Anger destroys relationships. Yet, anger is often easily dismissed and excused.
Let me share with you some instructions from the Bible about anger.
These instructions will remind you about the danger of anger, and demonstrate the importance of controlling your temper.
We need to understand 2 truths about anger:
1. How to control anger
2. What motivates anger

1. Control of human anger.
When it comes to anger, one of the larger themes of discussion centers on the swiftness of response in the angry human being.
It is assumed that people will become angry in their daily experience; the clear admonition is against a quick response.
• Psalm 37:8 Cease from anger
• Proverbs 12:16 A fool's anger is known at once
• Proverbs 17:27 He who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
• Proverbs 19:11 A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook a transgression.

 
The Bible teaches that Christians can get angry or restrain their anger.
In the Wisdom literature the motive clauses, for why you should control your anger.
The motives to control anger either promise a blessing or threaten a consequence in a variety of ways:
o brings health (Prov 12:18),
o can end contention (15:18),
o is synonymous with greatness (16:32)
o and wisdom (29:11), etc.

On the other hand, the hot-headed individual
o is a fool (12:16; Eccl 7:9),
o stirs up strife (Prov 15:18),
o and is laid wide open to failure and destruction in his life (25:28).


There is a very important reason why you should control your anger:
• You do not always have all the data necessary to make a just and wise decision.

 
The Bible does not encourage the elimination of all anger: Ephesians 4:26 "BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN."
o Anger is an emotional arousal caused by something that displeases us.
o In itself, anger is not a sin, because even God can be angry (Deut. 9:8, 20; Ps. 2:12).
o It is difficult for us to practice a truly holy anger or righteous indignation because our emotions are tainted by sin, and we do not have the same knowledge that God has in all matters. God sees everything clearly and knows everything completely, and we do not. The New Testament principle seems to be that the believer should be angry at sin.

Anger that is sin:
o is self-defensive and self-serving
o is resentful of what is done against oneself.
o It is the anger that leads to murder and to God’s judgment (Matt. 5:21–22).
o Anger that is selfish, undisciplined, and vindictive is sinful and has no place even temporarily in the Christian life.

But anger that is unselfish and is based on love for God and concern for others not only is permissible but commanded. Genuine love cannot help being angered at that which injures the object of that love.
 
How to control anger:
1) verbalize one’s anger rather than act in the wrong manner (Gen 31:36; Job 3, 9, 10).
When one verbalizes their anger [explain how you feel]:
• Verbalize what you are angry about and do not belittle, berate, or attack personally those addressed (Gen 30:2; Lev 10:16–20).
Verbalization is not only to be made toward others but in certain cases toward God. When those causing anger in the believer are unapproachable, for whatever reason, the believer can bring his frustration to God and bring some measure of rationality to bear on his situation.
2) avoid certain situations that could cause anger or that would put the person in a position of reaping the results of someone else’s anger.
• Therefore, one is encouraged to avoid scoffers (Prov 29:8),
• realize the honorableness of avoiding strife (20:3),
• the inevitable results of gossip or slander (25:23),
• or the danger of meddling in another’s affairs (25:17).

There are also certain types of individuals, and certain circumstances accompanying them, that one is to avoid as a matter of principle.
o Never engage a fool in an argument (Prov 27:3; 29:9).
o Avoid angering those who are in possession of power in society (16:14; 19:12),
o Avoid getting a man jealous (6:34; 27:4),
o Avoid marrying a contentious (vexed) woman (21:19),
o Avoid associating with individuals known to be given to hot-tempered behavior.
 
Obeying these instructions does not mean you should be resigned or passive.
You need to obey these concerns with an active interest/love for those around – regardless of if they are your friend or enemy.

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Pastor Andrew Reynolds
Preached at Bethel Baptist Church in Portland, OR on August 1, 2020.

Expository preaching: instruct the mind, ignite the affections, invite the will.