Dealing with Sinful Anger (part 5)

There are several decisive steps to take to get rid of sinful anger. Part 4 described the need to: Identify who you’re angry with and what they owe you. Obviously you must not stop there. Here is the crucial next step:

Bring it to the Cross and confess. You say, “What do I have to confess about? I didn’t deserve what they did. I’m the one that was hurt. They need to confess.” Whether you are right or wrong to be angry, you need to admit that you are. Your wrongs might be undeserved, but holding on to and storing that anger creates more problems. Ask God’s forgiveness through Christ for harboring anger, giving it space in your life, allowing Satan an advantage.

And when you take an honest look at the list of wrongs that made you mad, you might be able to admit that some of them are really about your own selfishness. You might recognize some of it was because you didn’t get what you wanted (see part 1). You realize that your ego, or greed, or cravings or expectations weren’t met and it left you angry. Bring it to the cross, where God poured out his wrath on sin, and the sacrifice of Jesus brought healing and life when you believed. Hebrews 9:14 says: “the blood of Christ…cleanses our consciences from acts that lead to death.” Confess all your bitterness, rage and anger to the God who forgave you in Christ Jesus. Evaluate life by what was done for you on the cross, instead of what was done to you by others.

There’s one more part in the process. Part 6 presents another decisive step in dealing with sinful anger.