Anger is a God-given emotion. God made us people of feelings and emotions. We can have feelings of happiness, joy, sadness, fear, anxiety, anger, etc. Thoughts create feelings that create actions. If we live our lives to please the Lord, we will process our thoughts through God first. It’s being Holy Ghost controlled. Every thought must be filtered through God asking the question, “God, are you pleased with my thought and my feeling right now?” It must become an instantaneous response to all thoughts.
A thought or feeling is not sin – it is what we do with the thought and feeling. All of us get angry at times. At the moment we feel the anger rising because of something that happens, we must immediately process that anger through God. God tells us to be angry, but sin not. Learn to express your anger in a kind manner. God tells us to be kind one to another – this is a command. It’s not just when you feel good – it’s all the time.
I counsel adults who have deep emotional wounds because of parents who emotionally abused them with ugly anger in actions and words. I counsel angry people, teaching them their accountability to God and healing from the root of their anger. I counsel people who have been spiritually abused by a pastor who controls others with his anger.
None of us are above accountability to God. Pastors are to shepherd the flock with the love and kindness of God in all circumstances – speaking truth in love. Parents are to love and discipline their children as God loves and disciplines us. My father was a gentle shepherd of the church and a gentle father. He spoke truth, but always in a loving manner. Reacting with brash snarly anger is being ungodly. We must put off the old sinful nature and put on the Lord Jesus Christ. We all will account to God for every idle word. Lord, I want my tongue to be full of kindness.
(Note: The above article will be posted in the Perspectives April 2015 issue. I have limited space in the magazine. I will add a footnote to the subject of anger below.)
If you have constant problems with anger, you must search your heart for the root cause and forgive your offenders. Blaming your anger on others or constantly demeaning others with angry outbursts is a sin. We must allow the Fruit of the Spirit to flow through us – the Spirit does not allow hurtful anger. To be Holy Ghost controlled is to be God controlled. Our tongues reveal our hearts – from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Uncontrolled anger creates ‘death’ in relationship with God and others. Allow God to do exploratory surgery in your spiritual heart. Prayer: Create in me, O Lord, a clean heart and a right spirit!
Carol Clemans’ joy is teaching God’s Word for spiritual, emotional & relational growth for churches/conferences. She provides nationwide counseling by phone/Skype (636) 448-0121. Go to: www.carolclemans.org for bio, 130+ articles, teaching CD’s, DVD’s, book: GOD’S DESIGN FOR MARRIAGE.