Adam and Eve had two sons named Cain and Abel…when they had grown to manhood they both gave offerings to the LORD God.  Abel’s offering was accepted by God, Cain’s was not.  The Bible does not tell us the ‘why’ but it does tell us the facts.

Cain became angry and it controlled him.  The LORD God talked with Cain:
(Amplified) Genesis 4:6-7 “And the Lord said to Cain, Why are you angry?  And why do you look sad and depressed and dejected?
7If you do well, will you not be accepted?  And if you do not do well, sin crouches at your door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.”

Angry people – look angry.  The Lord God asked Cain a pointed question, “Why are you angry?”  How kind and loving for God to do this for Cain…but His insightful question was rejected.

 

Anger causes chasms in relationships with others

and most importantly with God.

 

People go to counselors and therapists to learn how to control or to ‘manage’ their anger.  What are some of the wise counsels given in the Bible?
For the followers of Christ who are being taught Christ’s way:
(NASB) Ephesians 4:21-24 “if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as the truth is in Jesus,
22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”

(NASB) Ephesians 4:26-27 “BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
27 and do not give the devil an opportunity.”

Do you go to bed angry?  God’s word says to take care of the source of your anger before sleep.  Talk it out with whom you are angry…forgive and put it behind you.  Ask God’s forgiveness…before you sleep.  When we nurse grudges, when we nourish anger, we are giving the devil an opportunity to wreak havoc in our lives.

Anger should not be ‘covered up’ or ‘swept under a rug’ or ignored…it does need to be dealt with.  Your mental, emotional, and spiritual health is involved.

Colossians 3:1-14 is an important passage of Scripture…I encourage you to prayerfully read it…(NASB) Colossians 3:2 “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.”

Question: If you are angry, why?