INTRODUCTION

Anger is often viewed by others as a symbol of strength. From youth, men are taught that one’s strength and authority can be best conveyed through the use of anger. Yet, the Bible teaches that the manifestation of an ungodly anger exhibits a sign of weakness. Anger is a foolish practice (Proverbs 14:17He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
See All...) that resteth in the bosom of fools (Ecclesiastes 7:9Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
See All...). According to Proverbs 16:32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
See All..., a man “that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” This is why the Bible admonishes believers to “be swift to hear, slow to speak,” and “slow to wrath” (James 1:19Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
See All...). This trait is so important that God included it as one of the requirements for those who would desire the office of a bishop (Titus 1:7For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
See All...).

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): God is against the wrong kind of anger (Psalm 37:8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
  See All...; Ephesians 4:31-32 [31] Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: [32] And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
  See All...; Colossians 3:8But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
  See All...; Romans 12:14Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
  See All..., 17a). Consider His dealings with us (Psalm 145:8The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
  See All...; Nehemiah 9:16-17 [16] But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments, [17] And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.
  See All...). We should work on being more like Him.
• (For everyone): Are you quick to become angry? Do you, as some have said, “fly off the handle”? Why does it take so little to get you angry or frustrated?
• Why is it a sign of weakness to respond in ungodly anger? How does it require strength to stay calm and reason through an issue? How do you most often respond?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord for the strength to avoid ungodly anger.
• Ask God to show you the nature of your heart.

HYMN

TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY

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