How many of us have seen people not fulfill their destiny because of their anger? It’s very sad to see people miss an opportunity because they can’t control their anger.

Anger is defined as a strong feeling of great annoyance, displeasure or hostility. The opposite of anger is the virtue of peace.

Proverbs 29:22 says, “A man of wrath stirs up strife, and a man given to anger commits and causes much transgression.” (AMP)

We must learn to handle anger.

Pastor Tim says, “Anger is one letter short of danger!” We all get angry, but we must not stay angry.

The first time anger is mentioned in the Bible is in the story of Cain and Abel. Genesis 4:1-14 says:
Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the Lord.” Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat.

And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. 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.” Now Cain talked 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. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?”
He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground. So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.” And Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear! Surely You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground; I shall be hidden from Your face…” (NKJV)
Cain’s jealousy led to anger and his anger led to murder.

Notice God said, “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.” God warned Cain that sin was at his door to destroy him, but he should rule over that anger. Cain let his anger get the best of him.

Another time anger is mentioned is when Moses’ anger stopped him from entering into the Promised Land. Numbers 20:7-12 says:
Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals.” So Moses took the rod from before the Lord as He commanded him. And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank. Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them. (NKJV)
All Moses had to do was obey God. Unfortunately, his anger got the best of him and stopped him from fulfilling his destiny.

How many of us have seen people not fulfill their destiny because of their anger? It’s very sad to see people miss an opportunity because they can’t control their anger.

We have all, at one time or another, been so angry that it caused us to say or do something that we now regret.

When we give in to anger, we often focus on our own welfare, comfort or happiness. Instead, we should be primarily concerned about other people’s welfare and being a good witness for God.

A few seconds of anger can cause a lifetime of resentment. We should not be ruled or controlled by anger or any other emotion. Ephesians 4:26 says, “Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath.” (NKJV)

This scripture shows us that we can be angry and NOT sin. It’s what we do with anger that becomes sin. If we act on our anger, then we sin.
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.(James 1:19-21 NLT)
You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. If you practice these principles, you’ll be slow to get angry.

Be quick to listen. Hear the other side, consider your past experiences, and put yourself in their shoes.

Be slow to speak. You will make a mistake if you speak too fast. You can’t take back what you say. Words are like toothpaste, once you squirt it out of the tube, you can’t put it back.
Proverbs 12:16 says, “A fool’s wrath is known at once, but a prudent man covers shame.” (NKJV)

Humbly accept the word of God. Be teachable through the Bible because it affects your soul.
James 1:22 says, “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” (NLT)

Second Corinthians 4:18 says, “While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (NKJV)

Remember, when you’re angry about something, the situation will eventually change. It’s only temporary and subject to change. Galatians 5:22-24 says:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (NKJV)
The fruit of the spirit is self-control.

Self-control is having power over yourself. Self-control is the power to not do something you really want to do or what may seem natural.

Having self-control doesn’t mean you will express complete control in ALL situations. Self-control comes with maturity, practice and prayer. It’s learned on a daily basis through situations and circumstances.

If you want to know if someone is a mature Christian, ask yourself, “Do they have self-control?”

Peace is the Opposite of Anger

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. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
(Phil. 4:8 NKJV)

Meditate (think about, mutter and ponder) on things that are pure, lovely, and good and the peace of God will be with you.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.”
(Rom. 8:5-7 NIV)

Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers.? But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.
(1 Peter 3:8-12 NLT)
The Bible says to search for peace, and it will be work to maintain it. God’s eyes watch you when you do right and His ears are open to your prayers.

A great way to get peace in your life is through praise and worship.

Colossians 3:15-16 says, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (NKJ)

Worshiping brings peace to you and your soul. It’s faith in God expressed in words through your action! When we worship, we magnify God. He becomes larger than our situation.

Meadowbrook Church
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