‘Love…is not easily angered…’ (1 Corinthians 13:5)
Being quick to anger and godly love cannot easily coexist. They are contradictory. Quick anger is contradictory to God’s love. To be ‘easily angered’ (Paroxunó) means to be easily provoked to anger by others and to lash out at them. This is the opposite of Christian love (Agapé) which means to seek the best for people regardless of merit or demerit and regardless of feelings; Christian love cannot exist with uncontrolled outrage! To be ‘easily angered’ is a failure to be ‘patient and kind’. Godly love is not like a mouse trap that reacts quickly to insults and issues.
EXAMPLES OF THINGS THAT MAKE US ANGRY
There are innumerable things which tempt us to anger and I’m sure that you have your own list, here are a few examples:
The church community is not doing things as you think they should.
A neighbour whose behaviour is inconsiderate?
A member of the church who does that annoying thing?
A child who will not behave as you would like? They won’t listen to wisdom?
A colleague who is creating a bad atmosphere in the work place?
Not being appreciated for what you do?
People not turning up for things that you’ve organised and you have made the time for.
You are left out of something - a party, baby shower, being a bridesmaid…
You don’t get the grade you think you deserve or the praise and bonus at a work review.
A car or a bicycle cuts in on you and you are outraged.
War and atrocities in the world - The war in Ukraine, I’m sure, makes us all angry.
Society promoting sinful ideas and practices that we see as harmful.
Love is not easily angered. It is not quick to react and lash out. Quick anger leads to broken relationships and broken lives. Using the tongue to express anger will be like a spark that damages your life; James warns us:
‘The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.’ (James 3:6)
RESPONSE
Love (Agapé) is not easily angered; do you feel convicted by this phrase? Are you ‘easily angered’? Do you find that your relationships or your mind is filled with conflict on a regular basis? The good news is that you are not alone! The good news is that God is not easily angered and so He forgives and will give us the power with which to become more like Him.
COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
Do you have any encouragements to share from how God has been speaking to you from His word recently?
3. Recap of Sunday's message - please share in your group
On Sunday, we continued with our series 'Becoming Love' from the book of 1 Corinthians, looking at the next aspect of love.
Please read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Last week we looked at how 'love is not rude or self-seeking'. This week, we are considering the next attribute of Christian love: 'Love…is not easily angered…’
There are innumerable things which tempt us to anger and I’m sure that you have your own list, here are a few examples:
The church community is not doing things as you think they should.
A neighbour whose behaviour is inconsiderate?
A member of the church who does that annoying thing?
A child who will not behave as you would like? They won’t listen to wisdom?
A colleague who is creating a bad atmosphere in the workplace?
Not being appreciated for what you do?
People not turning up for things that you’ve organised and you have made the time for.
You are left out of something - a party, baby shower, being a bridesmaid…
You don’t get the grade you think you deserve or the praise and bonus at a work review.
A car or a bicycle cuts in on you and you are outraged.
War and atrocities in the world - The war in Ukraine, I’m sure, makes us all angry.
Society promoting sinful ideas and practices that we see as harmful.
i. LOVE IS NOT EASILY ANGERED
‘Love’ (Agapé) is to give regardless of merit or demerit and is not dependent upon emotion. This cannot be expressed in uncontrolled outrage! In essence, Christian love is to treat people as God treats us. He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve and He sent His Son to save us.
ii. THERE IS UNGODLY AND GODLY ANGER
We see in the Bible that God does get angry. There is godly and ungodly anger. We can simply be angry about the wrong things. We can be angry about the right things. We can be angry about the right things but in the wrong way. God wants to teach us to deal with anger in the right way and allow it to be a force for good rather than destruction.
iii. GODLY ANGER IS SLOW ANGER
A rocket has the potential of going into space. However, if the energy is let out too quickly, it’s just a big bomb! It's right to be angry about the right things, but this is to be prayerfully and thoughtfully expressed. As James writes:
‘My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.’ (James 1:19-20)
iv. DEFUSE YOUR ANGER
Finally, it's really important, that we go into our day filled with God's peace rather than full of worry and anger. At the beginning of each day, may we do as Paul encourages us:
‘Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’ (Philippians 4:4-7)