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Biblical
references in Gahanna-Jefferson Church of Christ's nondenominational sermon
outlines are linked directly to text of the King James version of the Bible.
Bible quotes you hear in the streaming audio may be from the New King James
version of the Bible.
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Introduction.
1. In James 1:19-20 we find a trio of graces.
a. Swift to hear.
b. Slow to speak.
c. Slow to wrath.
2. From the context, it appears that these admonitions are given in regards to
our reception of the Word of God -
James 1:18, 21
a. They are qualities needed especially in times of trial when we need most the
Word of God.
b. We need to humbly and calmly be receptive to what the Word of God has to say.
3. In this lesson, I wish to concentrate our attention on the third admonition:
slow to wrath.
a. Especially in view of
vs. 20: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of
God.
b. And also because wrath (and its close cousin anger) are too often excused as
minor sins.
Body.
I. AN OVERALL LOOK AT ANGER AND WRATH.
A. Defining anger and wrath.
1. Anger - (Greek, orge)
a. Indignation which has arisen gradually and become more settled.
b. Orge suggests a more settled or abiding condition of mind, frequently with a
view to taking revenge.
c. Anger, then, is a lingering, seething emotion.
2. Wrath - (Greek, thumos)
a. The sudden outburst of passionate anger.
b. The blaze of temper which flares into violent words and deeds, and just as
quickly dies.
c. Today we would call this blowing off steam.
B. The Old Testament says much about anger and wrath.
1. In Psalms: Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret — it only causes
harm - Psalms 37:8
2. In Proverbs:
a. A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of wicked intentions is hated.
Proverbs 14:17
b. He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive
exalts folly. Proverbs 14:29
c. A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays
contention. Proverbs 15:18
d. He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his
spirit than he who takes a city.
Proverbs 16:32
e. A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; For if you rescue him, you will
have to do it again.
Proverbs 19:19
f. Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman. -
Proverbs 21:19
g. Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go, Lest
you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul.
Proverbs 22:24-25
3. In Ecclesiastes: Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in
the bosom of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:9
C. The New Testament also says much against anger and wrath.
1. To the brethren in Rome, Paul wrote: Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but
rather give place to wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,
says the Lord.
Romans 12:19
2. It is included with those things Paul lists as the works of the flesh in
Galatians 5:19-21
3. To the Ephesians Paul writes: Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and
evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
Ephesians 4:31
4. In a similar vein to the Colossians: But now you yourselves are to put off
all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
Colossians 3:8
D. Having said all that, we must also note that:
1. Paul seems to concede that there is a place for a certain kind of anger: Be
angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath -
Ephesians
4:26
2. On several occasions Jesus expressed anger:
a. Towards the money changers in the temple -
John 2:13-17
b. Towards the hypocritical scribes and Pharisees -
Matthew 23:13-36
3. In both testaments, God is presented as a God of anger as well as a God of
love.
4. How do we then reconcile those passages which demand that anger and wrath is
folly and something to be put away, with those that speak of anger on the part
of God, Christ and even the Christian?
II. A CLOSER LOOK AT ANGER AND WRATH.
A. Concerning the anger of God:
1. God’s anger is always a just reaction to evil as clearly pointed out in
Romans 1:18-2:11.
a. Being Divine, and all-knowing, His wrath is never misguided.
b. He is therefore capable of properly directing anger and wrath.
2. Man, with his imperfections, is not so capable!
a. His anger is often misguided (through ignorance, misunderstanding, etc.)
b. Haven’t we ever been angry about something, later regretting it when we
realize we were in error?
3. Therefore, just because God may display wrath and anger, this does not
necessarily justify man doing so!
B. Concerning the anger of Christ:
1. What has already been said of God could also be said of Christ.
a. Especially in light of His ability to read the hearts of men -
John 2:24-25
b. With such divine knowledge, He could not mistakenly direct wrath and anger.
2. Also, in the examples of His anger...
a. There is nothing of self-interest.
b. Only holy anger against unrighteousness which is abhorrent to God.
3. He was angry, but only for God’s honor!
a. When personally abused, He said nothing -
1 Peter 2:21-23
b. But when it was against God, He displayed righteous anger.
4. Again, man with his imperfections often uses anger improperly.
a. For example:
1) We remain silent when sin is exalted and God is dishonored.
2) But then get angry when someone offends us personally!
b. Too often, therefore, what we justify as righteous indignation is really
self-righteous indignation!
1. Whatever our interpretation, it needs to be in harmony with the context.
2. Especially with what Paul writes just a few verses later -
Ephesians 4:31
3. This passage, rather than justifying anger, is directing us how to deal with
it when it arises in our heart:
a. First, Do not sin.
1) The emotion must be controlled.
2) Don’t allow it to manifest itself in a sinful way.
3) Such as saying or doing something that is wrong.
b. Then, Do not let the sun go down on your wrath.
1) The emotion must be dispelled before nightfall.
2) Otherwise, we may be giving Satan ample opportunity to tempt us to sin -
Ephesians 4:27
4. In view of what Paul actually says in
Ephesians 4:26 and then later in
Ephesians 4:31, it seems unlikely that he is justifying anger and wrath.
Conclusion.
1. Concerning the subject of anger and wrath, we would do well to take James’
admonition to heart and to be slow to wrath:
a. For though the wrath of God may on occasions accomplish the righteousness of
God.
b. It is clearly stated that the wrath of man does not! -
James 1:20
2. Following the example of Christ, there may be a place for anger, but if so,
only in things pertaining to the honor and will of God!
3. In all other things, we would do well to remember another admonition
2
Timothy 2:24-26.
Don Treadway,
03/21/2004 |
