Anger

                                                                A Look at Anger

                                                  Not an exhaustive but a quick study

 

I saw a couple of ideas popped into my head (like they always do), and it was a podcast on how Jesus taught about anger. This reference is from the Sermon on the mount. Matthew 5;22 “But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hellfire. But that crashed into another scripture, Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath. There is a lot to unpack there. I will unpack this first before I move forward from here.

            In Matthew, Jesus taught that being angry with one’s brother offers the danger of hellfire it goes on further to state to leave your gift at the altar, reconcile with your brother and then present the gift. There is much more there to study. The question of who is our brother comes to mind. I purposely skipped over a portion of the scripture. Starting at verse 22, “But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother (without a cause)shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in risk of hellfire. So, by the above statement, is there a cause for which anger is appropriate? The statement whosoever shall say to his brother Raca is defined as calling someone empty-headed, stupid, or an idiot. The same anger that will cause one to call someone a name is the same anger called upon to commit murder. We have numerous examples of name-calling that turn into murder. I have stated that human beings do not kill other human beings. People kill unflattering names that people are called, not a person. Because to invoke that level of hatred, the person in question is required to be dehumanized before killing them. Never in the history of ever has it been reported that the father of four was killed in a shootout with police. It is far likelier that the perpetrator, shooter, or escapee was killed. A person that throws around epithets like free candy is in grave danger.

            What then of the scripture that says to be angry and sin not. This indicates that anger is not the complete issue. If we are told not to sin while angry, it logically follows that there is a cause where anger is appropriate. I hate to admit this, but I used to have a terrible temper. During my service time, I received a stern reprimand about the issue more than once. I even went to anger counseling a couple of times. I now have an anger that is much slower to develop. Proverbs 15;1 states a soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. That still does not answer the question. How one can be angry and sin not. I believe anger and wrath are two different things (don’t quote me). Anger is the emotion, and wrath is the action. Actions are under our control. I could only use a few scripture references from the references that I read before starting this essay because that subject is well covered in the bible. Here are a few. Proverbs 14:29 “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.”

     I have a story on this scripture that happened today. My middle grandson did not complete his tasks as assigned yesterday evening (I cook, they clean the kitchen); well, it wasn’t done. This young man has the tendency to complete a task poorly in the hope that someone will do it for him. My Chili was hot, but he had already caught the bus for school. I was ready to throw the book at him. I went to a doctor’s appointment and took the time to think about what I would say. I let him know that he will complete the task assigned daily, and I will inspect his work in the evening and let him know if he finished it successfully if (at a time of my choosing) I am satisfied, then the rotation of chores will resume. However, if he is less than successful, consequences will escalate until compliance is reached. That was the benefit of 3 hours going to and from the VA clinic in Columbus. My anger had faded. The key was time. That leads to the following scripture reference. Proverbs 16:32 “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” Proverbs 14;17 A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated.

            So, it is possible to be angry and sin not (because it says so), then I further take it to mean that time is the ice that cools the heat of anger. Don’t be quick to respond to an insult. That is more problematic in this age when the currency of likes. Clicks and views are so pervasive. We are being used daily by those in power, those that seek power, and the minions in between. I have an example during the last two summers (unpleasantness), 34+ people had met their demise at the hands of peaceful protestors. Over the previous 18 months or so, 9 people have met their end at the hands of law enforcement. But looking at the coverage, one would not believe it so. Someone somewhere is playing manipulative games with the emotions of 300 million-plus people for fun and profit. Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. The mind is the battlefield. It is where the fight is either won or lost.

 

 

 

                         The mind is the darkroom where negatives are developed.