03.12.2025 | Overcoming Anger and Rage
OVERCOMING ANGER AND RAGE
To walk in healthy community, we all need to learn how to walk through healthy conflict.
To walk through healthy conflict, we all need to learn how to walk in Holy Spirit controlled emotions: especially anger.
Uncontrolled anger is a threat to deep relationships, community, and family.
What does the Word of God say about overcoming anger and rage?
Ephesians 4:17-18 (NKJV) This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;
Ephesians 4:19 (NKJV), who being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Ephesians 4:20-22 (NKJV) But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to deceitful lusts
Ephesians 4:23-24 (NKJV) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind, that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:25 (NKJV) Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor” for we are members of one another.
Ephesians 4:26-27(NKJV) Be angry, and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.
Ephesians 4:26-27(NLT): And don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
Ephesians 4:31(NLT) Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
Ephesians 4:32 (NLT) Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Steps to overcoming anger and rage:
1. RECOGNIZE ANGER IS AN EMOTION
Ephesians 4:26 acknowledges anger is an emotion. Anger happens.
Ephesians 4:26a (NKJV) Be angry, and do not sin.
Ephesians 4:26 warns us not to let anger control us and lead us into sin.
Ephesians 4:26a (NLT) And don’t sin by letting anger control you.
We are not to be ruled by our emotions.
We are to be ruled by the Holy Spirit.
We are spirit, soul, and body.
In which of these three parts are our emotions?
Our soul is our mind, will, and emotions.
Galatians 5:16 (NKJV) I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill he lusts of the flesh.
Gary Smalley – Anger is a warning light flashing that something is wrong.
Dr. Bev and Tom Rogers – Anger is a Gift: it points is to four sources of anger:
a. Guilt
b. Inferiority
c. Fear
d. Trauma
2. REPENT OF ALLOWING ANGER AND RAGE TO CONTROL YOU
Ephesians 4:26a (NLT) – And don’t sin by letting anger control you.
a. Anger gives place to hurtful words:
Ephesians 4:29 (NLT) – Don’t use foul or abusive language. Ley everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
b. Anger gives place to resentment and bitterness
Ephesians 4:31a (NLT) – Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander.
c. Anger grieves the Holy Spirit
Ephesians 4:30 (NKJV) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption
d. Anger gives place to the enemy
Ephesians 4:27 (NLT) For anger gives a foothold to the devil.
Genesis 4:6-7 (NKJV) So, the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 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.”
3. RENOUNCE AND BREAK ANY OPPRESSION OF THE ENEMY
If our anger and rage have given the enemy a foothold, the enemy needs to be driven out.
Footholds can become strongholds in our lives.
Strongholds can be broken in the name of Jesus.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NKJV) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for the pulling down of strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
Derek Prince – Rejection leads to anger
Derek Prince – Unresolved Anger leads to hurt which leads to either hate, and murder or depression and suicide.
We renounce the spirit of rejection. We renounce the spirit of anger and rage in Jesus Name.
We renounce the spirits of hate, murder, death, depression and suicide in Jesus Name.
We break their power over our lives and command them to be gone in Jesus Name!
4. ASK THE HOLY SPIRIT TO HEAL, TO FILL, AND TO BRING SELF-CONTROL.
a. Ask Jesus to heal every place of hurt and rejection in our hearts.
Luke 4:18b (NKJV) He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted.
Psalm 147:3 (NKJV) He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
b. Choose to forgive those who have hurt you, rejected you, or disappointed you.
Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT): Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
c. Ask Jesus to fill every empty area with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 5:18 (NLT) – Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.
d. Pray daily for the fruit of the Spirit, especially self-control
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT): But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Proverbs 16:32 (NKJV) He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.