I guess many churches don't realize how prevalent anger is, though the effects are clearly seen nearly everywhere I go. I've seen it eat up my life in many areas. I've seen it affect my relationships with my others. I've seen it nearly divide my church. I've seen it turn to negativity and bitterness in others to the point that I wonder about their salvation. Yet, the teaching and preaching I've heard has never truly dealt with anger. Either it has been brushed aside, or the teachings on dealing with it are not very different from the secular, humanistic ones.
I've been led, through a series of events that only God could orchestrate, to some of the teachings of Dr. S.M. Davis. His teachings on anger have truly changed the way I think about anger. Using the Bible, dissecting the verses if need be, he has taken years of Christian teaching about anger and made it seem ridiculous. I've listened to two sermons of his, one online and one I bought through Titus 2 Ministries on CD.
I've dealt with anger for years. I want to say it's a battle, but often I didn't fight very hard to overcome it. I liked it. There were other words used to describe anger like it was a personality trait; spirited, feisty, scrapper, fighter. I honestly believed that my anger was a part of my personality that helped me to overcome things. Before I was a Christian, thinking that way seemed normal. However, once I became a Christian, thinking that way gives no credit to God for getting me through tough times. Thinking this way also makes it easy to disregard scripture and keep anger as a defense mechanism. Truthfully, in today's world, anger has not been called what it is... SIN.
In defense of anger, I have heard and used all the arguments. In Ephesians 4:26 the Bible states, "Be angry and sin not." One version says,"Don't sin by letting anger control you." I have heard this verse justify anger because they interpret the scripture to mean it's okay to get angry as long as you don't act badly. However, five verses later the bible says to ,"Get rid of ALL bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander".
Dr. Davis brought a lot of common sense into his teaching about anger. Even more, he brought a lot of Biblical truths. Something is messed up when Christians can read verses about anger in the Bible that says to stay away from angry people; says repeatedly to get rid of anger; lumps anger in with witchcraft, idolatry, and sexual immorality; says an angry person is a fool; and even says anger makes us subject to judgment (words of Jesus in Matthew 5); Yet we continue to justify our anger.
I have heard the argument that it is alright to get angry because Jesus got angry. Since we are supposed to model our lives after Jesus, it must be okay to get angry. I no longer use that excuse. When Jesus got angry, he didn't act in rage. Did her cleanse the Temple? Yes, after he had looked around carefully the day before. I venture that, as God in the flesh, he had a bit more authority in this area. I also venture that he did what he did without sin. Is this a righteous anger we should seek to emulate? Well, when things enter our lives that bring about anger at injustice, we should take the matter to God and let Him act. Our anger should be turned into prayer, If we are moved to act after that, it will never be in vengeance. It will be in love, with actions that represent tenderhearted forgiveness, gentleness, and a giving, generous spirit.
Dr. Davis makes it clear that there should be no justification for anger. What I have noticed, since hearing these messages and being convicted of the sin of anger in my life, is just how often I am angry at little things. I feel it rising up as frustration and irritation. I feel frustrated with my children when they act poorly or aren't obedient or don't seem to be listening. I feel anger rising up all through-out the day, usually at things that aren't a big deal. Then, there are the areas that have plagued me for years: that person that has caused so much pain and hurt in my life, the situation that never seems to change or improve, that child that I fear is rebelling and turning more to the world than I would like... all these things are serious issues. One thing Dr. Davis talks about is that we feel justified in our anger because we feel that our anger is going to fix the thing that is broken. In reality, all anger does is deceptively destroy.
Anger is deceptive. Anger changes the way a person thinks. Anger affects a person's health. Anger can contaminate every area of a life until that life is nearly unrecognizable. Anger also gives ground to Satan. When you get angry you give Satan the right to come into your life and take control. I grieve over the control I have easily just tossed over to Satan over the years.
I am slowly learning to feel when anger is starting, and take that as a signal that something is not right. Then, I pray and ask for God to guide me and help me to show the Fruit of the Spirit. I ask for the Holy Spirit to take over. I've been searching for root causes to my anger. My husband is helping me to help hold me accountable. I'm trying to come to the point where I know there is NO justification for anger. Replacing anger with Praise is taking more work. It still feels unnatural. Yet, I'm determined.
Why was I never told about any of this before? Maybe God knew I wasn't ready for it and I would have dismissed it. I know that most churches really need a wake up call in this area. So many churches think there is a justifiable, righteous anger. Unfortunately, there really isn't. God can get angry and bring justice. But, as it says in James 1:20 - A man's anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.
My journey in battling anger is going to take many turns, I'm sure. I have asked to be cleansed completely, and I know Satan will fight that. Yet, the devastating effects of anger in my life are hard to ignore. I've passed it on to my oldest, and that saddens me greatly. I'm hoping that, one day, she'll see the difference of Christ in me and want that for herself. Anger is so deceptive that even how I relate to other people has been affected. This changes how I relate to my friends and family, how I react as a parent, even how I parent. Yes, God is working. I am thankful for it even if it is often the hardest thing in the world.
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