Wednesday Service | THE BOOK OF WISDOM | Part 4: Controlling Anger

[1] What will make me in God’s eyes?

Proverbs 16:32 (NKJV)

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

Amplified Bible

He who is slow to anger is better and more honorable than the mighty [soldier],
And he who rules and controls his own spirit, than he who captures a city.

Living Bible

It is better to be slow-tempered than famous; it is better to have self-control than to control an army.

Proverbs 19:11 (NIRV)

A person’s wisdom makes them patient. They will be honored if they forgive someone who sins against them.

TLB

A wise man restrains his anger and overlooks insults. This is to his credit.

[2] Anger reveals what we love

James 1:19 (NIRV)

My dear brothers and sisters, pay attention to what I say. Everyone should be quick to listen. But they should be slow to speak. They should be slow to get angry.

We see Jesus express anger several times in the gospels:

• Money changers in the temple – Mark 2

• Religious leaders – Mark 3

• Tomb of Lazarus – John 11

[3] Ongoing anger can negatively effect our

Jeremiah 15:17-18 (NCV)

¹⁷ I never sat with the crowd as they laughed and had fun.
I sat by myself, because you were there, and you filled me with anger at the evil around me. ¹⁸ I don’t understand why my pain has no end. I don’t understand why my injury is not cured or healed. Will you be like a brook that goes dry? Will you be like a spring that stops flowing?

[4] Anger can be the reason people

Luke 15:28 (NIRV)

“The older brother became angry. He refused to go in. So his father went out and begged him.

Genesis 2:18 (NIV)

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

• A STUDY TELLS US: Single adults express anger twice as much as married adults

[4] Wisdom the of uncontrolled anger

Proverbs 29:22 (NIRV)

An angry person stirs up fights. And a person with a bad temper commits many sins.

Proverbs 15:18 (NLT)

A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.

Proverbs 13:16 (LB)

A wise man thinks ahead; a fool doesn’t and even brags about it!

Proverbs 29:11 (NIRV)

Foolish people let their anger run wild. But wise people keep themselves under control.

[5] Wise people good

Psalm 141:3 (NCV)

Lord, help me control my tongue; help me be careful about what I say.

Proverbs 15:1 (NIRV)

A gentle answer turns anger away. But mean words stir up anger.

[6] Wise people grow in their

• Some build there identify upon their looks… success… fame… a family member

• exists at the root of our unhealthy anger

Proverbs 29:25 (MSG)

The fear of human opinion disables you; but trusting in God protects you from that.

RICK WARREN

“A harsh tongue reveals a angry heart. A negative tongue reveals a fearful heart. A boastful tongue reveals an insecure heart. An overactive tongue reveals an unsettled heart. A judgmental tongue reveals a guilty heart. A critical tongue reveals a bitter heart. A filthy tongue reveals and impure heart.

On the other hand an encouraging tongue reveals a happy heart. A gentle tongue reveals a loving heart. A controlled tongue reveals a peaceful heart.”

• I become more as I build my identity on Jesus

Ephesians 1:4 (LB)

Long ago, even before he made the world, God chose us to be his very own through what Christ would do for us; he decided then to make us holy in his eyes, without a single fault—we who stand before him covered with his love.

Matthew 5:48 (MSG)

⁴⁸ “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”

1 Corinthians 12:13

We are all baptized by one Spirit into one Body. Now, the old labels we once used to identify ourselves with – like Jew or Greek, or slave or free – are no longer needed.