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7 Bible Verses to Read When You’re Angry
7 Bible Verses to Read When
You’re Angry
Found at https://jasonalowe.com/2021/08/30/7-bible-verses-to-read-when-youre-angry/
We live in an age of outrage. (This phrase is not unique to me. For example, Ed Stetzer published a book in 2018 titled Christians in the Age of Outrage. But I think it fits the time we’re in.)
It’s an age filled with conflict and division. It’s a time when the slightest offense can lead to a social media firestorm. It’s a culture that moves swiftly to “cancel” those who fail to follow the shifting cultural norms of the day.
It seems that everyone is angry about something. Each time you pull out
your phone, you may wonder, “Who – or what – is the internet mad at today?”
Sadly, Christians are not immune to this age. Many times, we eagerly
join the fight. For example, consider the alarming surge of COVID’s delta
variant. Opinions regarding the efficacy of masks and vaccines continue to
create sharp disagreements – especially among God’s people. These disagreements
often lead to snap judgments, angry outbursts, and fiery debates on social
media or in Sunday School classes. The result is that relationships are
severed, churches are divided, and our Christian witness is tarnished.
This reality grieves me deeply. But we can do better. As the redeemed people of God, we must do better. Thankfully, the Bible has a lot to say about our anger. Here are 7 Bible verses to read whenever you’re angry:
#1: Proverbs 14:17, 29
“A quick-tempered person acts foolishly, and one who schemes is hated …
A patient person shows great understanding, but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness.”
In these two proverbs buried deep in the Old Testament’s wisdom literature, we learn that a quick-tempered person is a foolish person. In verse 17, we read that this person acts foolishly, which means that their rush to anger is a foolish act in and of itself.
In verse 29, we read that this person promotes foolishness. In other words, their folly is evident to all who witness their outburst. They put it on display for all to see. Have you ever been in a restaurant when an individual angrily and loudly yells at their server because the order was wrong? If you’re like me, I don’t see that individual and think, “Boy, that’s such a wise person. I wish I could be more like them.” No, a quick-tempered person promotes foolishness.
But it’s worse than that…
#2: Galatians 5:19-21
“Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Paul’s list of the works of the flesh includes some obvious culprits. Sexual immorality is there. Idolatry too. Sorcery and drunkenness made the list as well. But there’s a phrase buried deep within this list that you may have overlooked. However, for our current purposes, it needs to be highlighted. Paul says that one of the works of the flesh is outbursts of anger.
We’ve already learned that a quick-tempered person promotes foolishness.
However, Paul takes it a step further. As a work of the flesh, he declares that
a person who “practices such things” will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Let me say that no one is perfect. We all stumble in many ways (James 3:2), and we are all prone to the occasional fit of anger. However, someone who “practices” outbursts of anger is a person who does so regularly. They are known for these episodes of outrage. Similarly, a “quick-tempered person” has earned that label from past experiences. Paul says that it’s likely that such a person is not a genuine Christian and will not inherit the kingdom of God.
#3: James 1:19-20
“My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.”
In these verses, James provides three ways to respond whenever our blood pressure starts to rise. We should be (1) quick to listen, (2) slow to speak, and (3) slow to become angry.
However, many Christians take the opposite approach. We are often (1) slow to listen, (2) quick to speak, and (3) quick to become angry. When we hear someone takes a different position on an issue or they do something we don’t like, we don’t take time to listen to their position or hear their side of the story. Instead, we rush to judgment and anger. We begin to talk about them to others. We may give them a piece of our mind. We quickly spout off a rant on social media. We are offended, and we want the world to know it.
As followers of Christ, James provides a better way to respond. Be quick to listen. Take the time to hear the other person’s perspective. Listen to their story. Allow them to explain their actions. And do so without interrupting. You may find that you still disagree, but you can disagree in a way that honors the Lord. As James reminds us at the end of verse 20, human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.
#4: Matthew 5:21-26
“You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Whoever insults his brother or sister, will be subject to the court. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to hellfire.
So, if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.
Reach a settlement quickly with your adversary while you’re on the way with him to the court, or your adversary will hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny.”
Jesus shares these words near the beginning of his “Sermon on the Mount.” In this sermon, he explains that while certain external acts – such as murder – are sinful and subject to God’s judgment, our inner motives are also subject to judgment. In the case of murder, it reflects a heart that is filled with anger. Both are sinful and subject to the judgment of God.
That’s why Jesus provides a model of how to deal with anger. In his
example, a person worships the Lord at the altar when he remembers someone is
angry with him (“has something against you”). Jesus’ advice is to go
immediately and be reconciled and then return to worship. In other words, deal
with anger quickly regardless of whether you’re angry with someone else or
they’re angry with you. The application is the same: drop whatever you’re doing
and deal with your anger.
If you find yourself angry with someone right now, go and be reconciled with them as soon as possible. If necessary, get the log out of your own eye (Matthew 7:1-5) as part of the reconciliation process. Our next verse will show why it’s so important to deal with your anger quickly.
#5: Ephesians 4:26-27
“Be
angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, and don’t give
the devil an opportunity.”
In verse 27, Paul reiterates Jesus’ point to deal with anger quickly. He says, “Don’t let the sun go down on your anger.” Then, he explains the consequences when we fail to do so. Our festering anger allows the devil to capitalize on our failure to deal with it quickly. He will plant seeds of bitterness in our hearts. He will convince us that those who transgress against us are not worthy of being forgiven. He will tempt us to cancel the relationship. The longer we wait to deal with our anger, the more opportunity the devil has to devour our love for one another.
It’s also worthy of note that Paul begins in verse 26 with an interesting statement. He says, “Be angry and do not sin.” Perhaps you’re wondering, “How is that possible?” It’s only possible when you understand the difference between righteous anger and sinful anger.
For example, Jesus experienced righteous anger at times. In Matthew 21, he was angry when he threw the money changers out of the temple. In Mark 3, he was mad at the hypocritical religious leaders of the day.
However, his righteous anger always occurred due to offenses against God or other people. He never became angry due to personal insults or mistreatment. As Peter explains in 1 Peter 2:23.
When Jesus was reviled, he did not revile in return. When He suffered, he did not threaten.
Instead, Jesus cried out, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
However, we usually get angry over the slightest personal offenses or
mistreatment. When we are reviled, we revile in return. When someone yells at
us, we want to return the favor. When someone resorts to name-calling, we
eagerly throw a few zingers in the opposite direction.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. Because of the gospel, there is hope. We can resist these temptations to respond with sinful anger. The following passage shows us how.
#6: Ephesians 4:31-32
“Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”
Paul understands that while we should deal with our anger quickly, we don’t always do so. Sometimes we allow our anger to fester and to grow into something worse. Even then, we’re not beyond rescue. The apostle implores his readers to remove all bitterness, anger, wrath, shouting, slander, and malice.
The way to do so is to replace these sinful responses with better ones. Instead of experiencing bitterness toward others, extend compassion. Rather than being filled with wrath and anger, be filled with kindness. Instead of shouting at one another, forgive one another, just as the gospel reminds us how much God has forgiven us through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
You don’t have to live as a slave to your anger. The gospel has set you
free. You can be kind and compassionate toward others because Christ has been
kind and compassionate toward you. You can forgive others because Christ has
forgiven you. You can love others because God loved you so much that He sent
His only Son to save you from your sins. If the Son has set you free, you are
free indeed (John 8:36)!
#7: John 13:35
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
In this verse, Jesus says that everyone – including those inside and
outside the church – will know that we are His disciples if we meet one
specific criterion. We must love one another.
Given the debates over masks and vaccines and the growing political divide in our
churches and the way that we argue on social media and the way that we assign labels to our fellow
brothers and sisters in Christ, and the way
that we are quick to cancel those who disagree with us over non-essentials,
what message are we communicating?
In this age of outrage, God has called the church to be different. We are called to love one another, even when we disagree with one another. May God give us the grace to do so!
To Judge or Not to Judge? That is the Question in our Cancel Culture
Published by Jason Lowe
Jason Lowe is the East Regional Consultant for the Kentucky Baptist
Convention, a network of 2,360 churches seeking to reach Kentucky and the world
for Christ. He is a 2001 graduate of Eastern Kentucky University and earned his
Master of Divinity degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in
2011. Lowe has recently authored his first book, The Church During the Search:
Honoring Christ While You Wait For Your Next Pastor. He also served as a
contributor in The Baptist Association: Assisting Churches, Advancing the
Gospel, edited by Ray Gentry. Lowe and his wife, Brandi, live in Pikeville, KY,
and have two sons: Isaiah and Noah. He can be reached at
www.JasonALowe.com. View all posts by Jason Lowe
Dia 19 do Desafio de Louvor 30 Dias
Dia 19
Becky Harling
“Eu serei para vós um Pai, e vós sereis para Mim filhos e filhas, diz o Senhor Todo-Poderoso.” - 2Co.6:18
O Convite
Eu sou o seu Abba. O Seu nome está gravado na palma da Minha mão. Tu és o Meu filho precioso e muito amado. Amo-te além de tudo o que possas imaginar! Antes do inÃcio dos tempos, Eu escolhi a famÃlia na qual nasceste. Sei que as Minhas decisões, por vezes, são difÃceis para si compreender, mas confie em Mim. Posso transformar a história de vida mais confusa na mais bela das histórias. Enquanto crescias, Eu segurava-te perto do Meu coração. Mesmo nos teus momentos mais negros, Eu nunca saà do teu lado. Os pais humanos falham. Mesmo os melhores pais terrenos não são perfeitos e podem deixar cicatrizes emocionais.
Se Me permitir, Eu posso curar as suas feridas. Corações partidos são curados na Minha presença. Quando Me louva como seu amoroso Abba, liberta a Minha presença curadora. Dar-lhe-ei uma alma tranquila como a de uma criança que se sente completamente à vontade com a sua mãe. O louvor abre o seu coração para experimentar o Meu amor e cuidado de forma mais completa!”
Concentre o seu louvor hoje em Deus como o seu pai perfeito e amoroso. As Escrituras ensinam-nos que Ele nos ama mais do que a mãe mais carinhosa. Se sofreu maus tratos quando era criança, saiba que estou a rezar por si enquanto escrevo isto. Eu compreendo e também já passei por isso. Mas, à medida que aprendi a louvar a Deus todos os dias, Ele começou a curar essas feridas. Estou confiante de que Ele fará o mesmo por si, à medida que Lhe leva louvor e gratidão.
Nunca mais terão fome; nunca mais terão sede. O sol não os acometerá, nem qualquer calor os queimará. Pois o Cordeiro que está no centro do Trono será o seu Pastor; Ele conduzi-los-á às fontes de água viva. E Deus enxugará dos seus olhos toda a lágrima. (Apocalipse 7:16-17)
Ouvir
Ouça “Broken Hallelujah” interpretada por Mandisa.
"Broken Hallelujah", de Mandisa, é uma canção sobre a prestação de adoração a Deus mesmo perante circunstâncias difÃceis. Ela reconhece a dor e a fragilidade da vida, mas sublinha que um «aleluia destroçado» — uma expressão sincera, embora imperfeita, de louvor — é ainda uma oferta significativa a Deus. A canção encoraja os ouvintes a encontrar esperança e força na presença de Deus, mesmo no meio das lutas.
Aqui estão as palavras como Madisa canta:
Verso 1:
Com o meu amor e a minha tristeza
Eu venho diante de Ti, Senhor
O meu coração está em mil pedaços
Talvez até mais
Ainda assim, confio neste momento
Estás comigo de alguma forma
E Tu sempre foste fiel
Então, Senhor, mesmo agora
Refrão:
Quando tudo o que posso cantar
É um aleluia quebrado
Quando a minha única oferta
É um louvor despedaçado
Ainda uma canção de adoração
Se levantará destas ruÃnas
Eu Te adorarei e Te darei graças
Mesmo quando o meu único louvor
É um aleluia quebrado
Verso 2:
Oh Pai, Deste-me
Muito mais do que mereço
E senti a Sua mão de bênção
Sobre mim a cada passo
Como poderia eu duvidar da Sua bondade
A Sua sabedoria, a Sua graça
Então, Senhor, escuta o meu coração
Neste lugar doloroso
Refrão:
Quando tudo o que posso cantar
É um aleluia quebrado
Quando o meu único Oferta
É louvor despedaçado
Ainda uma canção de adoração
Será erguida destas ruÃnas
Eu te adorarei e te darei graças
Mesmo quando o meu único louvor
É um aleluia quebrado
Ponte:
Aleluia
Eu levanto a minha voz
O Seu EspÃrito move-se
Eu levanto as minhas mãos
Eu alcanço-te
Refrão:
Quando tudo o que posso cantar
É um aleluia quebrado
Quando a minha única oferta
É louvor despedaçado
Ainda uma canção de adoração
Será erguida destas ruÃnas
Eu te adorarei e te darei graças
Mesmo quando o meu único louvor
É um aleluia quebrado
e “Hold Me Together” interpretada por Loud Harp. A música "Hold Me Together", dos Loud Harp, centra-se no tema de confiar num poder superior para apoio e força em momentos difÃceis. A letra expressa um apelo para que este poder "mantenha [a cantora] unida" perante a adversidade, como quando o mundo se desmorona, o coração se esgota ou quando se sente cansado, perdido ou em queda. A canção enfatiza um sentimento de esperança e crença na ressurreição, mesmo em momentos de fragilidade.
[Verso]
Eu clamo àquele
Aquele que me segura
Mantém-me unido
Mantém-me unido. (x2)
[Refrão]
Quando o mundo desmorona - Manténs-me unido
Quando o meu coração está a ceder - Manténs-me unido
Quando estou cansado e sozinho - Manténs-me unido
Quando perdi tudo o que tinha - Manténs-me unido
Quando tropeço e caio - Manténs-me unido
Quando corro, se rastejo - Manténs-me unido
[Verso]
Eu clamo àquele
Aquele que me segura
Mantém-me unido.
Quando ouve, louve a Deus por Ele ter estado consigo na sua infância. Se as lágrimas vierem, deixe-as fluir. Por vezes, a nossa adoração é melhor expressa em choro.
Rezar
Meu Pai, Tu és Aquele que escuta cada clamor do meu coração e se inclina para ouvir. Louvo-te por me amares ternamente como uma mãe ama o seu filho.
Agradeço-te pela famÃlia em que nasci. Obrigado porque, embora tenha passado por _________________ [nomear aqui as dificuldades: abuso verbal, negligência, punição severa, abuso sexual, abuso espiritual, formas de legalismo, etc.], Tu estiveste sempre comigo.
Nunca foi embora. Obrigado por prometeres enxugar cada lágrima. Prometes curar, redimir e restaurar todos os lugares quebrados do meu coração.
Obrigado. Louvo-Te, Abba, porque és capaz de curar qualquer abandono, depressão, perfeccionismo ou outros problemas emocionais ligados à minha infância.
Obrigado por fazeres com que todas as coisas — até mesmo as dificuldades da infância — contribuam para o meu bem.
Jornal
Atenção: o exercÃcio diário de hoje exigirá mais tempo do que o habitual. Talvez queira adiar até ter tempo suficiente.
Tire algum tempo hoje e escreva um diário sobre a sua infância. Pode ser útil criar uma linha do tempo desde o nascimento até aos 20 anos. Liste as coisas boas que vivenciou e as difÃceis. Como é que a sua infância impactou quem é hoje? Como é que Deus redimiu e curou as memórias difÃceis? Termine escrevendo uma oração de louvor a Deus por ser o seu Abba e por redimir qualquer dor que tenha experimentado na infância.
