"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE DEALING WITH ANGER AND BITTERNESS"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE DEALING WITH ANGER AND BITTERNESS"

Eph 4:26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath,

Heb 12:15  looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;

Prov 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;

Prov 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

Some explanatory thoughts and application:

1. Anger, is not in and of itself a sin, but, it can lead you to sin. Thus, in Eph 4:26, it's teaching us "do not sin" That is, if you are angry, be careful that it does not lead you to sin.

2. Anger, that is not sinful is a normal reaction in certain times, and in certain circumstances. Even Christ Himself was angry over the misuse of the temple, when those serving the people were taking advantage of the people. 

3. One other thing about anger, is to try and find God's peace before you go to bed. Do not go to bed angry, because you will most likely wake up angrier then when you went to bed, and that can lead to real sin and trouble.

4. Bitterness, is something we are to be careful to avoid. See Heb 12:15 above for an explanation as to why. But, what is bitterness? The word itself means, gall, or a bitter root, that produces bitter fruit. Hatred is included in the meaning of bitterness. 

5. Here is some comfort, and direction when angry and dealing with bitterness, or trying not to let your anger lead you to sin, and when you are trying to stay away from being bitter. See Prov 3:5-6

Here's how it reads in the NLT  

Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

Prov 3:6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.

This version is pretty similar to the NKJV, but, you will notice the word depend, in verse 5, and you will notice the word seek in.

Verse 6. Depend on God in your times of dealing with anger and bitterness, and seek the will of God in these times, and the Lord will direct your paths. 

Do you know what the word "direct" means?. It means, straight, right, fitted, good, level, be smooth. to do straight. It's the picture of the Lord making the road ahead easier to travel on. He will show you how to walk, and where to walk, and He will make it easier to walk on that road. He will smooth the road out. 

A prayer:

Lord, You know what it's like to be a human being and to experience many things that make us angry, and can lead us to become bitter and resentful and really ruin our lives, and the lives of others. Would You please help us to take the Word of God in these Scriptures to heart and let them dwell in us deeply, and that we might respond to them and find You helping us. Thank You Father.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia