Key Verse – Ephesians 4:31:
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” (ESV)
Introduction: The Fire of Fleshly Anger:
* Why anger is a common but dangerous temptation.
* Connection to the doctrine of indwelling sin (Romans 7).
* Goal: To understand, expose, and mortify sinful anger by the power of the Gospel.
1. Definitions and Theological Foundations.
1.1 What Is Anger and Wrath?
a. Anger: Emotional response to perceived wrong.
b. Wrath: Intensified, often uncontrolled, form of anger.
1.2 Anger as a Work of the Flesh.
a. Galatians 5:19-21 – “Fits of anger” listed among the works of the flesh.
b. James 1:20 – Man’s anger does not produce God’s righteousness.
c. Total depravity includes disordered emotions and reactions.
2. Biblical Survey: Righteous vs. Sinful Anger.
2.1 Righteous Anger.
a. Jesus cleansing the temple (John 2:13–17).
b. Moses and the golden calf (Exodus 32).
c. Characteristics: Slow, purposeful, God-centered.
2.2 Sinful Anger.
a. Cain’s anger (Genesis 4) Jealous and murderous.
b. Saul’s rage (1 Samuel 18) Envy and insecurity.
c. Jonah’s resentment (Jonah 4) Self-righteous anger.
d. Proverbs 29:22 Anger stirs up strife and transgression.
3. Exhortations and Warnings from Scripture.
3.1 Ephesians 4:26–27
Do not let the sun go down on your anger.
3.2 Colossians 3:8
Put off anger, wrath, and malice.
3.3 Proverbs 14:17
Quick-tempered person acts foolishly.
3.4 Matthew 5:21–22
Jesus equates anger with murder of the heart.
4. The Gospel Remedy for Sinful Anger.
4.1 Union with Christ.
a. Romans 6:6 – The old self crucified with Christ.
b. We are no longer enslaved to the passions of the flesh.
4.2 Fruit of the Spirit.
a. Galatians 5:22-23 – The Spirit produces patience and gentleness.
b. The Holy Spirit enables control over sinful reactions.
4.3 Gospel Forgiveness.
a. Ephesians 4:32 – Forgive as God forgave you in Christ.
b. A heart shaped by the cross releases anger.
4.4 Recognise it, Acknowledge it and Deal with it Promptly.
5. Practical Application: How to Mortify Fleshly Anger.
5.1 Examine the Roots.
James 4:1-2 – Quarrels stem from selfish desires.
5.2 Confess and Repent Quickly.
1 John 1:9 – Walk in the light, keep short accounts.
5.3 Humility and Patience.
a. Proverbs 19:11 – It is a glory to overlook an offence.
b. Colossians 3:12-13 – Clothe yourselves with compassion and patience
5.4 Seek Accountability.
James 5:16 – Confess your sins and pray for one another.
Conclusion and Encouragement.
a. Christ bore God’s wrath so we no longer need to walk in wrath.
b. The Holy Spirit enables the believer to walk in gentleness.
c. We are called to reflect Christ’s humility and peace.
Final Word.
James 1:19–20 – “Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger…”.