12.01.2021 | OVERCOMING ANGER IN OUR HEARTS
OVERCOMING ANGER IN OUR HEARTS
What are some of the most common negative emotions we struggle with as people?
Jesus is speaking on heart-righteousness and His first example deals with anger.
Matthew 5:20 – “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”
We are declared righteous through faith in Jesus Christ, and we live righteous by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 5:21 – “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder,’ and whoever murders will be in danger of judgment.”
Matthew 5:22 – “But I say to you, that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.”
You shall not murder.
The Ten Commandments:
1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2. You shall not make for yourself a carved image.
3. You shall not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.
5. Honor your father and mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness.
10. You shall not covet.
Murder is the intentional taking of someone’s life.
Matthew 5:22a – “But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.”
“Relationships can be destroyed by physical murder, but relationships can also be destroyed by ongoing anger and public humiliation.” – Charles Talbert
“Murder starts with anger. One must deal with anger to avoid murder.” – Arrington
“Rejection – Anger – Depression – Suicide” – Derek Prince
“Rejection – Anger – Hatred – Murder” – Derek Prince
Unresolved anger comes out in hurtful words and actions.
Matthew 5:22b – “Whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’...”
Raca – blockhead, stupid, empty one
Fool – contempt for another person’s character
Danger of hell fire – Gehenna, Valley of Hinnom, sacrifice to Molech, garbage burned
How do we overcome anger?
1. Ask the Holy Spirit to examine our hearts.
Matthew 15:19 – “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.”
Matthew 12:34b – “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
2. Honestly answer the question, “Why are you angry?”
Genesis 4:6 – “So the Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?’”
“Anger is a warning sign: something is wrong!” – Gary Smalley
Genesis 4:7 – “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”
Ephesians 4:26a – “Be angry and do not sin.”
“Anger is a GIFT – Guilt, Inferiority, Fear, Trauma” – Tom and Bev Rogers
3. Express your heart completely to the Lord
Perhaps write it out, or pray it out, or speak it out with another trusted believer.
Ask the Holy Spirit to bring healing to any deeper issues.
4. Choose to forgive.
Ephesians 4:32 – “Forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
5. Seek Reconciliation
Matthew 5:23 – “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar; and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar; and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother; and then come and offer your gift.”