Overcoming the Spirit of Anger – Galatians 5:19-23

Galatians 5:19-23

19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, + 20idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, + 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. + 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

WHAT IS ANGER?

  1. Anger is a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility.
  2. The bible tells us that outburst of anger is an expression of carnality (one of the works of flesh) Galatians 5:19-20.
  3. Anger is a window/door to demon entrance, a foot hold, a landing pad for demons in a life.
  4. Many people struggle in their life as a result of anger.

COMMON CAUSES

  • Provocation
  • Frustration
  • Disappointment or feeling as if one’s opinion or efforts are not appreciated,
  • and injustice to others or to you.

IS ANGER A SIN?

Ephesians 4:26-27

+ 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27for anger gives a foothold to the devil. 28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. + 29Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. + 30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. + 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. + 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

SOME BIBLICAL CHARACTERS RELATED TO ANGER:

1. MOSES – Numbers 20:1-5, 10-13

Numbers 20:1-5

1 In the first month of the year, the whole community of Israel arrived in the wilderness of Zin and camped at Kadesh. While they were there, Miriam died and was buried. + 2There was no water for the people to drink at that place, so they rebelled against Moses and Aaron. + 3 The people blamed Moses and said, “If only we had died in the LORD’s presence with our brothers! + 4Why have you brought the congregation of the LORD’s people into this wilderness to die, along with all our livestock? 5Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us here to this terrible place? This land has no grain, no figs, no grapes, no pomegranates, and no water to drink!”

Numbers 20: 7-13

Moses was a great leader, chosen to lead the Israelites to the promise land to the promise land.

7and the LORD said to Moses, 8“ You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.” + 9So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the LORD. 10Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” 11Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill. + 12 But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!” + 13This place was known as the waters of Meribah (which means “arguing”)

Moses was provoked by the Israelites to disobey God by striking the rock instead of speaking to the rock.

You meant good for others but they totally were not appreciative.

Consequence/the cost of uncontrolled anger: Moses did not get into the promised land – Number 20:12.

2. KING UZZIAH – 2 Chronicle 26: 16 – 21

Let us see the case of King Uzziah in 2 Chronicle 26: 16 – 21

16 But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall. He sinned against the LORD his God by entering the sanctuary of the LORD’s Temple and personally burning incense on the incense altar. + 17 Azariah the high priest went in after him with eighty other priests of the LORD, all brave men. + 18They confronted King Uzziah and said, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD. That is the work of the priests alone, the descendants of Aaron who are set apart for this work. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have sinned. The LORD God will not honor you for this!” + 19Uzziah, who was holding an incense burner, became furious. But as he was standing there raging at the priests before the incense altar in the LORD’s Temple, leprosy suddenly broke out on his forehead. + 20When Azariah the high priest and all the other priests saw the leprosy; they rushed him out. And the king himself was eager to get out because the LORD had struck him. 21 So King Uzziah had leprosy until the day he died. He lived in isolation in a separate house, for he was excluded from the Temple of the LORD. His son Jotham was put in charge of the royal palace, and he governed the people of the land.

Comments:

  • We are never closer to failure than during our greatest successes. If we fail to recognize God’s part in our achievements, they are no better than failures.
  • Uzziah was a remarkably successful king.
  • His achievements brought him fame. He was successful in war and peace, in planning and execution, in building and planting.
  • But Uzziah overestimated his own importance in bringing about the great achievements he experienced.
  • He did so many things well that a consuming pride gradually invaded his life like the leprous disease that finally destroyed his body.
  • In trying to act like a priest, he took on a role that God did not mean for him to have.

Do you feel offended when you are whether rightfully or wrongfully corrected?

Consequence/the cost of uncontrolled anger: Uzziah became a leper – 2 Chronicle 26:19-21.

Several relationships including marriages are broken/torn apart because of Anger.

3. JESUS – John 2:13-16 Jesus Clears the Temple

13 It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. + 14 In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money. 15 Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. 16Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”

Comment: 2: 15-16  

  • Jesus was obviously angry at the merchants who were exploiting those who had come to God’s house to worship.
  • There is a difference between uncontrolled rage and righteous indignation— yet both are called anger. We must be very careful how we use the powerful emotion of anger.
  • It is right to be angry about injustice and sin; it is wrong to be angry over trivial personal offenses.

2: 15-16  

Jesus made a whip and chased out the money changers. Does his example permit us to use violence against wrongdoers? Certain authority is granted to some, but not to all.

For example, the authority to use weapons and restrain people is granted to police officers, but not to the general public.

The authority to imprison people is granted to judges, but not to individual citizens.

Jesus had God’s authority, something we cannot have.

While we want to live like Jesus, we should never try to claim his authority where it has not been given to us.

CONTROLLING/OVERCOMING ANGER

  1. A complete fruit of the Holy Spirit is an antidote to anger particularly temperance (self-control).

Galatians 5:19-23

19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, + 20idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, + 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. + 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

  • Self-control is one of the fruit of the Spirit according to Galatians 5:22-23. The more we are submitted to the influence of the Holy Spirit the less we are going to ever be out of control in anger.
  • The time to deal with anger is now! Anger is a gateway of demons into people’s life!!!
  • Proverbs 25:28 – Like a city whose walls are broken is a person who lacks self-control.

Here are some steps to help you deal with your selfish desires:

1. Admit that you have a selfish, sinful nature— don’t be too shocked or too proud to acknowledge it. 2. Surrender all your bad tendencies to Christ and ask God to do whatever is necessary to set you free. 3. Commit your actions, thoughts, passions, and capabilities to Christ, asking the Spirit to help you restrain your evil desires and angry reactions.

CONCLUSION: Uncontrol Anger is sinful, the consequences are obvious, deal with it now.

James 1:20 says, “20Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.” Anger is destructive, put it away before it destroys you. Don’t let it rule over you.

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