JP27: JESUS IN AN AGE OF RAGE: HOW TO RELEASE ANGER AND GET YOUR HEART BACK

A boss from years back asked for end-of-deployment awards and performance write-ups for my platoon's troop leaders.  As an inexperienced, young leader with a large ego, I casually wrote and submitted the work by the due date and waited with confidence for his approval.

Box checked. Mission complete.

However, confidence faded as word came around that the write-ups received a detailed review.  Had I underestimated the assignment? The boss?

As I sat, pages of work bleeding with red ink answered the question.  My mentor talked about the evident carelessness and how I needed to mature as a leader.   And, he mentioned his masters degree in English, how much it helped him, and how he hoped his critique would help me succeed in the future.

This humbling experience relayed a valuable principle.  Our best always starts with the heart.  While I “performed” the task on time, pride led to heartless write-ups.  

To mature our Christ-following in an age of rage, Jesus coaches us to focus on following Him from the heart.

You have heard that it was said to those of old, You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:21-25

Recognize And Renounce An Angry Heart

Focused on box-checking, people developed a blind spot in their relationship with God.  They grew sightless to the truth that the angry heart that desires someone’s harm equals the fierce spirit that moves a person to murder.  

What kind of anger is liable to judgment according to Jesus? It's selfish anger that places oneself above someone as their judge - instead of God.  When this tree of prideful anger finds root, it branches into shameful insults and graceless slander, throwing shade on our fellow image-bearers.  

Jesus explains that insulting others and calling them empty-headed (aka You fool!) or any other such label is an act that calls for the judgment of hell (Ouch!).  

Remember The Priceless Value of Every Person

There is a seeming harshness in Jesus' words that some will consider outdated thinking reserved for ancient times.  However, we must remember the extreme value that Jesus places on every person - even the people who don’t observe the same behaviors, opinions, interests, preferences, and beliefs as we do.

Jesus wants to mature our character into his likeness, removing the right to destroy the God-created life of another person by physical murder or with caustic attitudes, destructive thoughts, and careless words.  

Move Beyond Anger To Love

Jesus leads us, by the transforming power of his gospel and grace, to move beyond anger to unconditional love.  Otherwise, the Father finds our worship worthless.  How can this be?

The apostle John explains that our relationship with others directly bears on the nature of our relationship with God. Observe how he clarifies that,

“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”  1 John 4:20-21.  

John learned from spending time with Jesus that we’ve lost our way when we forget that our love for God shows through our love for fellow humans.

Let Go Of Anger Fantasies

How do we redirect and deal positively with anger?   First, realize that Jesus is not asking that we suppress anger toward evil or unjust treatment.  On the contrary, righteous anger moves us to seek justice and unity while letting go of besetting fantasies to harm our brother or sister with thoughts or words that degrade their humanity physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  

Second, keeping our hearts focused on pleasing God and the good of everyone is a faith step that reflects His wisdom through the apostle Paul,

"Do not take revenge my friends, but leave room for God's wrath.  For it is written, 'It is mine to avenge, I will repay says the Lord.' Romans 12:19

Trusting God to bring about perfect justice frees us to release besetting anger from the deepest hurts in exchange for a heart that starts with love again.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, thank you for opening my eyes to anger that destroys fellow image-bearers and blocks my relationship with you.  I repent of this lingering attitude as you make me into a more loving and forgiving person like your son Jesus.  I need your grace to overcome unhealthy anger by replacing old attitudes and habits with righteous thinking and speaking that exalt you.  May it be so by your all-sufficient grace, Amen.

Jesus In An Age Of Rage: How To Release Anger And Get Your Heart Back

1. Recognize And Renounce The Angry Heart: Before the Sun Goes Down

In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:26-27

2. Remember The Priceless Value Of Every Person: We Are All Wonderfully Made

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139: 13-16

3. Move Beyond Anger To Love: As Jesus Did For Us

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8

4. Let Go Of Anger Fantasies:  Replace Bitter Thoughts With Better Ones

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9

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