FOCUS ON THE SCRIPTURES.ORG

Chapter XII

CONCLUSIONS

"The Action of Anger"

Anger is destroying marriages; relationships; careers; businesses; ruining people's health and resulting in a tremendous number of murders each year. When angry, you are more likely to take actions that you may later regret. When angry, you are more likely to have accidents and make mistakes. And, "The Action of Anger" is a significant factor in all kinds of addictions as well as domestic violence. It doesn't have to be. We can identify, defuse and dissolve our embedded anger triggers.

One does not have to be a rocket scientist to understand the following awful facts:

   1. When a person experiences anger and it hurts someone else, that anger is simply wrong.

   2. When a person experiences anger and it hurts one's own relations with others, that anger is simply wrong.

   3. When a person experiences anger, regardless of whether it is expressed or suppressed, or perceived to be with or without cause, that person is, himself or herself, harmed both physically and spiritually.

      A. Physically. It has now been scientifically established that every time one becomes angry or wrathful or malicious; harmful biochemical correlates of these emotions, toxins, are released into one's own system. This damages the human body, and short-circuits the human brain, thus impairing one's own physical and mental ability to choose an appropriate response to a confrontation, or in getting something done that is important. The action of anger on the part of human beings is a disturbing emotion of the human mind. We can obey the command to get rid of all anger that inflames the human mind and disturbs the human tranquility. Let's do it.

The anger of man is simply wrong, "it doeth not that which is right in the sight of God" (James 1:20). This is a very serious issue.

      And, the early Christian writer and scholar Tertullian (AD. 145-220) said: "we go not up unto God's altar before we compose whatever of discord or offence we have contracted with our brethren. For what sort of deed is it to approach the peace of God without peace? How will he appease his Father who is angry with his brother, when from the beginning 'all anger' is forbidden us? For even Joseph, when dismissing his brethren for the purpose of fetching their father, said, 'And be not angry in the way.' He warned us, to be sure, at that time (for elsewhere our Discipline is called 'the way'), that when set in 'the way' of prayer, we go not unto 'the Father' with anger."

1 John 2:3 (NASB) says: "And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments." And, 1 John 2:4 (NASB) says: "The one who says, 'I have come to know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." We must stop being angry!

In John 8:32 (NASB) Jesus said: "And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."

The action of anger of man is wicked! What are Christians commanded to do about it?

James 1:21, 22 (NASB): "Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves." We can stop becoming angry now.

Colossians 3:8-11 (NASB): "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 have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him, --a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all." Ephesians 4:30-32 (NASB): "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and slander, be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Christians are expected to obey these commandments.

Colossians 3:12-17 (NASB): "And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." Christians are not being commanded to do that which can not be done.

Ephesians 6:4 (NASB): "And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger [That is, by unreasonable commands; by needless severity; by the manifestation of anger]; but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." We must lay aside the old self with its evil practices. The "anger of man" is simply wrong to do: "it doeth not that which is right in the sight of God."

Ephesians 6:11-12 (NASB) says: "Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wicked-ness in the heavenly places." We must not give in to the schemes of the devil. We must overcome evil with good." Satan is a liar and Satan dwells in anger.

Danger: Anger!

Genesis 4:3-8 (NASB): "So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the Lord of the fruit of the ground. And Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and for his offering; but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry. . . . Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him."

      There you have it, anger and murder from the very beginning of time. So, back of the first ever murder in the records of eternity, was the anger of man, and as Galatians 5:19 (NASB) says: "Those who practice [do] such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." We had better believe it.

So, what are we to do? The ultimate outcome is in our very own hands, and it depends on whether we believe the "biblical" teaching regarding "The Action of Anger." If we will simply identify our very own embedded anger triggers and defuse them, the things that usually "set us off" will no longer impact us the way they do now. If we believe Ephesians 4:26-27, we will not let the sun set without getting to know the cause of each anger event and defusing it, and we will not provide the devil a dwelling place by being angry. If we believe Matthew 5:20-24, we believe that Jesus forbids "The Action of Anger." And having forgiven each other "as God in Christ also has forgiven us"; "when set in 'the way' of prayer, we are not to go unto 'the Father' with Anger." If we believe Colossians 3:8 and Ephesians 4:31, we will obey the absolutely clear "biblical" command to "get rid of all anger, bitterness, wrath, malice, slander and abusive speech." The reason for getting rid of all anger as commanded in Colossians 3:8 and Ephesians 4:31 is: "The Action of Anger" on the part of human beings is simply wrong, it is sinful.

Finally, make no mistake about it. We can change the way we think. We can change our emotions. We can get rid of all anger. It's easy to do. I did it, If you want to, you can do it too. All of our lives, and the lives of those around us, will improve if we will follow the absolutely clear "biblical" instructions to "to get rid of all anger, wrath, malice and abusive speech from our mouths." "The Action of Anger" of man is wicked! Let us resolve to stop becoming angry, now and forever. Let's do it.

James S. Davis