But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice. (Colossians 3:8)
Anger is universal. Everyone across the world has been angry at some time in their life. You can vent it, stuff it, or deny it; or you can get rid of it. Every day you can watch the news and see how anger is at the bottom of rage on the road, in the air, in the schools, at work, and worst of all, in our homes. How do you know if you are angry? Anger can vary in intensity from mild annoyance that is hardly noticeable to extreme rage. Most people know if they are angry, but sometimes we overlook the more subtle forms of anger.
A grudge, recalling a negative incident from the past, is a form of anger. Other words people use that really are a form of anger include annoyed, wounded, frustrated, or dissatisfied. Most people would agree that unrestrained anger can destroy you, but they don’t always agree with how to tame it. Once again you have a choice: to handle your anger the way the world does or in the way God tells us to handle it.
1 Peter 2:1 – ”Rid yourselves of all malice.”
Ephesians 4:31 – “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”
Proverbs 14:17 – “A quick-tempered man does foolish things.”
Ecclesiastes 7:9 – “Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.”
James 1:20 – “For man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”
Psalm 37:8 – “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.”
Proverbs 16:32 – “Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.”
How can a human being who naturally responds angrily to people and circumstances change from responding in anger to responding in love? This is humanly impossible. It takes a miracle. You need supernatural help which you can only get from God.
Here are 3 basic steps you can use to help you deal with anger God’s way:
- Recognize your anger is sin – Anger is listed as a work of the sinful nature in Galatians 5:19-21.
- Confess your sin – 1 John 1:9 tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
- Replace your anger with the fruit of the Spirit – When you have a cleansed heart, you can ask God for the power of the Holy Spirit to produce the fruit of the Spirit in your life. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23).
Take time to carefully study the verses included in this devotional and ask God to show you areas of anger in your heart. Take action by applying the three steps above. Ask God for a miracle today by exchanging an angry heart for a heart filled with love and peace.