Ten Conversations: How To Manage Anger
You must not have any other god but Me
You must not make for yourself an idol
You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God
Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy
Honor your father and mother
You must not murder
You must not commit adultery
You must not steal
You must not lie
You must not covet
Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (CEB) Now in light of all that, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you? Only this: to revere the Lord your God by walking in all His ways, by loving Him, by serving the Lord your God with all your heart and being, 13 and by keeping the Lord’s commandments and His regulations that I’m commanding you right now. It’s for your own good!
Exodus 20:13 (NLT) You must not murder.
Murder is “the deliberate and unauthorized taking of an innocent human life.”
Genesis 1:27 (ERV) So God created humans in His own image. He created them to be like Himself. He created them male and female.
Genesis 9:5-6 (NLT) And I will require the blood of anyone who takes another person’s life. If a wild animal kills a person, it must die. And anyone who murders a fellow human must die. 6 If anyone takes a human life, that person’s life will also be taken by human hands. For God made human beings in His own image.
Jeremiah 1:5 (NLT) I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as My prophet to the nations.
Psalm 139:13-18 (NLT) You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. 15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. 17 How precious are Your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! 18 I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!
Matthew 5:21-22 (NIV) “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
Proverbs 29:11, Stupid people express their anger openly, but sensible people are patient and hold it back.
Proverbs 14:29, Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.
Proverbs 22:24-25, Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered.
Ecclesiastes 7:9, Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
Psalm 37:8, Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.
James 1:20, Human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
Psalm 103:8, The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
“Anyone can be angry—that is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time for the right purpose and in the right way—that is not easy.”
—Aristotle
1. We need to admit our anger
“Some people think so little of themselves that they think they are always in the wrong; others are so proud because they think they are always right. We need a correct view of ourselves.”
Proverbs 15:1 (NLT) A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.
2. We need to deal with our anger immediately
Ephesians 4:26-27 (NLT) And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
3. We need to slow down
“Speak when you are angry, and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.”
4. We need to understand our anger
Genesis 4:6 (NLT) “Why are you so angry?”
Psalm 139:23 (NIV) Search me, O God, and know my heart…
5. We need to have an exchange
Colossians 3:8 (NLT) But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. …10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him. …12 Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.