Lessons for Life with James Long, Jr.
Are you longing to find answers to the deeper issues of life? Join James, a pastor, counselor, and university professor with over 30 years of experience. Hear James as he tackles some of life's biggest questions and helps us find God's solutions to life's struggles. Learn the power of living by God's grace and for His glory. Experience the joy of forgiveness and freedom found in Jesus Christ alone. If you are on a search for freedom, you will love being part of this conversation. Subscribe, and enjoy the show!
Lessons for Life with James Long, Jr.
Why You Must Deal with Sinful Anger
Join us as we dissect the spiritual ramifications of harboring anger, bitterness, and malice, and explore how these emotions can grieve the Holy Spirit and distort our witness. Through scriptural reflections from Ephesians and James, we delve into how surrendering our anger to God allows us to reflect His righteousness and embody His love and peace. This episode encourages a journey of self-reflection, repentance, and a renewed commitment to living in holiness, urging us to confront sinful anger with love and reverence for God. As we wrap up this transformative series, we invite you to embrace the grace of the gospel and re-align your life with the peace and patience that God commands.
ABOUT JAMES AND LESSONS FOR LIFE
Are you longing to find answers to the deeper issues of life? Join Dr. James Long, Jr., a pastor, counselor, and university professor with over 30 years of experience. Hear James as he tackles some of life’s biggest questions and helps us find God’s solutions to life’s struggles. Learn the power of living by God’s grace and for His glory. Experience the joy of forgiveness and freedom found in Jesus Christ alone. If you are in search of freedom, you will love being part of this conversation. Subscribe, and enjoy the show!
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Hello everyone, it's James Long and welcome back to our final session. I can't believe this our final session in Uprooting Anger. It's been an incredible journey over the past several weeks as we've tackled this crucial issue from a biblical perspective. Today we gather for lesson number nine, which is amazing. We're going to finish strong by diving into the most important issue why we must deal with sinful anger. It's not optional for us as followers of Christ, and this is where we'll wrap up everything that we've learned into actionable steps. So this is going to be so important. So, as we move into this last lesson, I want you to take a look at the theme for today why you must deal with sinful anger. We're wrapping up this.
Speaker 1:Robert D Jones, study this excellent book Uprooting Anger. Hopefully you've purchased it and we've been providing. It's been providing us a biblical framework for understanding anger and addressing anger in a biblical way. Now this last lesson emphasizes the urgency of dealing with anger that is sinful in our lives, and it's not just about personal peace, but it's for the sake of the gospel, it's for the sake of the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. We reflect him in this world. So I want you to open your hearts and your minds today as we grow and align our lives with God's wisdom and purpose. I'm so glad that you're here as we conclude this series, and I'm so glad you're here to learn and grow with us. Let's jump into the lesson here. And before we do that, why don't we dive into trying to think about where we've been in the past? Now I want you to think about where we've been in these studies. Now, if you think about all the things that we've learned over the weeks that we've been together.
Speaker 1:I've given you a series of key points and maybe this will be helpful. These are foundational in dealing with this issue in a biblical way. First, we learned that anger is a whole person, negative reaction of a moral judgment against received wrong. Now, anger is not merely an emotion. It engages our thoughts, our wills and our behavior. The second thing we've learned is that we need to recognize that everyone has an anger problem. Now it may show up for you in different forms, whether it's explosive outbursts or simmering bitterness or quiet resentment. None of us is immune to it. That led us to the third thing that we've seen is that God calls us to uproot anger from our hearts. It's not something, simply, that we do in our own strength, but it's in full dependence on His forgiving grace and His empowering grace. These are so essential.
Speaker 1:The fourth thing I hopefully you've learned through this study is that we've discovered that there are specific strategies for change and that we address both the root causes of anger and its outward expressions. So many counseling strategies focus only on the outward expressions. The Bible tells us that our change is deeply rooted in the heart, and it's also deeply rooted in scripture, and it is guided by the wisdom of God. That leads us to. The final thing I want you to think about is this, and this is probably the most important that we have this marvelous and wonderful Redeemer, and we desperately need Him, and it's only through Christ that we can ever experience a heart of transformation, and it requires us to truly overcome sin by resting in Him. Now we need to hold on to these truths as we move forward today, because what they do is they provide a powerful foundation of why we must deal with sinful anger and how we can do so with God's help. Now let's transition today in today's lesson, and build on these foundational truths, and let's think about why we must deal with our sinful anger, which is so important. This is an important piece of the puzzle and as we move into this lesson, it's crucial to understand that dealing with sinful anger is not optional. I want you to explore the motivations behind this, and it's a command from God. The first, in a broad and sweeping sense we must deal with sinful anger because God commands us to.
Speaker 1:We've seen this passage multiple times in our study, but in Ephesians, chapter 4, verses 22 through 24 and verse 31,. If you remember, paul is exhorting us to put off our old sinful anger. Remember, he wants us to put all bitterness and wrath and anger and to put on a new self that reflects the likeness of Christ. And similarly, in Colossians, chapter 3, verses 5 through 8, we're called to put to death the things that are earthly within us, and it was anger and rage and malice. These are commands and they show us that sinful anger is not just something that we can tolerate or excuse. It is a direct affront to the holiness of God and he calls us to decisively and intentionally deal with it. We got to go against it.
Speaker 1:That leads to the second thing that God doesn't leave us unequipped for this task. Now, in Christ, he provides us all that we need to overcome sinful anger. It is through his spirit and his word that God equips us with the tools necessary for lasting transformation. You remember this passage. We've used it multiple times as well in Colossians, chapter 2, verse 9 through 10. It reminds us that in Christ we have been made complete and that he's the source of all our wisdom and all our power.
Speaker 1:And another passage we've used previously is in 2 Timothy, chapter 3, verse 16 through 17. And it urges us and it also assures us that scripture is sufficient for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting and training in righteousness. And I love this passage in 2 Peter, chapter 1, verse 3. It reminds us that his divine nature, his divine power, has given us everything that we need for life and godliness. It's through the knowledge of him. And so these truths, very honestly, should motivate us to take action against the sinful anger that we have, not out of fear, but out of love, out of reverence for God. And when we address sinful anger, we are obeying him, obeying his commandments, we're relying on his provision, but we're also trusting that he's the source of our strength and he's the sustainer of our transformation. So let's keep these motivations in mind as we explore practical ways for dealing with anger in our lives that go out of alignment of God's will, and how we can get back into alignment.
Speaker 1:Now God supplies us with compelling motives to deal with our anger, and so, as we dive into this, I want you to think about these three compelling motives. They give us what God has inspired us. He wants to inspire real, lasting change in your life, and the reasons aren't just theoretical. They touch the core of our very lives our physical and spiritual health, our relationships and our walk with God. That God, in his word, provides us with wisdom and clear direction for dealing with anger. Now, these reasons give us both the motivation and the practical understanding for approaching anger in a way that promotes peace and promotes growth and promotes obedience. Now, over the next several slides, we'll be breaking down these three reasons even more further and in deeper ways, and it will help us to understand the importance of how we are to apply these daily truths in our lives. And as we examine these reasons, I encourage you to reflect on how anger has impacted you in these areas of your life and how, god's grace, is a better path forward.
Speaker 1:So let's begin with the very first of these and the very first of these is that we are called to avoid injury and to promote well-being and our physical and spiritual health. I want you to see those. So this is a compelling reason. It's essential. We need to avoid the injuries, we need to avoid the struggles in our lives and we need to be focusing on well-being, both for our physical and spiritual life. Let's talk physically Now.
Speaker 1:We cannot ignore and we've talked about this the toll that anger does on our bodies physically Proverbs. Chapter 14, verse 29 through 30 says this whoever pull that up, whoever is slow to anger, has great understanding, but he who has hasty temper exalts folly. A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. Now, I love this passage because what it does is it's a passage that highlights the life-giving impact of self-control and destructive power, unchecked emotions in our lives. Anger can lead to physical manifestations of stress, headaches, high blood pressure and even more severe medical conditions. And when we allow anger to dominate our lives, it invites these physical harms to our body.
Speaker 1:Here's the second thing spiritual life. So just as anger affects us physically, spiritual life. So just as anger affects us physically, it can also affect us spiritually. In Psalm 66, verse 18, it says this If I have cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. Wow, harboring anger disrupts our fellowship with God, blocking the blessings of a vibrant relationship with Him. Additionally, in Matthew, chapter 5, verses 21 through 22, it challenges us to consider that spiritual consequences are there of anger that was not been dealt with. Remember, it says you've heard that it was said from those of old that you shall not murder and whoever murders will be liable to the judgment. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother is liable to the judgment. Now, I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother is liable to the judgment. Now, what this does is it shows that anger isn't just about a surface level issue. It's about a heart issue that impacts a wall with God.
Speaker 1:By addressing anger, we take active steps towards this holistic health, caring for both our physical bodies but also nurturing our spiritual connection with God, and this dual focus helps us to glorify God in all aspects of our lives, both physically and spiritually. That moves us to the second reason that the Bible gives us and that the study gives us is this that avoiding damage to and promoting growth in our interpersonal relationships. This is a powerful reason. The second reason is so important. Relationships are the central to how we live this life, and relationships are so vital. God has called us to be in relationship with him and also relationship with others. Relationships are the central of how we live at our faith and how we fulfill God's commandments.
Speaker 1:Anger, when it's left unchecked, has the potential to cause significant damage in our relationships and connections with others, and what it does is that if we don't address it, it creates problems, but by addressing it biblically, it promotes growth and healing in our lives and our relationships. The second thing is that avoiding damage. In Ephesians, chapter 4, which we already talked about in 26 and 27, and then again in verse 31, you remember it says be angry and do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger. But then you remember what it says Do not give the devil an opportunity. And in Ephesians 4, verse 31, it goes on to say all bitterness, wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. What we find is that anger, when it is left unchecked, creates an opportunity for the enemy, the devil, to sow discord and bitterness and division. And the longer we hold on to anger, the the deeper it wounds our relationships, be it with our family or friends or members of our community. Now, the third thing we see here is it promotes growth right On the positive side.
Speaker 1:Anger addressing anger in godly ways, can foster growth and harmony in our relationships. And we see that in Colossians. It tells us to be part of a new life, a new life in Christ, and when we do that, we're actively pursuing reconciliation. We a new life in Christ, and when we do that we're actively pursuing reconciliation. We're choosing to extend grace, and when we do that, what it does is it mirrors the character of God and it creates an environment where trust and love can flourish. Now I want you to imagine how much healthier our families, our friendships, our church communities would be if we practiced these principles regularly, and how often would things change so radically? And when we take the time to deal with anger biblically, we're not only able to prevent further harm, but we're also strengthening the bonds that matter most. They reflect on how God can actively protect and nurture relationships with him and also relationships with others.
Speaker 1:Well, let's move on to the third reason. The third reason is also important it avoids God's displeasure and brings honor and delight to him. This is so important because this is the third reason why, at its core, anger that is left unchecked displeases God because what it does is it misrepresents his character, it misrepresents him and we fall short of his design for our lives. However, as we address anger, we overcome sinful anger, we honor him and we delight in him and we reflect his grace, we reflect his righteousness in the world. Well, let's look first at avoiding displeasing God.
Speaker 1:We've already seen it in Ephesians, chapter 4, verse 30. We've seen this in our study. It reminds us of the weight of our actions in our relationship to God. It says Do not grieve the Holy Spirit by whom you were sealed on the day of redemption. So when we harbor anger, when we harbor bitterness or malice, we grieve the holy spirit. Our attitudes, our behaviors can disrupt our fellowship with god and as we do these things, it goes contrary to his nature of of love, of patience, of peace. In james, chapter 1, it further emphasizes this. It tells us that. I know this, my, my beloved brother, let anyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God One of the first verses I memorized when I memorized this book.
Speaker 1:And our human anger often arises from a self-centered motive and it rarely accomplishes God's purposes. Instead, when we allow anger to fester, we allow this to become almost cancerous in our relationships. We're called to reflect His righteousness. We're called to reflect His love, his patience, his goodness in our responses. Now that brings us to bringing Him honor and delight. On the positive side, dealing with our anger biblically honors God and it delightsights Him and it aligns our hearts with His will.
Speaker 1:In 1 Timothy 2, verse 8, it says I desire then that every place that men should pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or quarreling. So it's lifting up those holy hands that have been blessed by God and doing that without anger or quarreling in our lives. Now, when we do that, we're choosing to release anger and to pursue godly responses and we become vessels through which he can show his love and his peace and that can flow out of us. I often say God wants to work in you and then he wants to work through you, and this not only pleases him, but it also serves as a witness to others. And every time we surrender our anger to God, we declare our trust in his sovereignty and our willingness to follow his ways. It brings him delight because we're committing our lives to living as his children. We're guided by his word and spirit, and it affects our relationships with others.
Speaker 1:So I want you to take a moment to reflect. Are there areas in your life where unresolved anger might be grieving the spirit, and how can you honor God today by surrendering that anger today and choosing to respond with a way that reflects his character, his character of love and grace and peace? Now, as we move towards wrapping this lesson up, let's revisit the key motivations and strategies for dealing with anger. Each of these steps that we've discussed help us to live a life that is more fully aligned with God's will, experiencing the freedom and the joy that he offers us. So I want you to consider this quote here that, as we consider addressing sinful anger, I want you to see this that this point drives home the gravity of the impact that sinful anger can have in our lives. It dishonors God, it displeases Him and it offends Him.
Speaker 1:I know that this is not easy to see. It's not easy to read either, but this is not a small issue when we give in to sinful anger, we step outside of God's will and we misrepresent his character. God, in his holiness, calls us to be ambassadors of his love and his peace and his grace, but when we allow anger to control us instead, we're reflecting a distorted picture of who he is to those around us. Let's look at each one of these statements dishonoring the Lord. Sinful anger dishonors the Lord because it prioritizes our desires, our frustrations, our emotions above his commands and his character. And when we allow anger to dictate our words and our actions, we're essentially saying that our way, our will, our justice take precedence over God's sovereignty and righteousness. And then what you think about displeasing the Lord? We've already seen this that in Ephesians, chapter 4, verse 30, we're grieving the Holy Spirit.
Speaker 1:Our unrestrained anger displeases God because it disrupts our fellowship with Him and it stands in direct opposition to His character. The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and he calls us to reflect those same traits and characteristics in our relationships. And probably the worst of all is that last phrase. At worst, it is offending the Lord. We're directly challenging God's authority and his holiness. It's an offense against the one who has created us for his glory, because it reveals a heart that is not fully surrendered to him and, instead of submitting to his will, sinful anger clings to our pride, our selfishness, our lack of trust in his justice. But you see the cross here. The cross reminds us of what is at stake that Jesus bore the penalty for our sins and that includes our sinful anger so that we can live lives of holiness and peace. And every time we dishonor him through our anger, we lose sight of his grace, we lose sight of the cross, the grace that he's extended to us through the gospel. And as we reflect on this truth, let us ask ourselves these questions Is there anger in our lives that dishonor God? I want you to really think about that. Is there anger there in your life that is clearly not representing Him? Or have I allowed, or have we allowed, our emotions to take precedent over calls to glorify Him? See, today we can take the opportunity to turn back to God, to repent of that. We can seek his help in a way that brings honor to his name. So, as we close this final session, I want you to think about uprooting anger and I want you to take a moment to reflect on the journey that we've been on together Over these past several weeks.
Speaker 1:We've examined anger from every angle its root, its expression, its consequences, but, more importantly, the path to freedom through the person and work of Christ and through the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Anger, as we've seen it, is not just a passing emotion, it's whole person, do you remember? It's a reaction of our mind, our hearts, our wills to the perceived wrong. Now, while anger itself can be righteous when it aligns with God's purposes, sinful anger emerges when it is driven by our own desires or pride or unmet expectations. And the beauty of the gospel is this that it provides us both the opportunity to diagnose that sinful anger. But it also points us to the cure, his grace.
Speaker 1:And through this series we've uncovered a number of biblical truths. These biblical truths, I hope, have guided you and helped you. We've seen the importance of recognizing that anger is at its root and there are some causes that are there. It's not just the surface things that we do and that we've also explored, that God calls us to replace simple anger with words and actions that honor Him. And we've also seen how God's Spirit and His Word can equip us to live lives that are marked by peace and grace and Christlike love. But, as we conclude, let me remind you of this this is not the end of our journey.
Speaker 1:Uprooting anger is not just a one-time event, but it's a daily commitment to surrender our hearts to God, relying on His Spirit and trusting in His transformative power. And as you move forward, I encourage you to reflect on the lessons that we've learned and that we've uncovered, and I want you to revisit the scriptures that we've spoken about in our heart. Now, when you do that, I want you to also think about seeking accountability in your relationships, inviting a trusted friend or a family member to walk alongside you in this journey and, above all, remember that victory over anger is not about striving in your own strength, but what it is is about relying and leaning on the sufficiency of Christ's grace. As we conclude our session today, I want you to wrap up this transformative series on uprooting anger. I want you to think about this this is a journey, and this journey is one that has begun today and it will continue for the rest of your lives. I want to sincerely thank you for joining us on this journey. Over the last 10 weeks and over the past weeks, we've explored the root, the effect and the solutions of anger, and we've seen it through the lens of this wonderful book by Robert D Jones. So now I want you to think about this.
Speaker 1:I want you to consider that if you haven't been to my website, jameslongjrorg, you've missed a lot of resources. Actually, at the last count, I believe I have almost a thousand pieces of resources on the website, all for yours, completely free. I would love it if you would go to the website jameslongjrorg to explore more resources articles, videos. We even have courses there. Those will be charged, though, and there are opportunities to understand and to apply God's word. Now, if you want to join our membership or coaching program, which I've talked about before, you can gain a wealth of tools and a supportive community, but you also can get coaching with us. There is jameslongjrorg, and then you just hit slash join now. So, whether you're looking for weekly coaching or a comprehensive program like our Time for Change course, our membership levels are designed to meet you where you are spiritually and to help you grow personally. So, once again, if you want to explore those options, I would consider asking you to go to jameslongjrorg slash join now.
Speaker 1:I thank you for being a part of this study. May God bless you as you work through these things. I want to see how God works in your life and through your life. Let me pray for you as we close today. So, lord, I thank you for all that you are and all that you do.
Speaker 1:I thank you for your son, the Lord Jesus Christ. We thank you for the amazing blessing that he is. I thank you for the fact that you show us our sinful anger. You point us to the diagnosis of it, but then you point us to the cure. It's not about us, it's about your son, that it's in his work on the cross that we are forgiven. It's in his work on the cross that we are set free from sin. It's in his work on the cross that we are given a family in Christ and it's in his work on the cross that we have a future. I thank you for the empty tomb. That provides us hope that you've accepted his payment.
Speaker 1:Thank you for his ascension and the fact that he's enthroned. He's in heaven right now praying for us. So I pray that that would be an amazing thing that transforms our hearts and our minds. So bless us and keep us, Lord, make your face to shine upon us and be gracious to us, lift up your countenance upon us and grant us your peace In Jesus' matchless, holy and powerful name. We pray Amen. Well, thank you again for being with us. I pray that you would live a life of purpose, live for his grace and live for his glory. Take time to worship. Well, I pray that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends. Remind yourself of what Christ has done for you. Take care Until next time. Be blessed.
