Anger - A Weapon of Self-Destruction By Ade Adewolu

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In the rapidly changing world of today, it is not expedient for anybody to delight in anger or any form of temperamental feelings. Anger, in any form is a state of inability to control one's feeling of hurt. The Bible warns in the gospel according to St James that we should "Understand (this), my brethren, let every man be quick to hear (a ready listener), slow to speak, slow to take offence and to get angry. For man's anger does not promote the righteousness God (wishes and requires)." - James1: 19, 20 The Psalmist also warns that everyone should cease from anger and forsake wrath; fret not yourself - it tends only to evildoing. - Psalm 37: 8

With the attitude of human beings and our gross disobedience over the ages, if God were to deal with us as our sins deserve, we won't be here on this earth today. But the Lord our God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy and loving-kindness - (Psalm 103: 8). In the world of 'me,' 'me,' 'me,' it is very easy to offend and be offended.

The wisest man that ever lived advises that a soft answer in any situation turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger. - Proverbs 15: 1. Further on, we would observe that the most accomplished and intelligent people often have a good control over their anger. It is not surprising as it is said that "good sense makes a man restrain his anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression or an offence." - Proverbs 19: 11. The Preacher also encouraged that one should not be quick in spirit to be angry or vexed, for anger and vexation lodge in the bosom of fools. (Ecclesiastes 7: 9).

It is written, he who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is hasty of spirit express and exalts his folly. (Proverbs 14: 29) Ability to control one's anger is a measure of maturity in the natural sense of the word. On many occasions we go to a public place and see an irrational person heaping insults on a public officer or a customer service staff who seems not affected by the abuse or insults heaped on him or her. The fact that the insulted person has not responded diffuses the situation and is a measure of maturity and understanding. It takes the grace of God to be able to silently ignore the irritating behaviour of some people, but the word of God confirms that a hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger appeases contention (Proverbs 15: 18).

In his letter to the Ephesians, Apostle Paul warned that when angry a Christian should not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down. - Ephesians 4: 26 Looking at anger as an activity, one may be tempted to think - how can one live without anger? The answer is simple: If it can be determined that the sun must not go down with the anger and the anger is in line with the words of God - such as doing away with things that are against the instructions of God and not pretending about it. Standing up for justice as

much as it is within the ambits of the law of the land to do so, these are just some of the areas where being angry is not wrong, but it must be done with moderation.

On the whole, the bible warns that every believer must "put away and rid yourselves (completely) of all these things; anger, rage, bad feeling toward others, curses and slander, and foulmouthed abuse and shameful utterances from your lips." Colossians 3: 8

Finally, we must let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarrelling (brawling, clamour, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from our mouths, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind). Beyond this, we must also strive to become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tender-hearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another (readily and freely), as God in Christ forgave us. Ephesians 4: 31, 32

It may seem trivial, but uncontrolled anger has destroyed homes, destroyed people and even destroyed civilizations. When we as children of God are confronted with anger, it is best to pray for God's grace to overcome the temptation to go along with Satan's tricks.

ADE ADEWOLU

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