Anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and lies are  a part of our core emotions and actions.   Erupting  suddenly; they are like a volcano spewing forth its lava.  Frequently, we falsely believe that we have these well controlled; because, we have learned how to be civil even when anger or jealousy creeps into our hearts.  Furthermore, we often feel our anger is justified; therefore, we think nothing of the verbal daggers that come from our words; as long as, we don’t raise our voices.

THE HEART OF ANGER

Anger is an emotion that results from a person feeling that they have been “wronged” by another’s actions or by a perceived threat.  Because of the intense discomfort or fear involved with anger, a hormonal physical response also occurs resulting in a rising blood pressure, increase in heart rate, tightening of muscles, and narrowing of focus.  Because of that narrowing of focus, the angry person loses sight of the “bigger picture.”  All too often, we then become obsessed with the anger along with the person we believe has provoked that anger.    This grows into wrath, malice, blasphemy and often filthy communications pouring forth from ours actions and our mouths.

Have you ever noticed that the longer we are angry, the more we want to justify that anger?  Then, we begin the lies to ourselves and to others to fully explain our just reason to remain angry. At some point, we lose sight of what really was the truth; because, we must vindicate our own self. Of Course, I could not have been the one wrong; or could I?

THE ROOT CAUSE OF ANGER

Self-exaltation and pride are the root causes of anger.  Think about it!  We become angry when we believe that we have been attacked; usually, our self-perception has been attacked.  Example: Someone says that you were insensitive or rude.  Well, since you believe yourself to be a kind, loving person; suddenly, you feel injured or hurt by their remark.  On the other end of this scale is the person who lives with a sense of “rejection”.  Because they themselves are constantly in fear of rejection; every word that anyone else says is met with sudden anger.  Walls and barriers rise to protect the delicate psyche. All of this comes from our over indulgence in the theology of “me”.

THE THEOLOGY OF ME

At the very heart of sin is the theology of me; which is an ideology of me first.  We become caught up in “What I think, what I feel, what I believe, and what I want!  All of this comes from our sin filled nature.  “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” I John 2:16.   Because the theology of me is part of my worldly nature, the only hope of release from it is to first recognize where this idea was first born-Satan.

THE NATURE OF EVIL (SATAN)

 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.  Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. Isaiah 14:13-14

After recognizing the root; we are then ready to repent of our sins, accept the gift of salvation and replace our Theology of Me with faith in God the Father, through Jesus Christ the Son.

NEW LIFE IN CHRIST

As we have been studying, in Christ we have a new life.  That new life replaces our “me theology” with God.  Our new life in Christ places God first and foremost in our hearts and mind.  We then, worship God instead of ourself.  No longer do I need to defend my fragile self-ego; because, my identity is now founded in Christ.   That is why Paul urges these young Christians to:

Colossians 3: 8-15

put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

NO LONGER BOUND BY SIN

Because of Jesus Christ’s redemptive work on Calvary and His resurrection; we are no longer bound by sin’s control.  In order to live the new life we are given; we must first recognize the truth of our Salvation and all its ramifications.  In Christ, we are born spiritually.  The Holy Spirit comes to indwell our hearts and minds.  We become heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ; by God’s Act of Grace through faith.

As God’s Blessed, Redeemed, Beloved Children; our identity is no longer found in ourselves.  Instead our identity is found in God.  No longer are we bound by a Me Theology that requires holding onto self-exalting narratives.  God’s heart of Love in us overpowers our Anger.  Because God is perfect righteousness and perfect justice; there is never a threat that can undermine the Truth of His Being. With God as our foundation; we stand firm even when arrows are cast at us.  Personal anger has no place in God’s Heart of Love that abides in us.

CONCLUDING TWEETS

[bctt tweet=”When the toxic ‘theology of me’ is replaced by God; love overcomes hate and anger” username=”effiedarlene”]

[tweetthis]Anger’s root cause is a heart of pride seeking self-exaltation.[/tweetthis]

[bctt tweet=”In Christ, we have a life of joy, love, and hope which disallows anger and deceit.” username=”effiedarlene”]

Photo by Permission: https://www.shutterstock.com Photo id: 367161935

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post.  I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Four key truths I  learned over the years taught me how to face trials with Calm Assurance and Hope.   It took years to embed these truths in my heart and then to apply these truths. A lifetime of facing trials ultimately lead me to trust God in everything.  Because of trials, I learned that my life is centered in Christ. Therefore, trials are merely stepping stones to Glory. Trials are not my final destiny.  My life and destiny are centered in Jesus Christ who sits upon His throne in Heaven.  Nothing on this earth can compare to the joy I have knowing Him as my Savior, my High Priest and my Friend.

A TEST OF FAITH

When I went to work on Tuesday, I knew it was only a matter of time until I would have to go to ER.  The severe abdominal pain was a sign that something was wrong.  For many years, some degree of abdominal pain was a way of life for me.  Over the past few months I had noted  an  increase in frequency and intensity of pain.   I had wondered if cancer had invaded my chronically ill pancreas or whether scar tissue was entrapping the bowel.  Either way, for me I knew nothing would change the course until it declares itself fully.   So, it was as I headed to work, my mind quickly thought of the possible diagnosis. Then I went back to thinking of all the things I needed to do at work. Continue reading How to See Trials as Stepping Stones to Glory →

It is essential to understand what your core motivation of life is!  That is key to finding joy and success.  That core motivation drives everything else you do in life whether you recognize it or not.  Many would say, “Easy, I am motivated to succeed!” Because often, we think that is it; we forget to ask then, “What is success?”  Is success dependent on money, prestige, or fame?  If so, how much money, prestige or fame is needed to be a success?  Is success being “well liked” by others or looked up to?  What about in the Christian world!  What does a successful Christian’s life look like?

HOW DO IDEOLOGIES CHANGE MOTIVATION?

Paul the Apostle in addressing the church of Colossae wrote them to beware of false ideologies which were creeping into their church.  Both ideologies go back to the core motivation of worship and how that should look like. One such ideology was that salvation was by grace plus works.  The second ideology included the worship of angels.  Both ideologies change the core motivation of serving God from that of love to that of pride.

Outwardly the service may initially appear the same; but, in the depths of the heart this changes. Because the core motivation for serving God changes, the ideas regarding success also changes.  Hence, pride replaces love, self-exaltation replaces humility, guilt replaces hope, and anger replaces joy.  This can lead to an ever-spiraling downward sense of being a failure or an up/down rollercoaster ride of life in which you are constantly striving for and never reaching a sense of peace with God. Continue reading What Really is Your Core Motivation of Life →