FOM Notes

I’m So Mad All The Time

Part 1 of 6 in the series “Out Of Control”

February 3, 2008                                                Pastor Scott Oldenburgh

 

DISPELLING THE ANGER MYTH

 

r  Anger is not a (sin)

 

“ . . . do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”

Ephesians 4:26a

 

r  Anger can be (appropriate) and (necessary)

- God is described as “slow to anger” -

 

“The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion.  Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.”

Numbers 14:18

 

r  The difference between anger and sin is in the (motivation)

 

r  Righteous anger is motivated by (restoration)

 

 

THE TRUTH ABOUT ANGER

 

When left unchecked, anger is an uncontrollable force

 

“Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?”

Proverbs 27:4

 

The number one word associated with anger in The Bible is:

(Burning)

 

 

THE WARNINGS OF OUT OF CONTROL ANGER

How do I know if I’m out of control?

 

Ä  (Embarassing) situations

 

Ä  Always in a (bad mood)

 

Ä  (Relationships) are hurt

 

Ä  Overly (critical) of everything around you

 

Ä  People start to (avoid) you

 

 

SCRIPTURE TELLS US OUT OF CONTROL ANGER . . .

 

. . . causes (division) with others

 

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Proverbs 15:1

 

“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered.”

Proverbs 22:24

 

. . .  causes personal (pride)

 

“A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.”

Proverbs 29:11

 

. . .  is not (productive)

 

“My dear brothers, take note of this:  Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”

James 1:19-20

 

. . . is (blinding)

 

“But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.”

I John 2:11

 

 

DEALING WITH OUT OF CONTROL ANGER

 

Start off by figuring out (where) it’s coming from

 

“(Love) is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”

I Corinthians 13:5

                  

v  Go to the (source) of the problem and seek to make amends

 

“Make every effort to live in peace with all men . . . See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”

Hebrews 12:14-15

 

v  Do it (now) before it grows

 

“Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”

Ephesians 4:26b

 

v  Renew your (mind) and (heart)

 

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:2