Ephesians 4:31

 

Ephesians 4:31

Stop Getting Angry!

 

Eph 4:31  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 

          1.     A Christian Should be Activity Getting Rid of the Following:

a.      Bitterness

                                               i.     Bitterness is where hurtful words are sharpened - Psalm 64:2-4 

                                             ii.     Bitterness is the way of the ungodly - Romans 3:12-14 

                                            iii.     Bitterness destroys our marriages - Colossians 3:19 

                                            iv.     Bitterness is a contradiction to wisdom - James 3:13-15 

b.     Wrath

                                               i.     Wrath is the source of strife - Proverbs 15:18 

                                             ii.     Wrath does not advance the Kingdom of God - James 1:19-20 

c.      Anger

                                               i.     Anger the source of conflict - Proverbs 29:22 

                                             ii.     Anger is the path of fools - Proverbs 14:17 

d.     Clamor

                                               i.     A Christian should avoid unnecessary arguments

1.     2 Timothy 2:23; 1 Timothy 6:4-5 

                                             ii.     A Christians should never be a part of a riot

1.     It was unbelievers who rioted in response to Paul’s preaching at Ephesus

a.      Acts 19:28-29 

2.     It was unbelieving Jews who rioted in response to Paul coming to worship in the Temple

a.      Acts 21:30-32 

e.      Evil Speaking

                                               i.     Slander destroys close friendships - Proverbs 6:19 

                                             ii.     Slander is what a fool does - Proverbs 10:18 

                                            iii.     Slander causes painful wounds - Proverbs 18:8 

                                            iv.     Slander drives away blessing - Proverbs 25:23 

                                              v.     Slander encourages strife - Proverbs 26:20 

                                            vi.     Slander is the industry of the lazy - 1 Timothy 5:13  

f.      Malice

                                               i.     Malice was the motivation of Cain - 1 John 3:11-15 

                                             ii.     Malice is a mark of our old nature - Colossians 3:8-10 

g.     How are we set free from Anger?

                                               i.     Choose to meditate on God’s love and forgiveness

1.     Ephesians 4:23-24