Seven Sins That Will Destroy Your LifeSample

What God is saying about anger (1)

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control (Proverbs 29:11).

Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools (Ecclesiastesm7:9).

I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment... But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell (Matthew 5:22).

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires (Jamesm1:19-20).

"The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love (Psalm 145:145:8).

Anger has at least six primary sources:

1. Personal hurt,

2. Injustice (being done towards us or others),

3. Fear,

4. Frustration (unmet expectations),

5. The by-product of self-pity, jealousy, envy, greed, and bitterness,

6. Greed (not getting what we want leads to anger).

The root cause of anger can be summarised as people making much of their "rights" – their belief that their rights are being violated, and therefore, they respond angrily. To put it in words: "To are frustrating me." "You are in my way." "You are wasting my time." "You are standing in the way of my happiness and comfort." "You are taking away my freedom to live life my way." "Don't tell me how to live."

Therefore, based on what you believe is fair, just, and right, you believe you have the right to be angry. And too often, people will talk about "righteous anger" – they think they have the right to be angry because they have their own view of right or wrong and call on God to support their view.