life's worth: Emotions that destroy: un controlled anger and Bitterness

Every destructive emotion bears its own harvest, but anger’s is the most bitter of all.

Uncontrolled anger is a devastating sin, and no one is exempt from its destructive path. It shatters friendships, destroys marriages, causes abuse in families, it breeds violence in the community and war between nations. Its recoil, like that of a high powered rifle, often hurts the one who operates it as well as the target. Anger makes us lash out at others, destroying relationships and revealing our true nature.

Being a Christian does not make you exempt from angers grip.

After Jesus’ arrest Peter angrily denied his Lord. “But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.” (Mark 14:71) Paul had to urge the Ephesian Christians to   “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:” ~Ephesians 4:31~


How many church’s have been torn apart by someone’s anger? How many people have been turned away from Christ because of a Christians anger?

We get angry when others hurt us, by what they say and what they do. We get angry when we do not get our own way, or our plans are interrupted. Anger may rise up in an instant, and explode like a stick of dynamite or it may simmer just below the surface, sometimes for a lifetime. Like a corrosive acid this kind of anger eats away at our bodies and souls, and we may not even know it is there.

Is anger ever justified? Yes-- when it is caused by an injustice and sin and not of our selfishness and hurt pride.

God is angry when His righteousness is scorned. ( see Matthew 21:12-13) But we must be careful, as sometimes our so-called “righteous indignation” is nothing more than a cover for self-righteousness.

Anger and bitterness ( as well as hatred, jealousy, and resentment (their offspring) are not identical, but very closely related. Bitterness is anger gone sour, an attitude of deep discontent that poisons our souls and destroys our peace.

“ A bitter sour Christian is one of Satan’s greatest trophies” ~ Ruth Graham~

“Looking diligently. . . . lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble (causing you trouble), and thereby many be (will become) defiled” ~Hebrews 12:15~

Are anger or bitterness keeping you from becoming the person God wants you to be?

Next time we will talk about Conquering Anger

Thank You dear Lord for Your love, the love you show to us each and every day. O How we long to be more like You, to not hold on to bitterness and anger. Lord help us to not take on any anger, anger that is of the flesh, we do not want to be selfish, we want nothing but love to come out of our mouth and thru our actions. Convict us Dear Father if we do show any sign of anger and bitterness, so that we can repent of the action. In Jesus name we pray Amen.