Ecclesiastes 7:9, "Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools."

It is very apparent that anger is on the increase in our society.  The increase of murder, the attacks in our schools, and the prideful angry pettiness that takes place in homes and in our churches must be a stench in the nostrils of God.  Clarke states in his Commentary on the Bible, "A wise man, off his guard, may feel it [anger] for a moment: but in him, it cannot rest: it is a fire which he immediately casts out of his breast. But the fool - the man who is under the dominion of his own tempers, harbors and fosters it, till it takes the form of malice, and then excites him to seek full revenge on those whom he deems enemies."  This powerful statement speaks of how anger grows and ultimately manifests itself in the form of malice, bitterness, and vengeance. 

Are you harboring anger in your heart towards another?  Is it your spouse?  Is it your mother or father?  Is it a church member or a pastor?  Has your anger developed you into a more mature Christian, has it made you more humble or is pride and self-centeredness growing out of control?  Anger fosters pride, not humility.  Anger grows into bitterness not Christian maturity.  People get stuck who are angry and focus not on the goodness and forgiveness found in the Lord, but rather fixate on the offense of the one at whom they are angry.  You need to repent of a life of anger if you want to grow in the Lord and honor Him.  Otherwise, anger will control you, it will isolate you, and it will rob you of the ability to enjoy a walk with Jesus.

Some verses of warning:  Proverbs 14:17, "He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated."  Proverbs 22:24-25, "Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul."  Ephesians 4:31-32, "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

 May we walk in the spirit of forgiveness and kindness.  It properly reflects the heart of God.

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor, Mike Abbott

Meditations

1. How would you describe yourself as it relates to temperament? Are you harboring anger inside?

2. Can you list one positive thing that anger brings into your life? So, why do people keep living in anger?

3. What does pride have to do with anger?

4. How can you overcome the sin of pride?