Welcome to Sunday Fuel! This series of questions is designed to assist your personal reflection and fellowship with others about the sermon from this past Sunday.
1. We all struggle with sinful anger in some form. It can be expressed in a harsh tone, quick temper, yelling or even physical abuse, but don’t discount the less obvious version: inner seething, passive aggressive behavior, or the silent treatment. What is your particular version and who is it generally directed towards?
2. Any form of sinful anger, regardless of how it is expressed, falls short of God’s righteous requirement to love our neighbor. Even if it is not outwardly expressed, Jesus makes it clear that our inward anger deserves the serious judgment of God. Take some time to contemplate the righteousness of God and the offensiveness of your form of anger before Him.
3. All our sinful anger cost Christ his life. He died for it on the cross, bearing the punishment we justly deserve. Have you thought of your anger in this way? Allow Him to humble your heart with the reality of your sin. Thank Him for willingly taking on the judgment we deserve on Himself completely.
4. If you feel guilt and conviction, will you refuse to justify it and instead humbly draw near to God in faith by the power of the gospel? Mourn over your sin (it will be for your blessing!) and seek cleansing and purification through repenting (turning away from the danger of sin and turning to our loving Savior) by confessing your sin specifically. Pastor Kim modeled how he started with reading Scripture to hear what God says about your sin, then restating that Scripture to fit your own situation. Rehearse these daily and meditate on it.
5. Turn in faith towards God. Start by praying for the desire to pursue love instead of your own ends. Ask that he will help you reflect His kingdom values and not settle for externally keeping his commands.
6. Is there someone you need to reconcile with as well? After addressing your sin with God, do you need to also confess and acknowledge your sin to another? Humbly seek their forgiveness and accept any consequences due to your sin. Ask God how you might make things right: correcting lies or false accusations, moving closer to them, being patient, committing to love.
Suggested resources:
- Uprooting Anger by Robert Jones
- Good and Angry by David Powlison