I recently listened to a message by Tim Keller on anger. It was so helpful to me as I knew I wasn't satisfied with some Christian's beliefs that anger is always wrong. This message brought clarity and definition. Here is a link for the message in it's entirety. http://sermons2.redeemer.com/sermons/forgiving-and-forgiven
This post will just be notes that were significant to me from the message.
In Mark 3:5, we see Jesus becoming angry and sorrowful at the stubborn hearts of the people. Thus He reaches out and heals the man's hand.
Here we see anger that is appropriate and that is used for good.
We often feel anger is not Christian. Therefore we may try to cover it up. We may say we are depressed or worried when really we are angry. But, there is no emotion that is wrong in itself. Our emotions can go bad, but they are not essentially wrong. Like concern is good....but it's gone bad when it gets to worry.
The Bible even says to "Be angry". This indicates that there are times when it's wrong not to be angry and that anger can be required.
There is a sinful anger. This can take the form of :
1) Bitterness
2)Blowing up with rage, brawling, slander
3)Clamming up
Blowing up tears other people up. Clamming up tears you up.
When we are angry, we are either attacking something or defending something. It is important to ask, "What are we attacking?" and "What are we defending?" Don't attack or defend the wrong thing. We need to be aggressive to the problem, not to people. Anger is to be used and directed in a constructive manner. Redirect your anger toward the problem.
Keller used the example of a father who is so looking forward to a quiet time when he gets home from work, and his children know it. His children get rowdy and disruptive of his quiet time. If he gets angry at them and tries to make them feel really bad by demeaning them then he is using his anger in a wrong way. He should direct his anger toward any sin of insensitivity that they may have and instruct them in how to act.
Bitterness is wrong and can be defined as wanting evil things to happen to others to punish them for their errors. Bitterness imprisons you and contradicts the behavior of Christ toward us.
God is angry without ill will. This doesn't mean He doesn't bring judgement, but He most loves to bring people to restoration with Him and to bless them.
Living without bitterness and improper anger is not easy. Obedience is hard. Disobedience is impossible.
Forgiveness is powerful and is a natural byproduct of being forgiven.
Some won't accept forgiveness from God because their pride wants to earn their forgiveness. It is a gift!
This post will just be notes that were significant to me from the message.
In Mark 3:5, we see Jesus becoming angry and sorrowful at the stubborn hearts of the people. Thus He reaches out and heals the man's hand.
Here we see anger that is appropriate and that is used for good.
We often feel anger is not Christian. Therefore we may try to cover it up. We may say we are depressed or worried when really we are angry. But, there is no emotion that is wrong in itself. Our emotions can go bad, but they are not essentially wrong. Like concern is good....but it's gone bad when it gets to worry.
The Bible even says to "Be angry". This indicates that there are times when it's wrong not to be angry and that anger can be required.
There is a sinful anger. This can take the form of :
1) Bitterness
2)Blowing up with rage, brawling, slander
3)Clamming up
Blowing up tears other people up. Clamming up tears you up.
When we are angry, we are either attacking something or defending something. It is important to ask, "What are we attacking?" and "What are we defending?" Don't attack or defend the wrong thing. We need to be aggressive to the problem, not to people. Anger is to be used and directed in a constructive manner. Redirect your anger toward the problem.
Keller used the example of a father who is so looking forward to a quiet time when he gets home from work, and his children know it. His children get rowdy and disruptive of his quiet time. If he gets angry at them and tries to make them feel really bad by demeaning them then he is using his anger in a wrong way. He should direct his anger toward any sin of insensitivity that they may have and instruct them in how to act.
Bitterness is wrong and can be defined as wanting evil things to happen to others to punish them for their errors. Bitterness imprisons you and contradicts the behavior of Christ toward us.
God is angry without ill will. This doesn't mean He doesn't bring judgement, but He most loves to bring people to restoration with Him and to bless them.
Living without bitterness and improper anger is not easy. Obedience is hard. Disobedience is impossible.
Forgiveness is powerful and is a natural byproduct of being forgiven.
Some won't accept forgiveness from God because their pride wants to earn their forgiveness. It is a gift!
This is good! I do have a question, though: what do you mean by "Disobedience is impossible" toward the end of your post? I'm a little confused by that.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good question! Pastor Keller said that disobedience always leads to impossible situations. He doesn't mean we can't disobey, but it just complicates things further.
DeleteOkay, that makes more sense. :)
Delete