Genesis 49:7
“Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.”
Anger, in and of itself is not a sin, but anger that is out-of-control is a curse. If anger is a sin then God is a sinner because He has displayed anger. The difference between God’s anger and out-of-control anger is that He dictates His anger and out-of-control anger is dictated by circumstances.
The verse above shows the results of out-of-control anger. Simeon and Levi slew a man in their anger, and the Scriptures teach that anger’s curse divided and scattered them through life. Anger’s curse has a dividing and scattering effect. Whenever a person loses control of their emotions and becomes angry, you will always see those around get quiet and begin to walk away. The reason is that out-of-control control anger scatters and divides. The quickest way to lose credibility is to be a person who doesn’t control their anger. If out-of-control anger brings a curse, how do we deal with it?
First, deal with anger swiftly. Ephesians 4:26 says, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:” Many people let circumstances fester instead of quickly dealing with them. The Scriptures teach that you shouldn’t let the sun go down until you deal with what leads to anger. Deal with anger swiftly so it doesn’t set up residence in your heart.
Second, be slow to react. Ecclesiastes 7:9 says, “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” Many people allow anger to be their first reaction to unlikeable circumstances. When you are prone to anger, you are going to have to learn to stop and allow your emotions to cool down before you act. Even if you have to leave a room or a conversation that leads to anger, that is better than dealing with anger’s curse.
Third, avoid the catalyst. Proverbs 30:33 says, “Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.” God is teaching that the best way to avoid anger is to avoid the catalyst that leads to it. An angry person always has a catalyst that sets off their anger. If you know what sets it off, avoid it. Until you learn to grow in that area, you would be better to avoid that which causes you to get angry.
Fourth, get the whole story. Proverbs 19:11 says, “The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.” Discretion is getting the whole story before making a decision. The best way to avoid anger is to be sure you have heard both sides of a story before you react. Most anger could be averted if you took the time to get the whole story.
Finally, when you have a problem with anger, ask God to help you overcome it. 1 John 1:9 teaches that if we confess our sin to God, He will “cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” You will never overcome it by yourself. You need God’s help to cleanse you from out-of-control anger. If you have a problem with out-of-control anger, don’t let another day of its curse control you. Ask God for help to overcome it, follow these four steps with every circumstance you face, and you will find that out-of-control anger will get under control.