Hope & Help for Handling Sinful Anger

Tim Keeter (timkeeter@gmail.com)

I. God’s Design for Anger

A. Definition

Dictionary.com: a strong feeling of displeasure … aroused by a wrong

Revised: A strong feeling of displeasure, aroused by a sense of injustice, that provokes action (to glorify God and appropriately address the wrong)

Tim Keeter (timkeeter@gmail.com)

I. God’s Design for Anger

A. God’s anger

Tim Keeter (timkeeter@gmail.com)

“And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”

Mt. 18:34-35

I. God’s Design for Anger

Tim Keeter (timkeeter@gmail.com)

“THEREFORE I WAS ANGRY WITH THIS GENERATION, AND SAID, ‘THEY ALWAYS GO ASTRAY IN THEIR HEART, AND THEY DID NOT KNOW MY WAYS’; AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, ‘THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST.’ ”

He. 3:7-11

I. God’s Design for Anger

Tim Keeter (timkeeter@gmail.com)

O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger, Nor chasten me in Your wrath.

Ps. 6:1

God is a righteous judge, And a God who has indignation every day.

Ps. 7:11

I. God’s Design for Anger

Tim Keeter (timkeeter@gmail.com)

Therefore the LORD heard and was full of wrath; And a fire was kindled against Jacob And anger also mounted against Israel,

Ps. 78:21

For they provoked Him with their high places And aroused His jealousy with their graven images. When God heard, He was filled with wrath And greatly abhorred Israel;

Ps. 78:58–59

I. God’s Design for Anger

B. Jesus’ anger

Tim Keeter (timkeeter@gmail.com)

… And He said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill?” But they kept silent. After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored. …

Mk. 3:1-6

I. God’s Design for Anger

Tim Keeter (timkeeter@gmail.com)

But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Mk. 10:14

And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves.

Mt. 21:12

I. God’s Design for Anger

C. Paul’s anger

Tim Keeter (timkeeter@gmail.com)

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.

Ga. 2:11

II. Man’s Perversion of Anger

A. Corrupt perception of what is an “injustice”

Tim Keeter (timkeeter@gmail.com)

being darkened in their understanding, …Eph. 4:18

II. Man’s Perversion of Anger

B. Corrupt goals in addressing the perceived injustice

Tim Keeter (timkeeter@gmail.com)

“The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.”

Lk. 6:45

Others exist to:•Please me•Serve me•Respect me•Meet my needsSo I will:•Judge•Criticize•Impress•Manipulate

The Self-Centered Perspective of Others

II. Man’s Perversion of Anger

C. Corrupt actions flowing from sinful treasures

Tim Keeter (timkeeter@gmail.com)

generates

r e v e a l s

motives

desirestreasures

thoughtsaffections

will

reasoning

attitudes

emotionsconscience

II. Man’s Perversion of Anger

• Jas. 4:1-10

Tim Keeter (timkeeter@gmail.com)

A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of evil devices is hated. …He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.

Pr. 14:17,29

II. Man’s Perversion of Anger

D. Corrupt “harvest”

Tim Keeter (timkeeter@gmail.com)

for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

Jas. 1:20

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.

Eph. 4:26–27

II. Man’s Perversion of Anger

Tim Keeter (timkeeter@gmail.com)

Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.

Ps. 37:8

Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the pressure of the wicked; For they bring down trouble upon me And in anger they bear a grudge against me.

Ps. 55:3

II. Man’s Perversion of Anger

Tim Keeter (timkeeter@gmail.com)

Do not associate with a man given to anger; Or go with a hot-tempered man, Or you will learn his ways And find a snare for yourself.

Pr. 22:24–25

An angry man stirs up strife, And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.

Pr. 29:22

III. Hope & Help for the Sinfully Angry Person

A. Verify what kind of injustice it is• “I am not infallible in my assessment of what

is an ‘injustice’.”• Is this an injustice in God’s eyes? (Be specific)• Should I gather more information?• Should I seek wise counsel?

Tim Keeter (timkeeter@gmail.com)

III. Hope & Help for the Sinfully Angry Person

B. Weigh the purpose of the response• “What am I wanting?”

“What is important to me?”

• “What should I be wanting?” “What should be important to me?”

Tim Keeter (timkeeter@gmail.com)

Others exist for:•God’s glory

So I will:•Love•Serve•Evangelize•Edify

A God-Centered Perspective of Others

III. Hope & Help for the Sinfully Angry Person

C. Weigh the nature of the response1. When time permits, action should only occur after:

a. Careful self-examination (Ps. 139:23-24; Mt. 7:3-5)1) Do I have the facts right? (Pr. 18:13)2) Should love hide it? Is it sinful? Is it hindering

growth? (1 Pe. 4:8)3) Is my timing right? (Pr. 15:23)4) Is my attitude right? (Eph. 4:15)5) Are my goals God-centered? (Ps. 73:25-28;

Ro. 11:36; 1 Co. 10:31)b. Prayerful/biblical evaluation (Pr. 15:22)

Tim Keeter (timkeeter@gmail.com)

III. Hope & Help for the Sinfully Angry Person

2. Righteous action will always be consistent with Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 4:2,29; Col. 4:6

Tim Keeter (timkeeter@gmail.com)

III. Hope & Help for the Sinfully Angry Person

Tim Keeter (timkeeter@gmail.com)

This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;

Jas. 1:19

BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

Eph. 4:26

III. Hope & Help for the Sinfully Angry Person

Tim Keeter (timkeeter@gmail.com)

Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

Ps. 4:4

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Ro. 12:21

III. Hope & Help for the Sinfully Angry Person

D. Homework ideas• Journaling• Scripture memory / reading / meditation• Practice thankful prayer (1 The. 5:18)• Practice how they discuss trials with others

(God-honoring, hope-filled, content)• Think lists• Plans for addressing perceived injustices that are

commonly experienced

Tim Keeter (timkeeter@gmail.com)

Example Think List Items

• Is this really an injustice (i.e., God didn’t get what He wants)?

• Have I examined my facts, motives, attitude, timing, etc.?

• Have I prayerfully sought godly counsel from God’s Word and others?

• More than “fixing the injustice”, do I desire to act with kindness, gentleness, …, self control so as to resolve the problem and give grace to all involved?

Tim Keeter (timkeeter@gmail.com)

III. Hope & Help for the Sinfully Angry Person

E. Case studies

Tim Keeter (timkeeter@gmail.com)

Hope & Help for Handling Sinful Anger

Tim Keeter (timkeeter@gmail.com)