Hello everybody, and welcome in to episode 162 of the Bible 2021 podcast. We are reading Ephesians 4 today and our focus is on Anger Danger: The Danger and Destructiveness of Anger!  We are a daily 10 minute podcast, where we will dig in to the truth of the Word of God by reading one Bible chapter a day and discussing it. Welcome to new listeners in  Thanks for listening!  Our goal is to encourage DAILY Bible reading, so you can jump in at any time and join with us. We want to invite as many people as possible to join us in daily Bible reading, so help spread the word and share the podcast Don’t forget about our web-page, Bible2021.com – contact page, show notes, transcript and more– Click here for our Bible 2021 reading plan\

Do you ever have a situation when all of the sudden a Bible truth just becomes more…real to you? I’ve read James 1 many times in my life – in fact, one time when I was in college, I think I read it ten times in a row, but of all of the times I’ve read that chapter, it wasn’t until a few years ago that a friend named Paula quoted the verse and explained a brief part of it, that I had my eyes open to a deep Bible truth that I had either missed or ignored.

James 1: 19 My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, 20 for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness

Man’s anger doesn’t accomplish God’s righteousness. Do you hear that, parents? Do you hear that, spouses? Do you hear that friends and bosses? We tend to think that our anger can bring change and transformation, but the Word of God completely and utterly disagrees. Anger might change behavior (because people are scared or intimidated), but anger does NOT bring about maturity and real and lasting change. Today’s passage is going to strongly warn us against anger, and before we read it, let me caution you about something: anger doesn’t always look like anger.

ANGER  ISN’T ALWAYS LOUD: I don’t have what most people would call a bad temper. I don’t holler and yell and pound my fist and shout a whole lot. I tend to keep it together and talk in cool and even tones. I used to think that made me pretty cool under pressure and quite mature, but honestly, I was self-deceived. When I’m angry,  Instead, I sulk and go silent and broody. I do get angry, but try to pretty it up by letting it be that brooding and quiet anger instead of that explosive anger.  Anger doesn’t have to be shouting and hollering and banging things. My anger is usually very, quiet. I used to get mad when I would get in trouble with my wife or friends who knew me well when they could see anger in my eyes. They knew me well, and could see into my soul, but I thought – this isn’t fair!  – I didn’t holler or shout or swear, or say anything. But they discerned my heart. I was proud of myself for self-restraint, but the fact is that my anger is not justifiable and being broody about it, or quiet or whatever and SEETHING is NOT righteous anger or sinless anger.  I’ve learned that I tend to withhold myself from people when I am angry with somebody. Maybe you do too. This is not the Jesus way, however – anger, whether it is loud and obvious, or quiet and seething – does not accomplish God’s righteousness. Let’s read our passage, and see how many times Paul is going to challenge us on anger, and call us to a different way of behaving. 

Matthew 5: 21 “You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. 22 But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Whoever insults his brother or sister, will be subject to the court. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to hellfire. 23 So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.

Jesus is here comparing ANGER and INSULTS to MURDER. WHAT?! HOW? WHY?  Here’s the thing: The hatred and anger the motivates you or me to call somebody else a fool, idiot or moron comes from the same place and is the same motivation that causes somebody to murder somebody else. The heart-attitude is exactly the same, according to Jesus.  

I watched a video of a preacher a few weeks ago – who has been a preacher for over 40 years. He was preaching a sermon about people who have been hurt by other people. He said, and I quote  In the most mocking way possible: “It’s all about your feelings hurt. They hurt my daughter, they hurt my son, they hurt my wife, they hurt my husband…I’m so hurt, I don’t know if I can go on. (very whiny) THEN: WELL, JUST DIE!! Crazy idiot.”

And I watched that video a few times, and it made my blood boil. Then I remembered, and began to think. How many times have I called people a fool, or an idiot, or something similar? I sometimes get passionate watching football games, and I’m sure I’ve called refs, etc. names. SO WHAT, we’ve all done that, right? 

Here’s the so what: Jesus says: Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to hellfire.

Hellfire. Jesus – are you serious? You really expect us in an age of social media not to fire back on people who deserve it, and call out (name your least favorite group: Democrats, Republicans, liberals, conservatives, Raiders fans, 9’ers fans, Apple Users, Android users, drivers) Jesus: You really expect us to not call people names, and not get angry with them? WHAT? How’s this for an answer from Jesus: 

Matthew 26: 67 Then they spat in his face and beat him; others slapped him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah! Who was it that hit you?”

What did Jesus do in response to this? NOTHING! This is how Jesus lived His life – how our master TAUGHT us to live and How He MODELED for us to live. This is the Jesus way. If we follow Him, we follow THIS WAY. 

2nd Peter 2: 23 When he was insulted, he did not insult in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.

Bible Memory verses for the month of June: Daniel 6:23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to take Daniel out of the den. When Daniel was brought up from the den, he was found to be unharmed, for he trusted in his God.

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