Words Of Truth

A Study About Elders
Not Soon Angry

I. Introduction:

A. Anger can be righteous (Mark 3:1-6; cf. Hebrews 7:21-26 and I Peter 2:21-22).

1. The word of God can cause righteous indignation (Jeremiah 15:16-17).
2. In general, you can be angry and sin not (Ephesians 4:26-27).

1. An angry person is so dangerous that it is wise not to befriend that individual (Proverbs 22:24).
2. Anger is something one should be able to cut off rather than be overtaken in (Psalms 37:8 and Colossians 3:8).

1. A person who is soon angry deals foolishly (Proverbs 14:17).
2. On the other hand, not getting angry quickly makes one better than the mighty (Proverbs 16:32).

1. We will address self-control in another lesson (Titus 1:8).
2. What we don’t want is a shepherd who can be easily provoked and blow up (Numbers 20:1-13).
3. Instead of the betterment of others, anger can lead a person to seek the destruction of others (Genesis 4:1-10).
4. An elder that is slow to anger will be able to defuse situations (Proverbs 15:18; cf. Proverbs 15:1).

1. This does not mean He ignores sin (Nahum 1:3).
2. He does act in anger (Deuteronomy 29:19-24 and Psalms 7:11-12).
3. However, He is not so quickly angered that He becomes irrational as a result (Deuteronomy 9:13-29 and Psalms 106:32-45).
4. The Lord is our example to follow (Ephesians 5:1-2 and I John 2:3-6).
5. Lest we dismiss Old Testament examples, remember that Jesus was active in the Old Testament (I Corinthians 10:1-4) and even when He wasn’t He was unified with our Father (John 17:20-23 and I John 5:7).