IT IS WRITTEN in 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 (Sanhedrin): but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
From this text, the word "danger" appears three times as the consequence of anger :
- danger of the judgment
- danger of the council
- danger of hell
What does it mean ? Whenever you are angry, beware because there is danger ahead.
In Genesis 4:7, God warned the angered Cain that there was a danger ahead of him, saying,
"If you do well, shall you not be accepted? and if you do not well, sin lies at the door. And to you shall be his desire, and you shall rule over him."
THREE WAYS TO ESCAPE THE DANGER OF ANGER
Cain’s story teaches us 3 effective ways we can deal with destructive anger.
1. LOCATE THE CAUSE OF ANGER
In Genesis 4:6, the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
Whenever you are angry, don’t deny your anger but be honest with yourself and ask yourself a question, “why am I angry?”
2. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
In Genesis 4:7, the Lord warns and advices him, "If you do well, won’t you be accepted? But if you don’t do well, sin is lying outside your door ready to attack. It wants to control you, but you must master it."
When you are angry, don’t look for someone to blame, to stone, to hurt or to kill.
Keep in mind those 3 truths:
Truth 1 : No one makes you angry
Truth 2 : It is you who are angry
Truth 3 : Anger is in you
Therefore, instead of accusing others, take full responsibility, and ask yourself those questions:
Question 1 : Is there something I was supposed to do but I didn't?
Question 2 : Is there something I was supposed to do but I didn't do it in the right way?
Question 3 : Is there something I do while I should not do?
Question 4 : What does the Lord want me to do?
3. CLOSE THE DOOR
In Genesis 4:7, the Lord warns Cain, saying, “… sin is lying outside your door ready to attack. It wants to control you, but you must master it."
When you are angry, you don’t sin as long as you control it. But when anger controls you, you sin because uncontrolled anger opens doors to Satan and his demons.
The Bible says in Ephesians 4:26-27, "... Don't give the devil any opportunity to work ..."
The Bible says again in Proverbs 25:28, "Like a city broken into and left without a wall, so is a person who lacks self-control."
MY PRAYERS TODAY . . .
PRAYER 1
My Father and Lord, I come before you and pray together with the psalmist : examine my heart, prove my heart, search my heart, know my heart, try my heart and expose everything hidden in me causing this anger.
- Psalms 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
- Psalms 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
- Jeremiah 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
PRAYER 2
My Father and my Lord, you are my helper. Forgive me for blaming and accusing others instead of taking full responsibility of my actions. Forgive me for behaving like Cain who ignored your advice and preferred to do things his own way.
Father, I come before you and pray that you will help me to overcome anger and do your will and only your will.
PRAYER 3
My Father and my Lord, help me to have more self-control. I pray you rebuild in me by your power any wall broken down because of lack of self control.
In the Name of Jesus Christ, I close the door to the devil and his demons.
In the Name of Jesus Christ, I pray that you will train me like an athlete to be strong and determined.
In the Name of Jesus Christ, I pray that you will help me to exercise muscles of forgiveness, patience and peacemaking. Help me also to be freed from past hurts and confusions so that
I can run free.
SO SHALL IT BE!
JESUS IS LORD!
JESUS IS LORD!
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