The Right Kind of Anger

Preached on October 24, 2010

INTRODUCTION

One saying rightly goes:

Control yourself! Anger is only one letter short of danger.

•Anger has become a real problem in the modern day church.

Steven Cole:
During my years in the ministry, I’ve seen many Christian marriages break up because of abusive anger. I’ve even heard of pastors who use anger to intimidate and control their families and to dominate others in the church. ... I’ve seen church members angry with other church members to the point of leaving the church, rather than be reconciled.

Almost always, those who are angry deny it.


I once had an elder at my church in California whose face was red, the veins on his neck were bulging, and his fists were clenched as he vehemently said to me through clenched teeth, “I am not angry!”

RECAP

There are 3 kinds of anger:

Divine Anger - the anger of God against sin
Righteous Anger - man's anger against things that do not please God
Sinful Anger - James 4: 1-3

THE PASSAGE

Ephesians 4:26-27 [NASB]
BE ANGRY, AND YET DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.

Phillips Modern English
If you are angry, be sure that it is not a sinful anger. Never go to bed angry—don’t give the devil that sort of foothold.

THE RIGHT KIND OF ANGER

1. Be rightfully anger against sin and evil
    Be angry at the right things

• Our sins
• Sin of others
• Sins of the world

2. Be angry in the right way

    Ephesians 4: 26-27 (NASB) 
    BE ANGRY, AND YET DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger. . .

    "Do not sin" includes:

• Choosing the right words Prov 25:11
• Choosing and speaking gracious words. Gracious words should be free from sin
• Being angry can be done in kindness
• Forgiveness is not an option

WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO?

Be angry at the sin not the person
Show the fruit of the Spirit
Prayerfully thing through a course of action


CONCLUSION

Don't let the devil get a foothold.
Remember Christ's forgiveness

Titus 3: 3-6

3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.


4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,


5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,


6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior