ARE YOU ANGRY?

(How does anger affect you?)

 

In our last lesson we saw that anger is an emotion and not all anger is bad. We realize that anger should never control us, whether it is justified or unjustified.

In Genesis chapter 4, we see a story about anger: Abel and Cain.  Abel brought an offering to the Lord.  He brought the firstlings of his flock and of the riches fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering.  Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord (Cain did not bring his best), and his offering received no respect.  Cain became very angry and his expression changed.  So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry?  And why has your countenance fallen?  If you do well, will you not be accepted?  And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door.  And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

Before I go on with this story, I want you to notice some things. God gave Cain the choice to correct his wrong. God even explained to him that sin was lying at his door (that jealous anger was trying to control him).  Notice that Cain’s feeling of anger wasn’t wrong, but God wanted him to get control of it before it controlled him.  What about you?  What choices do you make when anger arises in you?  Do you deal with it right away, or do you let it fester until it controls you and becomes sin?  Let’s go on with this story.

Cain quarreled with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.  What a sad, sad, story.

My friend, sin is still knocking on our door today. Many people become a victim to it and take Cain’s way.  Others let it fester until it destroys their lives.

Since anger is an emotion, it will have certain affects on our lives.  Let’s look at some.

1. A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger reduces strife.  (Proverbs 15:18 )

2. Make no friendship with an angry man: and with a furious man thou shalt not go. Lest thou learn his way, and get a snare to thy soul. (Proverbs 22:24.25)

The Bible tells us that if we live in a habitual state of anger, we will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:20) This is very serious.

Remember, we cannot master anger on our own, but with the help of the Holy Spirit we can win. This is a life-long battle because sin is always knocking, but the good thing about it is we don’t have to let it in.

Pray this prayer with sincerity:

Father, I can so easily let anger take over.  Today, this moment I give you my anger. Help me to conquer this right now.  Each time it comes up, let me be willing to give it to you. In Jesus’ name   

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.