II Corinthians 10:3-4 (ESV) 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

Storming the Gates: ANXIETY ANGER REGRET PAIN ADDICTION DEPRESSION How Christ Sets Us Free

ANGER Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free Genesis 4:6-7 (ESV) So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

ANGER Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free Colossians 2:7-8 (ESV) 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

ANGER Storming the Gates: God’s Anger Human Anger How Christ Sets Us Free ANGER God’s Anger Always arises in reaction to sin and injustice Strong and settled opposition to evil Restrained to give us time and opportunity to repent Human Anger Arises in reaction to perceived sin or injustice Sudden flaring up of passion in the face of frustration Not usually restrained

ANGER Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free Causes of Anger Goal Start Expected Course Start Goal 80% of anger directed at people

ANGER Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free Causes of Anger Frustration – level depends on importance of goal, size and nature of the obstacle, and duration Threat or pain – anger skyrockets to replace initial feeling of fear or hurt Conditioning – easy anger becomes a lifestyle habit Injustice – only valid cause, least common cause

ANGER Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free God’s Word to the Short-Tempered 1. Human anger often leads to sin. Ephesians 4:26-27 (ESV) 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.

ANGER Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free God’s Word to the Short-Tempered 1. Human anger often leads to sin. Proverbs 29:22 (ESV) 22 A man of wrath stirs up strife,     and one given to anger causes much transgression.

ANGER Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free God’s Word to the Short-Tempered 1. Human anger often leads to sin. 2. Human anger often results from misperception. Jonah 3:10, 4:1 (ESV) 10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry.

ANGER Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free God’s Word to the Short-Tempered 1. Human anger often leads to sin. 2. Human anger often results from misperception. I Samuel 18:6-8 (ESV) 6 As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments. 7 And the women sang to one another as they celebrated,

ANGER Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free God’s Word to the Short-Tempered 1. Human anger often leads to sin. 2. Human anger often results from misperception. I Samuel 18:6-8 (ESV) “Saul has struck down his thousands,     and David his ten thousands.” 8 And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him.

ANGER Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free God’s Word to the Short-Tempered 1. Human anger often leads to sin. 2. Human anger often results from misperception. 3. Human anger can be controlled. Proverbs 16:32 (ESV) 32 Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,     and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. Proverbs 19:11 (ESV) 11 Good sense makes one slow to anger,     and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

ANGER Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free God’s Word to the Short-Tempered 1. Human anger often leads to sin. 2. Human anger often results from misperception. 3. Human anger can be controlled. James 1:19-20 (ESV) 19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

ANGER Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free God’s Word to the Short-Tempered 1. Human anger often leads to sin. 2. Human anger often results from misperception. 3. Human anger can be controlled. Slow Down Realize that you are angry Consider cause … is anger justified? Choose gentleness Philippians 4:5 (ESV) 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all.

ANGER Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free What Can We Do? 1. Model gentleness and patience.

ANGER Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free What Can We Do? 1. Model gentleness and patience. Schindler: Power is when we have every justification to kill, and we don't. Goeth: You think that's power? Schindler: That's what the Emperors had. A man steals something, he's brought in before the Emperor, he throws himself down on the ground. He begs for his life, he knows he's going to die. And the Emperor ... pardons him. This worthless man, he lets him go. Goeth: I think you are drunk. Schindler: That's power, Amon. That is power.

ANGER Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free What Can We Do? 1. Model gentleness and patience. Ephesians 4:1-2, 32 (NIV) As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

ANGER Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free What Can We Do? 2. Help the person see more clearly. What is making you feel angry? Why are you feeling anger and not some other emotion? Are you jumping to any conclusions? How might the other person feel about the situation? What can you do to reduce your anger?

ANGER Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free What Can We Do? 3. Be peacemakers not flame-fanners. Romans 12:17-18 (ESV) 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

ANGER Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free What Can We Do? 3. Be peacemakers not flame-fanners. Proverbs 15:1 (ESV) A soft answer turns away wrath,     but a harsh word stirs up anger.

ANGER Storming the Gates: How Christ Sets Us Free What Can We Do? 1. Model gentleness and patience. 2. Help the person see more clearly. 3. Be peacemakers not flame-fanners.