“What To Do With Anger” James 1:19&20

“What To Do With Anger” James 1:19&20

 

Anger and hate is the number one problem facing our world and our nation. If you need convincing just look at the news from Charlottesville, Va. 3 dead and 35 injured in connection to a white nationalist rally. 1 dead and 19 injured when a car ran down people in the counter protest rally.

 

CNN

“The crash occurred approximately two hours after clashes in which hundreds of people screamed, chanted, threw punches, hurled water bottles and unleashed chemical sprays on each other ahead of the scheduled noon demonstration.”

 

Donald Trump

"We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence, on many sides. On many sides. It's been going on for a long time in our country. Not Donald Trump, not Barack Obama. This has been going on for a long, long time."

 

James 1:19&20 is so appropriate for our time and for today.

“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”

 

The trouble with anger is that once the fuse is lit our brains and hearts stop working. It is not that we should not be angry or have a right to be angry, it’s what we do in our anger that is the problem.

Chris Rock

“Some people say there is no good reason to hit a woman, there are plenty of good reasons to hit a woman, but you’re not supposed to do it, there are good reasons to push an old man down a flight of stairs, but you’re not supposed to do it.”

 

It is not that we have reasons to be angry, it is what we do with that anger. This is why it is one of the top issues in the Bible. The very first sin is motivated by Satan’s anger toward God. The second sin is motivated by Cain’s anger toward God. Jesus makes anger one of His top issues.

 

Matthew 5:21-26

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

 

Matthew 18:15

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.”

 

Paul also warns against the outcome of our anger.

 

Ephesians 4:26-31

26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

 

It is true that even Jesus got angry, He argued with the religious leaders of the people. Jesus chased the money changers from the temple. But we must remember that Jesus is God and we are not. Jesus had the ability to control these emotions, that most of us do not possess.

 

For most of us James statement is true. “human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires”. At least I know it’s true in my life. My biggest mistakes and actions I regret the most have taken place in anger.

 

How do we deal with our anger?

 

Listen:

Think before you speak:

Quickly: “don’t let the sun go down on it”

 

Go to them: “Matthew 18:15

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.”

Matthew 5:23-24

So, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 

 

Change your motive:

Forgive generously: Matthew 5:44

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.

 

Matthew 6:14

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 
but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

 

“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”