What's the Big Deal with Anger?

Happy Sunday. Would you agree that anger is a problem in our society? Of course you would. I'm amazed at the stories that I hear. Road rage leads to Fist fites and even murder.

Protests turn into violence. It seems like some people are ready to fight at the drop of a hat. Today, as we continue looking at The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus has has words that our world desperately needs to hear today. I'll read from Matthew 5: 21- 26.

Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder,' and 'Whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you'll be liable to judge judgement, and if you insult a brother or sister, you'll be liable to the counsel, and if you say, 'raika,' or 'you fool,' you'll be liable to the hell of fire."

Jesus continues: "So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or your sister has something against you, leave your gift there right before the Altar and go. First be Recon iled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you're on the way to court with him, or your accuser May hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you'll be thrown into prison." In verse 26 there, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have had have paid the last penny."

It's likely that when the disciples heard Jesus talking about murder, that they thought that they could relax. After all, none of them were guilty of breaking the sixth Commandment, that thou shalt not kill. As Jesus continued, the disciples heard Jesus say that our thoughts can be just as bad. This had to be shocking to hear.

Remember those words. Jesus said, "But I say to you that if you're angry with your brother or sister, you'll be liable to judgment, and if you insult a brother or sister, you'll be liable to the counsel, and if you say, 'raika,' or 'you fool,' you'll be liable to the hell of fire." Jesus gets right to the heart of the matter. Our thoughts run our life.

If we look at others with anger, and if we're willing to verly assault someone, we're in trouble. Now, this gets personal, doesn't it? When Jesus uses the words "raika" and "fool," we're not off the hook if those are not in our vocabulary. Raika is a word I don't use, but it means empty-headed. So if we call someone an idiot (guilty) or a dummy (I've been call called others that), or a... guilty, we're all in trouble.

The word "fool" is still used today. It talks about one's character or heart. So if we call someone a SC scoundrel or a... or an Infidel, you can fill in the blank with your choice of words. If we demean others in that way, we need to stop.

Our thoughts and our words are so important. As we grow in Christ, they should change for the better. Jesus goes on to say that is... it is important to make amends. Excuse me. If you've hurt someone, you should make an effort to set things right.

The question comes: is it ever okay to be angry? Ephesians 4:26 and 27 help shine light on some of this. We're told there, "Be angry but do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil." How can we do that? How can we be angry and not sin?

Here are a few thoughts. Keep your mouth shut. For some of us, that is difficult. However, keeping our thoughts and our opinions to ourselves would a lot of trouble. One of the best ways to not sin when something makes us angry is to pray. That will change the situation.

I remember several years back, Jeanie and I were in Boston. We were in the subway, a subway station, waiting on a train. I felt like I was on another planet. The crowd was very different from what I had known. I was scared. I wanted a machine gun for protection.

And as I looked back, I missed a perfect opportunity to pray for all of God's children. That comes with maturity. I rarely honk my horn in traffic anymore. Instead, I just pray for a safe trip. My, how our thoughts matter.

Pray with me. Lord, thank you for your word and how it challenges us. It is likely we've not murdered, but it is likely all of us have had thoughts towards someone that we shouldn't have. Help us to show love like you showed this world, and help us to do it all the time. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

God bless you. Thanks for joining me today.