Scripture Reading: Psalm 17:1-9

Overcoming Wrath

Intro.

1. We are commanded to “put off all these: anger, wrath, malice...”, Col. 3:8; Eph. 4:31.

2. Outbursts of wrath are a work of the flesh, Gal. 5:20.

3. How do we overcome the sin of wrath?

I. LOSING CONTROL OF OUR TEMPER IS SIN, Eph. 4:31; Jas. 1:19-20.

A. Outbursts of Wrath, Gal. 5:20 [thumos].

1. Foolishness on display, Prov. 14:29.

2. NT uses two different words for anger and wrath (Eph. 4:31):

a. Orge: indignation that rises gradually and becomes a settled trait.

b. Thumos: “rage” (A&G); “passion, angry heat…anger forthwith boiling up and soon subsiding again” (Thayer, 293).

c. θυμός = boiling agitation of the feelings, i.e., “exasperation.” (Lenski)

3. Thumos is explosive, violent temper; displays of temper.

a. Uncontrolled anger not merely a quirk/peculiarity; it is sin.

b. We must put away wrath, Eph. 4:31; Col. 3:8.

II. HOW DO WE OVERCOME OUTBURSTS OF WRATH?

A. Meditate on God and His Word, Psa. 4:4-5; 1:2-3 (119:97, 11).

B. Develop Longsuffering and Patience.

1. Longsuffering, Gal. 5:22.

a. Long-tempered (makrothumia: makro, “long”; thumos, “wrath, temper”).

b. “Longsuffering is that quality of self restraint in the face of provocation which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish; it is the opposite of anger, and is associated with mercy” (Vine, 377).

c. God is longsuffering toward us; we must be toward others.

d. Love “suffers long, and is kind”, 1 Cor. 13:4.

2. Patience.

a. “Patience is the quality that does not surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial; it is the opposite of despondency and is associated with hope, 1Th 1:3; it is not used of God.” (Notes on Thess., Hogg and Vine, 183, 184)

b. The ability to endure and not yield to wrath, cf. Psa. 37:7-8.

c. Patience perseveres when tried, Rom. 5:3-4.

C. Rule Over Your Spirit, Prov. 16:32; 25:28.

1. Master your heart; cleanse the inside first, Mk. 7:15; 23.

2. Develop self-control, Gal. 5:23-24.

a. “restraint exercised over one’s own impulses, emotions, or desires” (Merriam-Webster).

b. Ability to control ourselves to do right and reject sin.

* 3. Rule over your spirit... (Prov. 16:32)

a. With meekness, Num. 12:1-3.

b. With tongue control when provoked, Num. 20:8-10, 12; Psa. 106:32-33.

c. With humility, Phil. 2:5-8. Empty yourself...

d. By focusing on the real issue, Jas. 1:19-20. cf. Prov. 29:22

e. By eliminating selfish ambition (“I have to win!”), 2 Cor. 12:20.

f. By not making excuses for your outbursts or blaming others (“I can’t help myself”; “that’s just the way I am”). We must stop making excuses for our sin! cf. Saul, Acts 26:9-10

g. With a soft answer, Prov. 15:1, 18

-Not with clamor (loud quarreling), Eph. 4:31.

h. By removing anxieties, Phil. 4:6-7. Be content, not frustrated (11).

Conclusion

1. Wrath exalts folly and brings punishment:

He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly. (Prov. 14:29)

A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again. (Prov. 19:19)

2. Be at peace with God, with yourself and with others, Jno. 14:27; 16:33.

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: May 29, 2014