Love is Not Easily Angered
Series: 40 Days of Love
March 22, 2009
Pastor Bill Bump
1 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)
…(love) is not easily angered.
Anger is the most misunderstood emotion we have as human beings.
The problem is not anger. The problem is whether it’s appropriately or inappropriately expressed.
Typically, there are two extreme responses when angry: Some people clam up, others blow up.
HOW DO I TAME MY TEMPER?
1. RESOLVE TO MANAGE IT
Proverb 29:11 (LB)
A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.
When the word ‘keeps’ is used, it indicates there is a choice.
Resolve means we make a choice in advance.
2. REMEMBER THE COST
Proverb 29:22 (LB)
A hot-tempered man starts fights and gets into all kinds of trouble.
Proverb 15:18 (GN)
Hot tempers cause arguments, but patience brings peace.
Proverb 14:29 (LB)
A wise man controls his temper. He knows that anger causes mistakes.
Proverb 14:17 (GN)
People with hot tempers do foolish things; wiser people remain calm.
Proverb 11:29 (LB)
The fool who provokes his family to anger and resentment will finally have nothing worthwhile left…
Nothing destroys relationships faster than anger.
3. REFLECT BEFORE REACTING
Anger control is largely a matter of mouth control.
Proverb 29:11 (NEB)
A stupid man gives free rein to his anger; a wise man waits and lets it grow cool.
One of the greatest tools for anger management is delay.
During the delay try to understand your anger. Ask yourself two questions:
A. Why am I so angry?
B. What do I really want?
And then figure out which of the three root causes is causing your anger:
A. The first root cause of anger is hurt.
B. The second root cause of anger is frustration.
C. The third root cause of anger is fear.
Psalm 141:3 (NCV)
Lord, help me control my tongue; help me be careful about what I say.
Proverb 20:1 (GN)
Drinking too much makes you loud and foolish. It’s stupid to get drunk.
4. RELEASE MY ANGER APPROPRIATELY
Ephesians 4:26 (GN)
If you become angry, do not let your anger lead you into sin, and do not stay angry all day.
Best way to deal with anger:
A. Don’t suppress it.
B. Don’t repress it.
C. God says the way to deal with our anger is to confess it.
5. RE-PATTERN MY MIND
Romans 12:2 (NLT)
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think…
The way I think determines the way I feel, and the way I feel determines the way I act.
Proverb 22:24 (LB)
Keep away from angry, short-tempered men, lest you learn to be like them…
6. RELY ON GOD’S HELP
Romans 15:5 (NCV)
Patience and encouragement come from God. I pray God will help you agree with each other the way Christ Jesus wants.
Our relationships and our closeness to Jesus will determine the amount of patience we have in our lives.
Galatians 5:22 (NIV)
The fruit of the Spirit is...patience.
Matthew 12:34 (NLT)
“...whatever is in your heart determines what you say.”
My mouth just betrays what I’m really like inside.
CONCLUSION:
Ezekiel 36:26 (Mes)
I’ll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you. I’ll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that’s God-willed, not self-willed.
