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anger

The Anger Mandate

May 6, 2020 by Joe Kappel

by Pastor Al Cage

Anger is a complicated emotion that is often readily displayed but difficult to understand.  Yet, God intended anger to be used by believers for His glory and their good. After all, the Bible clearly teaches, “Be angry and do not sin” (Eph. 5:22).  This simple phrase frames the wonderful opportunity presented for believers to use anger to honor God.   

In a fallen world, sinners are easily disposed to display anger in ways that dishonor God and harm others.  To change this narrative, it is imperative to examine what the bible teaches on anger.  With straightforward clarity, the Apostle Paul breaks the anger mandate down into two components: a) “be” angry; and b) do not sin.  Paul’s exhortation is unnervingly clear in its meaning, yet it presents a slippery slope that is difficult to navigate in practice. Nevertheless, faithful obedience is required regardless of the difficult challenges inherent with complying to this mandate.

To assist in addressing the “Anger Mandate”, a good place to start is by addressing the “be angry” component.  Noted biblical author and seminary professor Robert Jones helps us to understand biblically what anger is by declaring,

“Anger in Scripture conveys emotion, spanning the spectrum from red-hot rage to icy-blue rejection. But it always involves beliefs and motives, perceptions and desires. And the Bible describes it in behavioral terms that are rich and graphic.  Yet the Bible does not slice the pie into neat analytic categories. Anger is more than mere emotion, volition, cognition, or behavior. Scripture resists simplistic schemes. Anger is complex. It comprises the whole person and encompasses our whole package of beliefs, feelings, actions, and desires.”[1] 

Jones accurately points that anger unfailingly engages the whole person.  Failing to recognize this feeds the tendency to compartmentalize anger as a means to control it.  Unfortunately, using this approach to manage anger often results in the script being flipped—instead of anger being controlled, it becomes the controller.  Under this scenario, anger manifests itself on one hand as a highly volatile eruption, i.e. “red-hot rage”, or on the other hand, it is displayed as cold-blooded indifference, i.e. “icy-blue rejection”.  The entire spectrum that is framed by these extremes is highly destructive and destroys the use of anger as a gift from God.

Now, let’s be clear, God intended for anger to spring out of strong intensity.  That is exactly what Jesus modeled when he tossed the money changers from the temple (Matt. 21:12-17).  Whenever God’s standards are violated, righteous indignation is appropriate.  That is the essence of “be angry”.  When God’s standards are set aside for any reason a whole person response is required.  But—and this is the important consideration—the righteous display of anger must always spring only from a violation of God’s standards. The latitude to “be angry” is very restrictive, and to stray from what angers God is to sin.  In other words, “don’t be angry” over anything that would NOT anger God.

So, if there is a clear mandate to “be angry”, what should “do not sin” look like?  David Powlison, a well-respected Biblical Counselor, offers this helpful insight on the issue,

“It’s hard to do anger right.  Your struggle with anger (and mine) will last a lifetime, but it can go somewhere good. We can learn to deal with anger differently. This book is not about “solving” anger problems. That word “solve” suggests that we can arrive. Give us some answers, change some behaviors, and—just like that—no more problems. It suggests that bad anger is simply a bad habit. But anger is not a problem to solve. It’s a human capacity—like sex, happiness, and sorrow. It is a complex human response to a complex world. And like all human capacities and responses, it sometimes works well, but too often goes bad. Anger creates problems. But having and expressing the right kind of anger in the right way is a good goal.”[2]

The ”Anger Mandate” requires us to not suppress anger, but rather to express it in a Godly manner.  First, distinguishing what kind of anger is boiling up inside (righteous – a violation of God’s standard; or unrighteous – a violation of your standard), the stage is set for what should occur next.  That expression may come through biblical discipline (Heb. 12:5-11).  At other times, grace and mercy should dominate (Eph. 4:31,32).  If the anger is unrighteous, do whatever it takes to dissipate the emotion.  Start by examining what is truly driving the anger, and if required, change an ungodly standard to align with biblical principles.

If anger results from violation of a biblical mandate, it is always best to proceed with caution.  Begin by asking the Lord for wisdom (James 1:5).  Next, remember that you are not immune from falling to the same kind of struggle (Gal. 6:7-10).  Consider if ignoring the issue would be the better approach (Prov. 19:11).  Finally, if displaying anger is best, do so with a spirit of love (Col. 3:13-23).  Always consider if the Lord would be better served by moving on and dissipating your anger.

Anger gets a bad rap and justifiably so.   Too often believers ignore the fact that anger is a gift from God to be used to serve his purposes over our own.  Are you able to “be angry and sin not”?  If there is any wavering at all to answering this question with a resounding “YES”, be very careful.  To dish out unrighteous anger is a great way for God’s indignation to fall on you.  And for that to occur, whatever perceived benefit you falsely thought you might receive by unleashing your unrighteous anger, anger is just not worth it.

 

[1] Jones, Robert D., Uprooting Anger: Biblical Help for a Common Problem (P&R Publishing, Kindle Locations 159-164).

[2] Powlison, David. Good and Angry: Redeeming Anger, Irritation, Complaining, and Bitterness (New Growth Press. Kindle Edition).

Filed Under: Counsel for the Heart Tagged With: anger, Angry, biblical counseling, Sin

Counsel for the Heart: Works of the Flesh (Gal. 5:19-21)

May 6, 2020 by Joe Kappel

One reason we fall into various sins is because we just don’t think sin is a big deal.

Now, most of us wouldn’t say that! We know what the Bible says, and we believe that Jesus died because of our sins. Nevertheless, I still think that we lose fights against the flesh because in the practical day to day we don’t think sin is that big of a deal.

Until it becomes a big deal.

Paul continues in Galatians 5 to talk about the “works of the flesh,” and as dark as the picture is, it is necessary for us to look at these biblical descriptions so we can battle the flesh with humble reliance on God’s Spirit.

Galatians 5:19–21

[19] Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, [20] idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, [21] envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (ESV)

Getting to the Heart:

Paul says the “works of the flesh are evident” (19). Two things here: the flesh doesn’t produce “fruit” like the Spirit does. The outworking of the desires of our flesh (seeking to gratify and exalt self) are works that go out of those desires to hurt others, not help them or nourish them like fruit. Second, Paul says these works are evident, meaning they are plain to see and are everywhere. He lists 16 of those works, but by writing “and things like these” he’s telling us that there seems to be no end to the creative ways our indwelling flesh can find to promote and gratify self.

While this list helps us name the sins, it must not cause us to think that some of these works of the flesh are more deadly or serious than others (for example drunkenness vs. envy). All of us wrestle against these works, and without Christ we’d have no hope to win. As a matter of fact, if we continually exhibit any of these works in an unrepented-of pattern, we will not inherit the kingdom of God. That’s a big deal.

How must we respond? By confessing our particular works of the flesh to God and others, ask for forgiveness, and walk by the Spirit.

Here’s how it happened in my experience just this morning.

I got up this morning and fixed breakfast for the kids. I also made coffee for me and my wife and went the extra step of steaming the milk and making it frothy, with a touch of vanilla. It was French-pressed, steamed milk perfection! I had determined that I needed to get to work, so I wasn’t planning to eat right then, but I carefully prepared my coffee just how I liked it and was eager to enjoy that steaming foamy cafe latte!

But one of my kids was bouncing a bouncy ball around the living room. Perhaps you know what happens next.

I left my coffee on the counter for just a minute as I turned to get something I needed for my work-at-home day, when all of a sudden the bouncy ball sailed through the air, bounced once on the kitchen floor then landed with a plop… in my steaming foamy cup of coffee.

A primal yell emerged from deep within me, “Ahhh!” “Why?!” I’d used up all the milk, and I didn’t want to brew more coffee just to drink it black, so I poured the coffee and bouncy ball out in the drain, and walked away with anger brewing in my heart.

A couple of minutes later I was convicted. That was a fit of anger that bubbled up out of my heart. Why? Because my motive was to enjoy the hot coffee as the fruit of my labor, and it was taken away from me. In that moment I wanted the pleasure of the coffee more than I wanted to love and show forbearance to the bouncer of the ball. I responded in that moment with an outburst of anger, “Ahhh!”

The Holy Spirit gave me insight into my motive and the work of the flesh that was evident. I went and confessed that sin of anger to the child who had bounced the ball, and I asked for forgiveness. The Spirit was kind and faithful to help us be reconciled.

My friends, be specific about the works of the flesh that are in your lives. Confess them specifically to God and others, ask for forgiveness, then continue to walk by the Spirit.

Let’s talk it over:

  • How have you seen the works of the flesh evident in your own life?
  • Are you seeing consistent growth by your ability to identify these works of flesh and put them to death by confession, repentance and walk by the Spirit?

Prayer:

Oh Holy Savior, Lord Jesus Christ, we are humbled by the weight of this list, especially since we have evidenced some of these very works of the flesh. The seriousness of sins is heavy upon us when we see the evident works of the flesh at work in us and in those around us. Especially during this Covid19 quarantine we see these works come out more. But we know You don’t mean us ill by revealing these works, and You never condemn us. We stand holy and cleansed by Your blood, Jesus, and we thank You and love You all the more when we experience Your cleansing and ongoing sanctifying now by Your Spirit. Help us, Lord, and make us continually like You. Amen.

Worship in Song:

Nothing but the Blood of Jesus

Memory Passage Reminder: Galatians 5:22-24

Filed Under: Counsel for the Heart Tagged With: anger, Holy Spirit, works of the flesh

Counsel for the Heart (Introduction)

April 27, 2020 by Joe Kappel

Years ago during seminary I attended a church that memorized scripture together over the course of one year. Of all the excellent content I received in seminary, that year of memorizing scripture was one of the things that most rooted me in the Faith.

Consider what has helped you to grow most as a Christian. What would you attribute to your endurance in following Jesus?

No doubt if you traced those lines of help and influencers down to the source you would see again and again God’s Word has been your lifeline.

Over the course of the next couple of weeks I will be writing a new devotional series called “Counsel for the Heart.” Each weekday I will focus on a common area of heart need that is commonly coming up in biblical counseling during Covid19. Fear, anxiety and worry, depression, anger, addictions, feelings of abandonment by God, and so much more comes up as people have reached out to me and others. As much as we tire of hearing about Covid19, it has provided many opportunities for us to renew our faith and come back to confidence in God by His Word.

In addition to my devotion series you will see accompanying articles written by the biblical counselors of our church. They want all of us to see that life is blessed as we submit to the Lord Jesus and live in obedience to Him.

Above all we know that God’s Word is life-giving! And as I conclude this brief introduction of the series I invite you to memorize a passage with me this week. Work on these verses, meditating on them, asking the Holy Spirit to help you internalize the message. You and I will need this passage always, but especially for times of fear that come up out of seemingly nowhere. I will write more about fear tomorrow and the rest of this week.

Hebrews 13:5–6

[5] Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” [6] So we can confidently say,

“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear;
what can man do to me?” (ESV)

Getting to the Heart:

In this section each day I will ask a question or two or offer a reflection of my own for you to meditate on. For today, consider what this verse says: we can put our confidence in either money or God. One of the draws of money is that if we just get enough of it we can potentially live without fear. The Bible says that is a false assurance. Why?

  • Why is trusting in what money can provide a dangerous hope?
  • According to these verses, how do we know we can trust the Lord?

Prayer: 

Holy Lord, Maker of every human heart, we seek Your blessing on your Word in our lives. Your Word leads to life! To whom else can we go but You? Please use this series on Counsel for the Heart to bring about good in our lives. Please change us to be like our beloved Lord Jesus. Help us by Your Holy Spirit to walk in Your Word with faith. Lift up those who are struggling and tempted by sin. Lead none of us into temptation. You are worthy of our undivided hearts, Father, and we give ourselves again to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Worship in Song:

Christ Our Glory

I’ve had this song on repeat recently. It has gospel-rich truths in it, and these lines stick in my head:

“Our rest is in heaven, our rest is not here
Then why should we tremble when trials draw near?
Be still and remember the worst that can come
But shortens our journey and hastens us home”

Filed Under: Articles, Bible Study, Counsel for the Heart Tagged With: abandonment, addictions, anger, anxiety, Bible, biblical counseling, counsel, covid19, depression, fear, God's Word, worry

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