Can God Change My Calling from Ministry to Something Else?
Latest Episode:1456
Can God Change My Calling from Ministry to Something Else?

The Rampant Wickedness of Your Anger

Posted August 19, 2016
DoctrineSin
Missing Video URL

I once saw in a grocery store a young boy about seven years old screaming and stomping because he wanted a candy bar and his father said no. This kid lost it. He threw himself on the ground and wept. Then, the father grabbed his son by the arm, threw him over his shoulder, and took him outside.

We often get angry over things that are really ridiculous. Sometimes, days can pass before we realize that our response didn't match the reality. Anger makes us act the part of the fool, because our anger is often irrational.

If we look back at all of our moments of anger, we can begin to see patterns. We get angry over things we can't change. We get angry when people hurt our pride. We get angry when we don't get what we think we deserve. We have a problem: we think too highly of ourselves.

Anger isn’t easy to fix, but daily meditation on the life and death of Jesus is a great way to begin to have a more honest view of ourselves and our circumstances. The Apostle Paul wrote,

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Phil. 2:5–8)

We don't get what we deserve. Jesus experienced that on the cross for us. He died so that we could receive eternal life through trusting in him. This is why James wrote,

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore, put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:19–21)

James’ point is simple: listen to what God has to say in Scripture. Humility is a long and slow process. Thinking about Jesus and salvation is a daily task.

Photo of Silverio Gonzalez
Silverio Gonzalez

Silverio Gonzalez is a husband and father. He earned his B.A. in Philosophy from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and his Master of Divinity from Westminster Seminary California.