Anger

The first place anger seems to rear its ugly head is in Genesis 4. Most know the story of Cain and Abel, the first sons born to Adam and Eve. Abel's offering was accepted by God and Cain's wasn't. God warned Cain, but Cain didn't respond well. He couldn't get revenge on God, but Abel was another matter. Abel joined Cain in a field, and Cain murdered him. That's what anger can lead to.

God is characterized many times as slow to anger, as well as gracious and compassionate, abounding in lovingkindness and truth. Slow to anger does not mean He will not judge. As Nahum 1:3 makes clear: "The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished."

Those who respond in anger will find these passages directed to them:

Psalm 37:8: "Cease from anger and forsake wrath; do not fret; it leads only to evildoing."

Proverbs 14:29: "He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly."

Proverbs 15:18: "A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but the slow to anger calms a dispute."

Proverbs 16:32: "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city."

Proverbs 19:11: "A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression."

James 1:19-20: "This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God."

In Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus tells His listeners, "You have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER,' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell."

How can we respond when we are the subject of someone else's anger? Here are some passages to use in those times:

Romans 12:14-21: "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of  the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, as far as depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, 'VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,' says the Lord, 'BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Ephesians 4:31: "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice."

How can we? Hebrews 12 includes these instructions: "For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.... Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled." (verses 3, 14-15).

Jesus is both our example and our source of strength in this, as in all other difficulties we face in this life.

We need to plead with the Holy Spirit to enable us to be like Christ when we suffer for doing what is right.

"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. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth. When He was reviled, He did not revile in  return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly" (1 Peter 2:21-23).