1. Overcoming Wrath “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20)

2. Outbursts of wrath, Galatians 5:20 Foolishness on display, Proverbs 14:29 Two different words… Anger (orge): Indignation that rises gradually and becomes a settled trait Wrath (thumos): Rage, passion, angry heat… anger boiling up and soon subsiding again “Boiling agitation of the feelings, i.e., exasperation” (Lenski) 2

3. Outbursts of wrath, Galatians 5:20 Wrath (thumos): Rage Uncontrolled anger – Not merely a peculiarity of one’s personality – It is SIN We must put away wrath, Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:8 3

4. Meditate on God and His word, Psalms 4:4-5; 1:2-3 (119:97, 11) Develop longsuffering and patience Longsuffering, Galatians 5:22 Long-tempered (makrothumia) “Longsuffering is that quality of self restraint in the face of provocation which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish; it is the opposite of anger, and is associated with mercy.” (Vine, 377) Love “suffers long and is kind”, 1 Cor. 13:4 4

5. Develop longsuffering and patience Patience, Romans 5:3 (KJV) “Patience is the quality that does not surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial; it is the opposite of despondency and is associated with hope, 1Th 1:3; it is not used of God.” (Notes on Thessalonians, Hogg and Vine, 183, 184) Endures and does not yield to wrath, Psalm 37:7-8 Perseveres (steadfast) when tried, Romans 5:3-4 5

6. Rule over your spirit, Proverbs 16:32; 25:28 Master your heart, Mark 7:15, 23 Develop self-control, Galatians 5:23- 24 “restraint exercised over one’s own impulses, emotions, or desires (Merriam-Webster) 6

7. Rule over your spirit, Proverbs 16:32; 25:28 Meekness, Numbers 12:1-3 Tongue control when provoked, Numbers 20:8-10, 12; Psalm 106:32-33 Humility, Philippians 2:5-8 Focus on real issue, James 1:19-20; Proverbs 29:22 7

8. Rule over your spirit, Proverbs 16:32; 25:28 Eliminate selfish ambition (“I have to win!”), 2 Corinthians 12:20 Stop making excuses and blaming others, Acts 26:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:13 A soft answer, Proverbs 15:1, 18; Ephesians 4:31 Address anxieties, Philippians 4:6-8, 11 8

9. He who is slow to wrath has great under-standing, but he who is impulsive exalts folly. (Proverbs 14:29) A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; for if you rescue him, you will have to do it again. (Proverbs 19:19) Be at peace with God, yourself and others John 14:27; 16:33 9