Anger is a Set-Up! 2

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20

How many times have you been told that anger is a bad thing? How many sermons have you heard on the dangers of anger? Even though anger is a natural emotion, and, like all emotions, it has its place. The problem arises when anger is not dealt with constructively. The Bible tells us that anger is a set-up tool for the devil to use. Therefore, “Do not be quickly provoked in your anger, for anger resides in the lap of fools” (Ecclesiastes 7:9). The devil loves to get us angry because it opens the door for him to work his destruction.

As we continue our discussion on this topic, we see that anger is not the problem because it is part of emotion. The problem is when we allow anger to control us. Therefore, we need to learn how to deal with our anger healthily. When we know how to manage our anger healthily, we can avoid many of the negative consequences that can come from it. We can also learn to better deal with difficult situations and prevent anger from reaching a boiling point. So, don’t bottle your anger up.

Matthew 18:15 says, “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.

Once we understand what’s causing our anger, we can address it. One way to do this is by using anger management techniques. Several different methods can be helpful, such as deep breathing, visualization, and positive self-talk. For example, Leviticus 19:17 says, “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him.” In other words, if you’re angry at someone for something they did or said, look at the situation from their point of view or a different perspective. And don’t lash out in anger.

Anger is never productive. It always leads to more problems. We need to control our anger and not let it control us to be productive. If you find that you’re often getting angry, I will encourage you to pray for wisdom and guidance; Forgive the person who hurt you, and let go of any resentment; Take some time for yourself to calm down before trying to deal with the situation that made you angry; trying to see the problem from the other person’s perspective, and understanding that they may not have meant to hurt you. It might also be helpful to talk to a therapist or counselor who can help you understand and manage your anger. Proverbs 14:29 says, “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.”

Prayer:
1. Oh Lord, help me not to give in to the devil’s temptation and be angry in an unhealthy way.
2. I pray for you, may the Lord give you the heart that chooses to be a peacemaker, the power to control your temper, and the heart that forgive in Jesus’ name. Amen.