Sunday School Lesson Outlines

God Verses Anger

Whatever the need of the moment, the answer is always found in Scripture. When we take time to search for it: whatever you're experiencing or hoping for, the Bible has something to say about it. Scripture is meant to be a handy reference and also a tool for guidance. Personal study is the best way for grasping the great truths in Scripture to help us in our everyday life and out of the ordinary situations. The Bible is God's road map for your life. It will not only give you the strength to accept whatever you are struggling with, but the wisdom and power to overcome and live the abundant life He promised us.

Let's take ANGER - this is one area of my life I have to continually seek out His guidance. He teaches me to hold my tongue, to have unconditional love, and to have a forgiving spirit. He also teaches me to not make matters worse and to realize that I don't see the big picture. So I better leave things up to Him to handle (in his time) that's the hard part.

William Shakespeare once quoted "Heat not the furnace for your foe so hot, That it does singe yourself." This is often what happens when we take matters into our own hands, or overreact - harboring ill feelings, refusing to forgive, boiling inside with feelings of anger.

Here are some Scriptures to look up, and ponder when dealing with anger:

• Nehemiah 9:17 A God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness. (NASB)
  
  
• Psalm 145:8 The Lord is gracious and merciful; Slow to anger and great in lovingkindness. (NASB)
  
  
• Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. (NASB)
  
  • Wow - This speaks volumes if you meditate on it.
  
  
• Ephesians 4:26- Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. (NASB)
  
  • Lay it at the cross and leave it there.
  
  
• Psalm 30:5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But shout of joy comes in the morning. (NASB)
  
  • Think about it - this is a promise of what happens If we turn it over to God.
  
  
• James 1:19-20 This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. (NASB)
  
  • A sin
  
  

Ever wonder why you think your prayers are not being heard? If we are not being righteous or doing the righteous things of God - is it us that has moved away from his presence and comfort? God tells us that He will never leave us. God compares anger to evil, foolishness, and a transgression (sin).

He tries to warn us of this emotion, and that we must keep it under control. Look at these verses:

• Proverbs 29:22 An angry man stirs up strife, And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression (NASB)
  
  • Anger is sin. Reflect on how to apply this proverb to your life.
  
  
• Psalm 30:5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning. (NASB)
  
  • Think about it - this is a promise of what happens if we turn our challenges over to God.
  
  
• Proverbs 22:24-25 Do not associate with a man given to anger; Or go with a hot-tempered man, Lest you learn his ways, And find a snare for yourself. (NASB)
  
  • Now that's a straight forward warning that applies to the modern days we live in, without question.
  
  
• Psalm 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret, it leads only to evildoing. (NASB)
  
  • Anger is evil
  
  
• Ecclesiastes 7:9 Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools. (NASB)
  
  • Anger is foolish
  
  
• Proverbs 14:17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of evil devices is hated. (NASB)
  

Remember the verse ... vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.? This is in the book of Romans. Read on a little further and you will see a blessing, a reward, (or "an atta boy" from God) in learning to handle this anger thing correctly.

• Romans 12:17-21 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. "But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (NASB)
  
  • Powerful, don't you think?
  
  

A similar verse exists in the Old Testament:

• Proverbs 25:21-22 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the Lord will reward you. (NASB)
  

We need to have the faith of the size of a mustard seed, and believe that God has it all under control: He sees all and knows all; and nothing will go unjudged. So sit back and watch God work. It's amazing, because He is an awesome God.

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