13-Biblical Anger Management - Outbursts and Rage

 

                                           OUTBURSTS OF ANGER AND RAGE

                                             -ANGER OUT OF CONTROL-

 These are extremely serious. Anger out of control and especially rage is often coupled/expressed with some form of violence and can end in horrible disasters and consequences. Attempting to mend or pick up the pieces may even be futile. Regardless of the reasons, God holds us fully responsible and requires us to rid ourselves of them, meaning He enables us to do so.  “Now the works of the flesh are…wrath +(fits of anger)…” Galatians 5:19-20. Here God declares rage or outbursts of anger to be works of the flesh and thus condemning them as unacceptable. On the other hand, in Christ Jesus, He has lovingly given us His Holy Spirit to counteract the works of the flesh so that we no longer need to be subject to the power and control of our flesh. “For if you live after the flesh, you shall die; but if you, through the Spirit, do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live.” Romans 8:13

 

TEACHER’S NOTE: When ministering to people we must always be led by the Holy Spirit / filled with the Holy Spirit so that it is actually the Lord Jesus Who is doing the work “…for without Me, you can do nothing.” John 15:5. Remember it is not about us trying to solve their problems, but helping them to take their problems to God. The end result is hopefully a victorious testimony like this, “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me!”

 These are potentially volatile problems and in the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit can one be properly prepared to deal with unexpected situations. It is especially imperative to approach the person in the spirit of gentleness. “A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous/harsh words stir up anger.” Proverbs 15:1. “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken by him at his will.” 2Timothy 2:25-26.

Although rage and out of control anger is totally unacceptable, you must be careful to first determine the reason for what you are dealing with. Again the Holy Spirit’s guidance is critical.

Things to consider: a. Are drugs and alcohol involved – these will complicate and amplify

                                everything. They must be confessed and fully repented of! The Lord will show

                         when and how to deal with them, especially if they are being used as a band aid      

                            Showing empathy for a valid wound is always wonderful and Christ-like, but

                                    never to the point of condoning sinful behavior of any kind.

                                 b. Are there serious wounds that need healing? Trying to arrest an out-of-

                                      order behavior without addressing the cause will be not only almost futile,

                                      but also likely very hurtful to the already wounded individual.

                             c. Is this learned or undisciplined behavior? This kind of behavior relishes in

                                 its self-expression and likely feels justified and right. Absolute repentance is

                                 a must, not only in behavior, but perspective and attitude. Confronting the

                                 initial incident’s causes may be necessary in order to eliminate self-

                                 justifying when the behavior is confronted, especially if the most recent

                                 incident had some justifiable cause. Again, alcohol and drugs will amplify

                                 the behavior. Excessive, unreasonable, or out of control behavior may

                                 also be apparent in other aspects of the individual’s life and yet may show

                                little or no awareness, shame, or concern. Instead expect to be confronted

                                 with arrogance and self-justifying (common allies of the flesh).

                                 d. Is demonic activity involved, and to what extent? Any time out- of- control and

                               extreme behavior is active, you can be sure his influence is

                                     present. When repentance and/or deliverance is applied, a liberated

                            sensation will be experienced by the captive. 2 Timothy 2:25-26                                       

                                Again, only by the power and Holy Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ can you

                                achieve this. The door of entry influence must be exposed, and closed by the

                               individual lest there be a reoccurrence of the satanic attack/deception.

                                

“But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these; anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” Colossians 3:8.

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these;…idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance(discord), emulations, wrath(rage or outbursts of anger), strife,…” Galatians 5:19-2

TEACHER’S

PRIMARY ACTION STEP – Determine if you are dealing with A. Deep Wounds, ie abuse, or just

A.     Behavior Issues. The focus and approaches of both will be so

different and require specific attention.

A.    In the case of serious wounds, gently and carefully help them expose the wound for cleaning and healing. And if the Lord is truly allowed to heal, the out of control behavior will likely be taken care of automatically.

B.      In the case of behavior issues, the behavior must be confronted, exposed and repented if there are to be any changes.

                                                  TACKLING YOUR RAGE

                         WE HAVE CHOICE, ABILITY, AND RESPONSIBILITY.

EXPOSING THE ROOTS- Why so angry, why do/did you lose control?

 Often the root problems are obvious and sometimes the difficulty is owning up to them and facing them, but there is help and grace. “Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

 

Because anger is a normal and even built in reaction within our nature, out of control anger and rage must have contributing factors to take it out of its proper sphere of action. These MUST be exposed and thoroughly dealt with or there will be another occurrence! As long as the individual feels justified their behavior will be defended, roots covered, the real issues unresolved (unrepented of) and a reoccurrence most assuredly expected.

LIKELY CAUSES FOR RAGE: 1- Hurts; deep unattended, unhealed wounds, especially abuse.

                                                    2- Learned and undisciplined behavior

                                                    3- Alcohol and drugs

           4- Demonic activity

           5- Stress, fatigue, anxiety, frustrations

                                                    6- Hatreds, bigotry, pride and self-righteousness

                                                    7- Fears and guilt. 

                                                    8- Physical disorders

                                                    9- Any combination                                                                                                    

“A fool gives full vent of his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.”

“An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins.”

Proverbs 29:11,22

ACTION STEP#1

If this is you?- IMMEDIATELY- REPENT/TURN AND CRY OUT TO GOD AND ASK HIM TO FORGIVE YOU AND TO HELP YOU.

If you have been seriously hurt, He knows your heart and your situation, He loves you and He wants to heal you and to set you free. Ask Jesus to help and heal you. “He heals the broken in heart and

binds up their wounds.” Psalms 147:3

ABUSE – Where genuine abuse, especially physical abuse is, there can also be a huge struggle with guilt and shame, although the person may be completely innocent. Furthermore, the injustice may produce an understandable reaction of anger and rage. Be careful and cautious how you approach the topics – in humility, compassion, understanding, and the guidance and grace of Jesus Christ.

ACTION STEP #2 a. Determine the reasons for your rage, it is your responsibility! The Lord will

                                    walk you through if you really desire Him to.                                  

                            b .Determine contributing elements. Do you feel justified for being angry, on what Biblical grounds? You may feel remorse or regret for some of your behavior, but if you feel at all justified you will do it again or worst.

 This is no casual affair! You must humble yourself and with a fully open heart cry out to God and begin to search out the truth and the facts and take all the steps required to rectify the situation and your behavior. Time is of critical importance!

STOP-CONSIDER-DECIDE-DO SO NOW!

 

ACTION STEP#3- Break off /repent of bad alliances.

a.       Cease/repent of alcohol and drug use.

b.      Turn from violent entertainment and music.

c.       Avoid people who encourage these.

d.      Turn from any place that promotes any of these.

e.       Immediately repent of any desire toward fantasies of

      violence or revenge.

f.       Repent of and renounce all occult practices.

g.      Repent of any other sinful practices and indulgence.

NOTE – Not only are these sin, demonically inspired, but also subject us to their influence and control.                 h.  Cease to allow evil thinking about any. “Love thinks no evil.” 1 Cor. 13, and

                                         flee from any angry, bitter, resentful, hateful, and revengeful thoughts..

NOTE – It is GOD Who helps and keeps us from sinning. Therefore we must always endeavor to keep our hearts and minds and behavior right before Him.

“Then God said to him in a dream, ‘Yes I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against Me. That is why I did not let you touch her.’” Genesis 20:6

 

STOP! CONSIDER-DETERMINE TO DO SO NOW!- PRAY AND ASK HIM TO HELP YOU

TEACHERS NOTE – These are extremely serious issues. Serious prayer, humility, Biblically based instruction, encouragement, and careful walking through the guidance of the Holy Spirit are likely needed to see the necessary changes. Unless the Holy Spirit of Jesus does a quick healing and deliverance, it is naive to assume that a few quick formulas will accomplish the task. Proceed thoroughly, carefully, wholeheartedly, and wisely.

 

ACTION STEP #4 DISARM YOURSELF (Develop and work these continually)

a.       Cease immediately from justifying yourself. Job 9:20

b.      Repent of allowing yourself to dwell on any angry, bitter, hostile, hateful thoughts. Cry out to the Lord for help because the devil will feed and torment you with them, and ask the Lord to show you His perspective of these people and or issues.

c.       Repent of the assumed right to get angry, punish, use revenge, filthy and or abusive language (“…because they will increase to more ungodliness.” 2 Tim.2:16), violence.
Please note that any agreement with these in your mind will activate a corresponding intention that will be released when the first opportunity arises and likely ending in most serious hurt and regret. Remember, not only are these behaviors often sin in themselves, but become horrible weapons, especially in the hands of rage.

d.      Repent of petty displays of anger; ie. Yelling, cursing and swearing, throwing and hitting things… Further, repent of spite and rebellion. These are serious breeding for demonic activity. “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that rules his spirit than he that takes a city.” Proverbs 18:32

e.       Beware of the trap of self-pity.

                                                 

1-      Walk in love, “…love thinks no evil,…bears all things…”1Cor.13, 1Tim. 1:5, Mark 12:29-31

2-      Deal with issues immediately, “Matthew 18:15-17

3-      Instead of getting even or your justice, “…overcome evil with good. ”Romans 12:21

4-      Seek understanding and wisdom, “He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding… Proverbs 14:29, Proverbs 2:6

               STOP!- CONSIDER- DECIDE- MAKE THESE YOUR LIFESTYLE

 

WOUNDS AND ABUSE – When wounds and abuse are the cause, healing is what is required. The Lord can and will, but there must be forgiveness. This does not mean to return to an abusive or evil situation, but instead an action from your heart. Furthermore, the situation may or should be exposed to an authority if it was an abuse. Fears, shame, and the devil want you to keep it quiet. Get godly help and counseling to help you with this. In the end, as with everything, only Jesus can set us free from our sins. Where ever lays our responsibility, there we must tend to, and leave the rest to Him. He loves us SO MUCH!!!