Keep Your Cool
The Attitude of Anger – Part 2

Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:21-22

Key Verse: Matthew 5:22a

But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment!

If you read much scripture, you know it teaches us to be patient with people. The Greek word Jesus used for anger literally means “to provide or enrage someone or become exasperated with someone.” Obviously, we can provoke someone to anger by something we have done unintentionally. Jesus is referring to those intentional actions, which normally will come out of a heart or attitude of anger. Most of us have been at the other end of someone trying to provide us to anger.

Jesus wanted His followers to understand that even if we controlled our outward expressions of anger, God sees our hearts. To allow anger to reside within us for an extended period of time results in bitterness. Long term anger is an obvious sign of an unforgiving attitude, and Jesus warned His followers about the dangers of an unforgiving attitude in Matthew 6:14-15: “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Jesus wants followers to examine their minds and hearts, daily, to make sure we are releasing our anger and unforgiveness. To allow the attitudes of anger to reside in us is to make us miserable people. Angry people are miserable to be around and are miserable with themselves. God will release us; let’s release people who hurt us.

Father, help me to truly examine my heart and see any offensive ways within me. In Jesus’ name, amen.