How to Resolve Intense Anger?
A Tim Keller Sermon Summary
Good behavior is the crux of many major religions, but Christianity focuses more on who we are than what we do.
Let’s use forgiveness as an example. See Ephesians 4:22-32.
Assume we have been terribly wronged, and we are angry.
Before addressing the issue of forgiveness, let’s look at anger.
Anger intrinsically is good. Like other emotions, they are created by God. Numerous places in the Old Testament describe God in anger. When someone misused Sabbath to cause intense suffering and torture, Christ was angry (Mark 3:1-5). So, don’t suppress or deny our anger (Ephesians 4:26).
Though we should not suppress our anger, we should control it and express it within boundaries. We also should not let anger linger on, but rather gradually get rid of it, together with our bitterness and brawling. Otherwise, the devil could use anger as a beachhead to get to us (Ephesians 4:26-27, 31).
Let’s get back to forgiveness. Why should we forgive?
Christians forgive not because it is the moral things to do, but because in Christ, God forgave us, allowing us to be His children (Ephesians 4:32). Since God has forgiven our huge debt, we should forgive others’ small debts (Matthew 18:21-35).
Christians forgive because our Father in heaven has forgiven us.
Sometimes we don’t forgive others because we think we are better and would never commit such mistakes. Sometimes we won’t even forgive ourselves because we think our mistakes are too big to deal with. In both cases, we focus on ourselves. Instead, we should focus on Christ.
Let Christ’s sacrifice for us melt our stubborn heart. Have mercy on others because God has been merciful to us (Matthew 18:33).
By the way, it may take us awhile to learn to forgive others. Changing takes time. Be patient.
In conclusion, we should channel our anger energy to attack and solve problems, and hold no ill will. Instead, we must forgive others because our heavenly Father has forgiven us, allowing us to be His beloved children.
Summarized from a Tim Keller’s sermon
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/forgiving-and-forgiven-5647/
Let’s use forgiveness as an example. See Ephesians 4:22-32.
Assume we have been terribly wronged, and we are angry.
Before addressing the issue of forgiveness, let’s look at anger.
Anger intrinsically is good. Like other emotions, they are created by God. Numerous places in the Old Testament describe God in anger. When someone misused Sabbath to cause intense suffering and torture, Christ was angry (Mark 3:1-5). So, don’t suppress or deny our anger (Ephesians 4:26).
Though we should not suppress our anger, we should control it and express it within boundaries. We also should not let anger linger on, but rather gradually get rid of it, together with our bitterness and brawling. Otherwise, the devil could use anger as a beachhead to get to us (Ephesians 4:26-27, 31).
Let’s get back to forgiveness. Why should we forgive?
Christians forgive not because it is the moral things to do, but because in Christ, God forgave us, allowing us to be His children (Ephesians 4:32). Since God has forgiven our huge debt, we should forgive others’ small debts (Matthew 18:21-35).
Christians forgive because our Father in heaven has forgiven us.
Sometimes we don’t forgive others because we think we are better and would never commit such mistakes. Sometimes we won’t even forgive ourselves because we think our mistakes are too big to deal with. In both cases, we focus on ourselves. Instead, we should focus on Christ.
Let Christ’s sacrifice for us melt our stubborn heart. Have mercy on others because God has been merciful to us (Matthew 18:33).
By the way, it may take us awhile to learn to forgive others. Changing takes time. Be patient.
In conclusion, we should channel our anger energy to attack and solve problems, and hold no ill will. Instead, we must forgive others because our heavenly Father has forgiven us, allowing us to be His beloved children.
Summarized from a Tim Keller’s sermon
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/forgiving-and-forgiven-5647/