Sunday, August 27, 2023 AM
RETURN TO HOLINESS: Sin of Anger (pt2)
Mike Teel, Pastor
FOCAL PASSAGE:
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil. —Ephesians 4:26-27 (KJV)
26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. —Ephesians 4:26-27 (NIV)
WHAT IS
?
Ephesians 4:26 says “Be ye angry” or “In your anger”
–The dictionary defines anger simply as: Strong feeling of displeasure, and usually antagonism often accompanied by sinful emotions, words, and actions hurtful to those who are the objects of our anger.
–Anger is a huge and complex issue, and dealing with it extensively is beyond the purpose of our study today.
OF ANGER
1.
ANGER
A. Must possess an accurate perception of true evil.
B. Must be self-controlled.
2.
ANGER
–The main focus of the Bible’s teachings on anger deals with our sinful anger, our sinful reactions to other people’s actions or words.
WITH OUR ANGER
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil. —Ephesians 4:26-27 (KJV)
26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. —Ephesians 4:26-27 (NIV)
1.
OUR ANGER
–The first thing we must consider in dealing with or facing our anger is to realize that no one else causes us to be angry!
2.
FOR ANGER
–The reality is there are normally a few basic motives that anger us.
–Disappointed and our pride is wounded.
–Mistreated by someone.
–When we don’t get our way.
–Angry because someone else is angry.
3. PAUL’S
FOR HANDLING ANGER
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. —Ephesians 4:25-32
A. YOU WILL GET
–King James says it a little more emphatic: 26 Be ye angry, and sin not
–Again, we are to be angry at the things God is angry with and that are sin and the way sin manifests itself in our lives.
B.
ANGER
–Next the Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit tells us to not allow anger to linger in our lives.
–Paul says here are the limits of the length of your anger – Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.
C. FORGIVENESS MUST
–If we are going to not be controlled by our anger, then we must decide we are going to forgive.
D. FORGIVENESS
THE DEVIL
27 and do not give the devil a foothold. —Ephesians 4:27
–The model prayer:
12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ —Matthew 6:12-13
–Both of these verses suggest that if we allow anger to remain in our lives, we will become subject to the whims of the Devil.
–Satan is looking for a foothold in our lives and unfortunately, he has been successful in the area of sinful anger.
ANGER TOWARD
–I have found on occasions a number of Christians who are actually angry with God for some reason.
–Some of them think that God has let them down in some way; others feel that God is actually against them.
1. WHAT ARE WE TO
?
–Is it okay to be angry with God?
–Be careful what we say and even think that we are not guilty of blasphemy.
2. WHY ANGER IS NOT
?
–It is never okay to be angry at God, even though we sometimes are.
–Anger is a moral judgment, and in the case of God, it accuses Him of wrongdoing.
3. HOW TO
THE TEMPTATION?
–How then, can we deal with our temptation to be angry at God?
–Must we just “stuff” our feelings and live in some degree of alienation from God?
–First, we must learn to trust the Sovereignty of God, His wisdom, and our love for God.
–Secondly, we should bring our confusion and perplexity to God in a humble, trusting way.
–Even our anger toward Him was paid for by Christ’s death on the cross.
–Do not deny your sin, confess it to the LORD, repent of it and experience His cleansing power of Christ’s blood shed on the cross for all of us.
LIVE IT OUT
–Who do you need to release from the grips of anger in your life?
–How destructive has anger been in your life; family?
–First step to forgiveness is to truly trust Jesus as your Savior and Lord. Have you done this?