Seven Deadly Sins: Wrath 7.7 - June 25, 2010

7 Deadly Sins
7.7 – Wrath

Proverbs 22:24 (New International Version)
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered,

Proverbs 29:11 (NIV)
A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.
 
Ephesians 4:26-27 (NIV)
"In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

What is it?

Why is it such a big deal?

How do we fight anger?

1.    Remember who is in control.Psalm 56 (New International Version)
Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me; all day long they press their attack. My slanderers pursue me all day long; many are attacking me in their pride. When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? All day long they twist my words; they are always plotting to harm me. They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, eager to take my life. On no account let them escape; in your anger, O God, bring down the nations. Record my lament; list my tears on your scroll —
 are they not in your record? Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise-in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? I am under vows to you, O God; 
I will present my thank offerings to you. For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

Romans 12:17-19 (NIV)
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.

2.    Remember that you are not a victim of how you feel.
Jeremiah 17:9 (NIV)
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

1 Timothy 3:1-7 (NIV)
Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.

3.    Remember that People are precious to God!
Exodus 20:13 (NIV)
You shall not murder.

James 1:19-21 (NIV)
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Some Questions to Ask:
1.    Am I avoiding deeper issues with my anger?
2.    Do I use my anger to control others?
3.    Do I trust God to deal with those who hurt others or me?
4.    When I become angry, who do I talk to?
5.    Knowing that anger will be a battle we face the rest of our lives, what provision are you making to help deal with anger well?