What to Read When…You Are Angry

Matthew 5:21-22 –“You have heard that it was told those who lived long ago, ‘You must not murder,’ and ‘Whoever murders will be subject to punishment.’ But I say to you, anyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be subject to punishment. And whoever says to his brother ‘Raka!’ will be subject to the Council. And whoever says ‘You fool!’ will be subject to hell fire. 

Matthew 18:21-35 –When Peter came up and asked him, “Lord, how many times may my brother sin against me and I have to forgive him? Seven times?” Jesus told him, “I tell you, not just seven times, but 77 times! “That is why the kingdom from heaven may be compared to a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. When he had begun to settle the accounts, a person who owed him 10,000 talents was brought to him. 

  Because he couldn’t pay, his master ordered him, his wife, his children, and everything that he owned to be sold so that payment could be made. Then the servant fell down and bowed low before him, saying, ‘Be patient with me, and I will repay you everything!’ The master of that servant had compassion and released him, canceling his debt. 

  “But when that servant went away, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him, seized him by the throat, and said, ‘Pay what you owe!’ Then his fellow servant fell down and began begging him, ‘Be patient with me and I will repay you!’ But he refused and went and had him thrown into prison until he could repay the debt. 

  “When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were very disturbed and went and reported to their master everything that had occurred.   Then his master sent for him and told him, ‘You evil servant! I canceled that entire debt for you because you begged me. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he could repay the entire debt. 

  This is how my heavenly Father will treat each one of you unless you forgive your brother from your hearts.” 

Ephesians 4:25-5:2 –Therefore, stripping off falsehood, “let each of us speak the truth to his neighbor,” for we belong to one another. “Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set while you are still angry, 
and do not give the devil an opportunity to work. The thief must no longer steal but must work hard and do what is good with his own hands, so that he might earn something to give to the needy.

  Let no filthy talk be heard from your mouths, but only what is good for building up people and meeting the need of the moment. This way you will administer grace to those who hear you. 

  Do not grieve the Holy Spirit, by whom you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, quarreling, and slander be put away from you, along with all hatred. 

  And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another just as God has forgiven you in the Messiah. So be imitators of God, as his dear children. Live lovingly, just as the Messiah also loved us and gave himself for us as an offering and sacrifice, a fragrant aroma to God. 

James 1:19-21 — You must understand this, my dear brothers. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. For human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.   Therefore, rid yourselves of everything impure and every expression of wickedness, and with a gentle spirit welcome the word planted in you that can save your souls.