Scripture Reading: Psalm 37:1-9
When Anger Rules
Intro.
1. This political season has put anger on display. It appears men like Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders are giving voice to the anger of many.
2. Some Christians are saying such expressions of anger by candidates and their supporters are good and needed.
a. They are being swept up by worldly assessments, Prov. 22:8.
b. What has become of these timeless truths in our thinking and character?
1) A soft answer turns away wrath..., Prov. 15:1.
2) He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty..., Prov. 16:32.
3) Let every man be...slow to wrath..., Jas. 1:19.
3. Our character/disposition must be different from world, Jas. 1:20.
I. THE SIN OF ANGER, Prov. 29:22.
A. A Disposition of Fury (orge), Col. 3:8.
1. Does not produce good fruit of righteousness, Jas. 1:20.
2. Thus, we must put away the sin of anger, Col. 3:8.
B. We must Repent of the Sin of Anger (like other sins), Eph. 4:26, 27.
1. Warned against letting anger settle into our character and defining us. We must refuse anger when it begins.
2. How? Meditate on the Lord and trust in Him, Psa. 4:4-5.
II. ANGER REVEALS A HEART PROBLEM. Prov. 23:7
A. Cannot Separate Character (Heart) and Conduct from Accurately Assessing what is Right, Col. 3:1-10 (8); Matt. 7:17-18; 12:34-37. (Conduct is the fruit of one's character.)
B. Companions of Anger Show its Threatening Nature, Eph. 4:31-32.
1. Anger increases bitterness, quarreling, malice, unkindness, lacks compassion, not forgiving, alienating God.
2. A work of the flesh, Gal. 5:20-21.
III. ANGER INCREASES TROUBLE.
A. Anger Advances Unrighteousness, Prov. 15:1. Giving a voice and platform to anger only increases the presence and power of sin.
1. Strife and contention, Prov. 15:18. Division increases, not unity.
2. This lack of self-control that prevents sober-mindedness, Titus 2:12 (6). (sound judgment, moderation, self-discipline)
3. Anger often expresses jealousy and selfish ambitions, Gal. 5:20.
4. It exalts self and is not humble before men or God, Mk. 9:33-37.
IV. RULERS MUST NOT BE CHARACTERIZED BY ANGER.
A. We must Rule Our Spirit instead of being Ruled by Anger, Prov. 16:32. cf. Rom. 6:12-14 (dominion).
B. Discretion is Needed in Rulers, yet, Anger Disables Good Judgment, Prov. 19:11.
1. Provocations arising from anger show foolishness, Prov. 20:2-3.
2. Anger is the product of fools, Eccl. 7:9; Prov. 14:17.
Conclusion
1. Psalm 46: Our help in times of turmoil and uncertainty is not found in the sins of men (like anger and arrogance). Peace is not achieved by exalting and extolling sin, as if it provides us comfort and relief.
2. The way of the transgressor will always be hard (permanent, perpetual), Prov. 13:15.
3. Sinful, petulant (bad-tempered) and angry leaders must not be exalted, for they will never define greatness the way God does, Eccl. 10:16-17.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: September 15, 2015