Online Sermons
Lesson #2 - Slow To Anger
Series: Taming The TongueLesson #2 – Slow To Anger
1. What makes you boil?
Finish this sentence: “I am most tempted to get angry when other people _______________.”
A farmer was driving along a winding road and had to stop to avoid being hit by a woman who was coming around a curve on the wrongside of the road. Before he could yell at her, she stuck her head out the window and shouted, “Pig!”. Furious, he yelled back, “Old Sow!” and began driving on. Rounding the curve he slammed on his brakes. There in the middle of the road was the largest pig he’d ever seen.
Proverbs On Anger
14:29 / He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exhalts folly.
15:1 / A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
19:11 / A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression .
22:24/ Do not associate with a man given to anger; or go with a hot-tempered man
29:11 / A fool always loses his temper, but a wise man holds it back
cf. Prov.12:16; 14:16; 15:18; 16:32; 17:27; 25:28 & 29:22 and Eccl.7:9
Is anger just a manly problem? Cf. Prov.21:9 & 19; 25:14 and 27:15
2. How can people tell when you’re angry?
Check one or more:
___ a. I get very quiet/sulk ___e. I turn red/purple
___ b. I speak loudly/yell ___ f. I count to ten
___ c. I start throwing things ___ g. I walk away to cool down
___ d. I say things I shouldn’t ___ h. I do some work/vent
3. Did Jesus ever get angry? – cf. Mt.21:12-13 and Mk.3:1-5 & Jn.2:19-20
Is there such a thing as righteous indignation?
Didn’t Jesus teach us to love our enemies? – cf. Lk.6:27-29
Is getting mad always bad? Are there times when it is not only right to be angry, but wrong not to be?
Can one be angry and yet not sin? – cf. Eph.4:26
What does it mean - - do not let the sun go down on your wrath?
Can one learn to become slow to anger? – cf. Js.1:19-20
Is it not our ultimate goal to purse peace with all men? – cf. Heb.12:14-15
4. Discuss various approaches to anger management.
Accept it? – While it may be okay to agree to disagree, constant anger is not healthy.
Prevent It! – Nah.1:3 and Js.1:19 / try to de-escalate potential conflicts.
Nurse it? – cf. Gen.4:3-8 (Cain) and Heb.12:15 (Esau) / keeping a list of wrongdoings is not advisable.
Suppress it? – Prov.29:11 / one can learn to hold back and harness anger.
Counteract it! – Rom.12:19-21 / seeking to overcome evil with good.
Repress it? – “Bury it and it may bury you!” … “When I repress my emotions, my stomach keeps score!”
Express it! – Vent it in a wholesome way! – Eph.4:26
Confess it! – 1Jn.1:9 / “I’m sorry I got heated…” / Seek God’s forgiveness.
5. Does un-controlled anger take a toll?
Broken marriages…Destroyed friendships…Divided churches…Lost jobs…Psychosomatic illnesses…Societal mayhem & murder.
