Anger Without Sinning forms part of our At His Feet Bible Study Series and will help you understand the deeper meaning as well as the dangers of anger.
We are all guilty of this to some degree, but I also know that we serve a living God who can do more than we can ever dream or think.
If not for anyone else then this article was meant for me, and although I thought I have improved on this, I just learned how much more room for improvement there is.
I pray you will be able to clearly discern the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking directly to you while reading this article.
Anger Without Sinning
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 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.”
Matthew 5:21-22
Those Of Old / The Old Times
Because of the authority Jesus taught the people with every spoken word the crowds were amazed (Matthew 7:28-29).
Jesus refers here to the laws of the Old Testament taught by Moses, this is the law that was taught in the synagogues and is the first five books of the Bible.
As the spokesperson for God, Jesus did in no way want to nullify the commandment, you shall not kill, but instead, give a better understanding to his listeners about anger, and the consequences of anger.
In those times the judgment court was a local village counsel that heard the matters of the people and decided on sentences.
In this passage, Jesus states that killers will be liable to the judgment court which means court’s here on earth, but we need to keep in mind that we will all appear before God on the day of judgment.
The Sin Of Anger
Jesus explained that just being angry at someone makes you a murderer, without having to commit the physical act.
He wants us to realize that other than what we think might be true, He knows our thoughts and the inner things of our hearts, and they do matter.
We might look at ourselves with satisfaction thinking that our conduct and behavior are in a way that will please God, while God looks at our inner being, knowing our secret thoughts and desires with which we can be condemned and judged.
Not one of us is perfect and all are on the journey of sanctification, the race we ran to receive the crown of life.
What we can do is ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us all pride and unforgiveness to confess and allow Christ to wash us clean with His blood.
Our prayer and inner confession should be that we have died in ourselves in order for Christ to live in and through us.
“For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Galatians 2:19-20
With Or Without Cause
The words ‘without cause’ were not in the original transcripts, but in essence, they mean that anger in its totality is forbidden against another.
When we have anger outbursts against others we can inflict wounds in their hearts that can cause them a lot of suffering and heartache.
Inflicted anger on others is the killer of love, joy, and hope.
When we cherish anger against others it causes us to start a breeding process in our hearts where that little seed of anger grows and becomes a big tree of hate and revenge that can result in physically hurting or murdering someone.
Jesus teaches about the physical act of murder and demonstrates how our anger against another is seen as murder in the heart.
He condemns and forbids all anger, the anger that rises up and dies quickly, the selfish anger, the brooding anger, as well as the deep-rooted anger.
” “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath.” “
Ephesians 4:26
Angry Speech And Words Of Insult
In this teaching, Jesus starts with the consequences of murder, then anger, and at last the words of insults and contempt.
The word ‘raca’ means to speak degrading words describing one as being stupid, or an idiot, and referring to their mental ability, to utter those humiliating words with contempt that despise and insult others.
The word ‘moros’ means fool and was used to humiliate them in such a way as to disown them from their name and reputation.
To call someone a fool originates from spite, revenge, and hate to slander which is a poisonous slow killer.
When we take part in or initiate idle gossip, tell and spread evil-intended lies and stories, tear down their reputations, and rob them of their names and legacy we are murderers at heart.
Jesus wants us to understand that to kill is bad, to get angry is worse, but to speak to others with contempt and insulting words is the worst.
To physically murder anyone will always be wrong and liable for judgment and sentencing in heaven and on earth.
But the severest punishment of all these is when we become murderers at heart, this is when we will have to give account in hell for it.
How To Overcome Anger Issues
This is not something that you will easily overcome by yourself, possible, but not easy.
All of us are guilty to a degree of this.
In our journey of sanctification, it is our hearts that need to be cleansed and purified and not alone in our outward conduct towards others.
I will always encourage anyone struggling with this to seek help, either by going to a Christian counselor or to a psychologist. You may also consider applying these to help you overcome anger.
1. Protect Your Heart
“Keep your heart with all diligence,
Proverbs 4:23
For out of it spring the issues of life.”
Do not allow irritation, jealousy, pride, and anger to brew in your heart.
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you as soon as any negative thoughts arise in your heart that can brew into anger.
2. Confess Thoughts Of Anger.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9
Confess your thoughts of anger and ask God to remove that bitterness and anger.
3. Break The Habit – Do Not Speak Ill Of Others
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
Matthew 5:44-45
In this study, we learned what the consequences of being mad at other is.
Jesus gives us the solution to how to react when others are mean to us, and in doing so we will protect our hearts.
- Love your enemies.
- Bless those who curse you.
- Do good to those who hate you.
- Pray for those who spitefully use and persecute you.
4. Break The Habit – Choose Forgiveness.
“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:32
When we forgive our transgressors we help ourselves to be freed from the chains of anger.
When you recognize negative feelings towards your transgressor say aloud or in your heart, Father, I forgive them, bless them, and acquit them.
This is not something that can be done only once, but every time you recognize negative feelings.
As a result, you will gradually be freed from all those feelings and the Lord will grant you a love in Christ for them to fully forgive and pray for them.
5. Break The Habit – Stop Complaining
“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world”
Philippians 2:14-15
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.”
Colossians 3:23-25
When we do everything without complaining, and as for the Lord, we bury the negative feelings and stop them from brewing into anger.
We change our focus from the negative to our motivation to have victory over the little things that steal our joy.
6. Break The Habit – Thanksgiving
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Giving thanks for all the things you feel are too much for you to bear will result in having a greater dependence and trust in God in difficult circumstances.
Just keep giving Him glory and honor while giving Him thanks that He knows and understands what you are going through.
If you ever wondered what God’s will for you is, this is your answer:
- Rejoice always,
- Pray without ceasing,
- In everything give thanks.
7. Break The Habit -Cast Away The Negative Thoughts
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down 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”
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
Philippians 4:8
In prayer ask God to take every thought into captivity to Him.
Think and meditate on everything that is:
- True,
- Noble,
- Just,
- Pure,
- Lovely,
- Of the good report,
- Of virtue and
- Praiseworthy.
When doing that we cultivate new thought habits that will be rewarded with a calm, and gentle mind and spirit.
Let’s Get Practical:
Application: By studying, applying, and praying the 7 points above on How To Overcome Anger Issues for 40 days you would be on the right track for victory.
Prayer points: Include the 7 points on How To Overcome Anger Issues in your prayer time and War Room.
Promise: When we do not commit physical as well as murder in the heart, are not angry with others, treat them with contempt, humiliate, and curse them, we will be welcomed into the Kingdom of God (Matthew 5:21-22).
You may also like to read the previous article 31 Scriptures To Assist With Anger Management.
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Everything in Him, unto Him, and to glorify His Holy Name!
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