CCES Devotionals: Anger

Ephesians 4:26-27
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

Anger is a God-given emotion that warns a person that something is wrong. You cannot stop the emotion from arising, but how you express your anger determines whether it is sinful or appropriate. The root causes of anger are: your personal worth has been attacked, your legitimate and essential needs have not been met, or your basic convictions of right and wrong have been violated.

This verse says anger is to be dealt with every day. When angry emotions accumulate they eventually explode in ways that hurt you and others. When anger is turned inward it may cause depression, resentment, bitterness and hard-heartedness - Hebrews 12:14-15. Anger also gives Satan a foothold in our soul. Anger is not listed as a fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23! As we give ourselves over to the Holy Spirit, He will help us to grow in self-control. The Holy Spirit can teach us how to express our anger appropriately.

Ask the Lord to help you to put the following principles into practice:

  1. Admit that you are angry.
  2. Try to determine why you are angry.
  3. Ask yourself, "Is this the best way to express my anger?
  4. Spend time praying for the difficulty that you have in handling this emotion.
  5. Ask for God's help.
  6. Focus on forgiving others.

Go to the Bible and read Ephesians 4:29-32; Proverbs 22:24-25; 29:11,20, 22; Romans12:17-19; James 3:1-18; James 1:19-21.

By Elaine Olson

Related articles and devotionals:
What Do You Know About Anger?
Anger's Feast
How Are You Handling Anger?
Using Anger to Help You

Read devotionals from CCES.

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