Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Proverbs on Anger, Part 2 Selected Scriptures Anger describes a wide range of feelings of strong displeasure ranging from vexation to burning wrath The moral quality of anger is determined by its cause and the actions resulting from it. Man must be very cautious even when the anger is righteous - James 1:19-20

Proverbs on Anger, Part 2 Selected Scriptures אַף /ʾap - metaphor for anger emphasizing its emotion compared to its expression זָעַף / zāʿap - metaphor depicting anger as a storm within the heart זָעַם / zāʿam - experiencing or expressing intense anger especially in denunciation

Proverbs on Anger, Part 2 Selected Scriptures רָגַז / rāgaz - shake, quake, tremble with anger, fear or anticipation עָבַר / ʿābar - to pass over by or through - used to describe anger that overflows קָצַף / qāsap - anger that causes a fractured or broken relationship

Proverbs on Anger, Part 2 Selected Scriptures כָעַס / kāʿas - to provoke to the heart to a heated condition חָרָה / hārâ - anger being kindled as would a fire חֳרִי / hŏrî - “fierce anger” of a displeasure so extreme that you feel it burn

Proverbs on Anger, Part 2 Selected Scriptures חֵמָה / hēmâ - the most serious anger in men describing it as “hot indignation, rage, fury or wrath חָרוֹן / hārôn - strongest word for anger in the OT - hot or burning wrath - used only of God עָשַן /ʿāšan - smoke rises from a fire - used to describe the consequences of anger

Proverbs on Anger, Part 2 Selected Scriptures Anger is multifaceted and that escalates from irritation and vexation to levels of ire, rage, fury and wrath The ability of a person to control themselves can mask or exaggerate their actual level of anger

Causes of Righteous Anger Anger is righteous when it reflects God’s perspective & continues to be so when is actions are godly Proper jealousy is a fierce protection of one’s rights and possessions & this generates God’s anger The God’s actions taken in anger are carried out in perfect justice in keeping with His other attributes

Causes of Righteous Anger Anything that angers God should be the cause of righteous anger in His followers The lack of righteous anger is a indication of the lack of righteousness

Causes of Righteous Anger God is indignant every day (Psalm 7:11) and Lot’s soul was vexed by the sin around him (2 Peter 2:6-7) Unless great care is taken, even righteous emotional anger can result in unrighteous actions

Causes of Unrighteous Anger Anger is unrighteous when it does not reflect God’s perspective or responds in ungodly actions The main cause of unrighteous anger is man’s bent to sin & selfishness - James 1:1-4 People get angry when their desire is unfulfilled - their goal is blocked

Causes of Unrighteous Anger Unrighteous anger is founded in desiring what is ungodly and has selfish motivations Everything listed as foolishness in Proverbs can be a cause of unrighteous anger Being a fool or having foolish friends - Proverbs 22:24-25

Causes of Unrighteous Anger Foolishness in the family tears apart the home - Proverbs 14:1 Foolishness in finances, government and use of the tongue generates unrighteous anger

Responding to Anger The starting point is a life time commitment to deal with the underlying causes of anger The internal battle between the flesh and the Spirit of God - Galatians 5:16-17 The external battle with the pressures of the world - 1 John 2:15-17; Romans 12:2

Practical Steps to Deal with Anger Slow down: Proverbs 14:29, 15:18 Remain calm - Proverbs 15:1; 19:11 Get the truth - Proverbs 18:13 - 10:19; 15:1; 17:27 Reflect - What are you actually thinking? What do you truly believe?

Practical Steps to Deal with Anger 5) Evaluate - Compare your thoughts, beliefs & intended actions with God’s word. A counselor can help 6) Repent - Be humble, change your mind and turn confessing anything contrary to God’s commands 7) Respond - Determine the righteous actions that should be taken that reflect Jesus living in you

Do what is right and leave the results in the hands of the Lord - Psalm 37:7-9

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ