRUCTIVE EMOTION and the BIOCHEMICAL CORRELATES
Chapter I
A DESTRUCTIVE EMOTION and the BIOCHEMICAL CORRELATES
Questions for Discussion
1. Do you believe that the Lord dwells in long-suffering but the devil in anger?
2. How wicked is the action of anger? Explain
3. Do you see how that anger, experienced by human beings, expressed or suppressed, is a negative, toxic and destructive emotion? Explain.
4. Why would anyone want to allow the devil to dwell in anger in their earthly bodies, thereby influencing their thinking, their actions and their speech? Explain.
5. Can you describe what is meant by the instruction to "consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and greed?"
6. Since Christians have laid aside the "old self" with its evil practices, do you accept the idea that it is therefore important for Christians to get rid of all "anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from their mouth?" If not, why not?
7. Do you believe that human anger, expressed or suppressed, is damaging to one's health, physical and spiritual, and damaging to one's relations with others?
8. Should anger be suppressed, expressed or is their another option? Describe the Christian Solution?
9. What are some modern day justifications for anger? Can you make a list?
10. How is it that anger attacks one physically and emotionally to hurt, even to kill?
11. Since the anger of God is not a human passion or a human emotion, how would you describe the difference between the anger of humans and the anger of God?
12. Why is anger such a destructive emotion? Where and how is anger often manifested?
13. Where do we often see anger displayed in today's world?
14. Can you describe how our bodies respond to the way we think?
15. From our study in this chapter, give a concise definition of the "action of anger."
16. How would you describe the difference between anger and resentment; wrath; malice; indignation; fury; rage and ire?
17. Do you accept the idea that "there is nothing good about anger in any way?" Discuss what happens physiologically when anger is suppressed or expressed?
18. Do you believe the Bible means what it says in Ephesians 4:31 (NIV): "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice?" 13
A DESTRUCTIVE EMOTION and the
BIOCHEMICAL CORRELATES!
CHAPTER I - FOOTNOTES:
1 THE ANTE-NICENE FATHERS (Grand Rapids, Michigan: WM. B. EERDMANS PUBLISHING COMPANY, reprinted February, 1975), Vol 2, page 23. In ancient times it was widely held that the Hermas mentioned by the Apostle Paul in Romans 16:14 was the author of these words found in one of the most popular Christian books during the second, third and fourth centuries. Origen states this opinion distinctly, and it is repeated by Eusebius and Jerome. Early writers believed the book to be inspired.
2 The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume II, Commandment V. CHAP. I and CHAP. II (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, reprinted February, 1975), Page 23.
3 St. Augustine's City of God and Christian Doctrine by Philip Schaff, page 304.
4 Alford's Greek Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Guardian Press, 1976), Volume IV, page 285.
5 None of These Diseases by S. I. McMillen, M. D., & David E. Stern, M. D. (Grand Rapids, MI: Fleming H. Revell Company, February 2000), page 205.
6 HEALING AND THE MIND by Bill Moyers (New York: DOUBLEDAY, 1993, reprinted 1995), pages 178 - 186.
7 Who Switched Off My Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf (PO Box 4227, Rivonia 2128, South Africa: Switch On Your Brain, 2007).
8 GREEK-ENGLISH LEXICON of the NEW TESTAMENT by Joseph Henry Thayer, D.D. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: ZONDERVAN PUBLISHING HOUSE, First Zondervan printing 1962, Fifth printing 1966), page 325 & 326.
9 Signature In The Cell by Dr. Stepen C. Meyer (New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers, 2009).
10 New York Times Magazine by Maggie Scarg
11 "The Harmful Effects of Anger" - Webcast transcript: broadcast on WNYC New York (National Public Radio) was recorded live August 12, 1999. Steven Friedman, Ph.D., State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn. 12 The Interlinear NASB-NIV Parallel New Testament in Greek and English by Alfred Marshall (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1993), pages 565 & 584. 13 The Interlinear NASB-NIV Parallel New Testament in Greek and English by Alfred Marshall (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1993), page 565.
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