Ps Chua Wee Hian - Overcoming anger

2. Introduction:
The importance of being authentic – real.
Christians do have doubts; we struggle with fear,
anxiety, depression, unforgiveness and anger.
When we wear our pious masks we may fool
others and even ourselves but not God. Some
Christians are double faced. They may need two
Facebook Accounts – one for each face!

3. Overcoming Anger: to conquer this deep
seated emotion, we must first understand it.
1. UNDERSTANDING ANGER
When anger erupts! Some examples…….
Bible has 266 references to anger – 244 in OT
and 12 in NT.
In the OT, most refer to God. His anger/wrath
against sin.
In the NT, 9 out of 12 occurrences refer to
human anger and 8 out of 9 are classified as
bad.

4. Anger: good and bad
Ephesians 4:26 “In your anger, do not sin. Do
not let the sun go down whilst you are still
angry.”
 Good and bad anger in Moses Ex 32 & Nu 20
 Good or righteous anger in Jesus
Mk 3:5 Healing of man with withered hand.
Mt 23 His denunciation of the Pharisees for
their hypocrisy.
Jn 2:14-17 Cleansing of the temple.
Note: His anger was controlled, not vindictive,
reflecting God’s character.

5. Bad anger:
 Genesis 4: 2ff Cain’s anger and consequences
Key to understanding anger: it is tied to our
significance.
 Pr 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but harsh words stir up anger.”
Words wound and can violate our rights
 Pr 6:28 “A perverse man stirs up dissension,
and a gossip separates close friends.”
Gossip = Injustice, untruth; no right of reply.

6.  Pr 22: 24,25 “Do not make friends with a
hot tempered man, do not associate with
one easily angered, or you may learn his
ways and get yourself ensnared.”
Exposure & interaction with angry people can
be contagious. Anger is only one letter from
(D)anger.”
 Summary: anger grips us when our
significance/worth is challenged. We become
defensive or aggressive; we resort to flight or
fight.

7. 2. OVERCOMING ANGER
 Some worldly wise solutions.
Counting.
Remain silent – sulk or stew in your anger
cf. drinking poison.
Punch bag or primal scream!
Attend Anger Management course.
 Biblical Ways – from James and Ephesians
 Js.1:19-21 Listen first, especially to God
through His word

8.  Eph 5:1,2 &8. Remember who we are: God’s
children; children of light. Affirm our
identity and significance.
 Eph 4:20-24 Live as disciples of Jesus;
Imagery of dressing – put off and put on.
 Eph 4:15;25 Truthing in love.
 Eph 4:24 Resolve anger decisively.
 Eph 4:31 Be compassionate and forgiving.
 Eph 5:18 Be filled with the Holy Spirit.
We need His infilling in all our relationships
– marital, family, work place.

9. CONCLUSION:
No instant solution to
anger.
No silver bullet.
Forming regular habits.
A practical exercise.