In marriage, anger rivals lust as a
killer. My guess is that anger is a worse enemy than lust. It also
destroys other kinds of camaraderie. Some people have more anger
than they think, because it has disguises. When willpower
hinders rage, anger smolders beneath the surface, and the teeth of
the soul grind with frustration. It can come out in tears that look
more like hurt. But the heart has learned that this may be the only
way to hurt back. It may come out as silence because we have
resolved not to fight. It may show up in picky criticism and
relentless correction. It may strike out at persons that have
nothing to do with its origin. It will often feel warranted by the
wrongness of the cause. After all, Jesus got angry (Mark 3:5), and
Paul says, "Be angry and do not sin" (Ephesians 4:26).

However, good anger among fallen people is rare. That's why
James says, "Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to
anger; for the anger of man does not produce the
righteousness of God" (James 1:19-20). And Paul says, "Men
should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or
quarreling" (1 Timothy 2:8). "Let all bitterness and wrath and
anger and clamor and slander be put away from
you" (Ephesians 4:31).

Therefore, one of the greatest battles of life is the battle to
"put away anger," not just control its expressions. To help you
fight this battle, here are nine biblical weapons.

1. Ponder the rights of Christ to be angry, but how he endured
the cross, as an example of long-suffering.

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered
for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his
steps. (1 Peter 2:21)

2. Ponder how much you have been forgiven, and how much mercy
you have been shown.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as
God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)

3. Ponder your own sinfulness and take the beam out of your own
eye.

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do
not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to
your brother, "Let me take the speck out of your eye," when there
is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out
of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck
out of your brother's eye. (Matthew 7:3-5)

4. Think about how you do not want to give place to the devil,
because harbored anger is the one thing the Bible explicitly says
opens a door and invites him in.

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your
anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. (Ephesians
4:26-27)

5. Ponder the folly of your own self-immolation, that is,
numerous detrimental effects of anger to the one who is angry -
some spiritual, some mental, some physical, and some
relational.

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from
evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your
bones. (Proverbs 3:7-8)

6. Confess your sin of anger to some trusted friend as well and
as possible with the offender. This is a great healing act.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one
another, that you may be healed. (James 5:16)

7. Let your anger be the key to unlock the dungeons of pride
and self-pity in your heart and replace them with love.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not
arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not
irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but
rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all
things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians
13:4-7)

8. Remember that God is going to work it all for your good as
you trust in his future grace. Your offender is even doing you
good, if you will respond with love.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together
for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
(Romans 8:28)

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various
kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces
steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you
may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4)

9. Remember that God will vindicate your just cause and settle
all accounts better than you could. Either your offender will pay
in hell, or Christ has paid for him. Your payback would be double
jeopardy or an offence to the cross.

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of
God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the
Lord." (Romans 12:19)

When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he
suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting [his cause]
to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:23)

Fighting for joy and love with you,

Pastor John