Anger Works by AWI Institute

Galatians 5:19-21

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Works of the Flesh

This verse is particularly helpful in helping us to identify how anger may be connected to our physical presence.  Anger often involves a flood of energy that is related to cortisol and adrenaline as well as the "fight or flight" instinct of survival.  People often get "stuck" at the Energy step of anger processing with shaking, crying, laughing, or even blacking out due to this energy overload.  The good news is that this energy can be identified and understood through practice and reflection.  We do not have to be a slave to this anger response and can learn to direct the energy in positive ways.

Fits of Anger

Like this pot of milk that is boiling over, a fit of anger is not only unproductive but messy and harmful to the desired outcome.  It is likely that this pot will have to be thrown out and the whole process will have to start over.  Such is the picture that a "fit of anger " creates - an explosive reaction that serves no function other than to create a mess and cause harm to the people closest in that environment.  Our anger does not need to "boil over" in this way.  Instead, we can learn how to use it effectively to promote outcomes of peace, change, and resolution.  

Our Inheritance

The Kingdom of G-d is the inheritance that all Christians aspire with attention to living in close relationship with Jesus.  People outside of the this faith perspective have a misconception that heaven is a reward for good behavior.  The idea here is to work toward the example of Jesus who died for all of our sin and gave us a gift of salvation.  Our anger is not exempt from this grace.  Our hope in this perspective of inheritance is to work toward more control of our anger and to find ways to express it in alignment with G-d's path for us.  How might He want you to express your anger?

Other Bible Verses

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