What are we to do with this anger that we feel building up inside of us? Obviously, God wants us to deal with it in a Biblical manner, or He would not have given us: Ephesians 4:26 “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”
Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, so then God has provided a way for us to be angry without sinning. Let’s look at some of the things we can do to manage this emotion. First the verse tells us that we should deal with the anger as soon as possible. Don’t wait and let the spark smolder into a burning, raging fire. Verse 31 of the same chapter tells us to, get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, we must not let it linger in our hearts or minds. We should address the situation in an honest (and controlled) way.
15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. Ephesians 4:15.
People are not mind readers and they may not even fully comprehend the offense. We must, in love, address what has occurred. Also, we must stay focused on the issue and not let it become a personal attack. Attack the problem NOT the person.
29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Remember that our flesh is sinful by its very nature and our first impulse may very well be a sinful one. We must speak in love and gentleness.32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Forgive the other person even before you confront the issue. (for help with forgiveness look at what I have written on the topic). These thoughts that we have, i.e. anger in this case must be controlled.
Romans 6:12 Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires
Job 11:14 Get rid of your sins and leave all iniquity behind you.
2 Cor. 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ
We are to take these thoughts under control and make them obedient to our Lord. This means we cannot dwell on the offense that hurt us, just as God chooses not to remember our sins, we also must choose not to remember how others have sinned against us. Ephesians 4:31 tell us that we cannot even leave a little piece of hurt or anger inside of us, but we must get rid of all of it. Anything you let remain will grow. Do not give opportunity to Satan, don’t open the door even an inch to temptation.
James 1:14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Galatians 5:16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Our victory over anger and all other sins can come only through Christ. Just as He has overcome the world it is in the Spirit that we have strength to overcome. So, brothers and sisters let us walk in the Spirit each day.
Anchor In The Storm 