The Seven Deadly Sins - Anger

Today’s focus was on understanding the roots and consequences of anger, and how to move toward a life marked by love, forgiveness, and gentleness. We began by celebrating the work God is doing in our community, especially through those who disciple and pour into the next generation. After some family business and reminders about generosity, we turned our attention to the first of the “Seven Deadly Sins”—anger.

While the “Seven Deadly Sins” are not listed verbatim in Scripture, they are rooted in biblical wisdom and tradition, serving as a framework for understanding the root causes of much of our brokenness. Anger, in particular, is a complex emotion. God Himself displays righteous anger—His wrath is directed at sin because sin destroys what He loves. Jesus, Moses, and Paul all displayed anger, but always in response to sin and injustice, never out of selfishness or pride.

The challenge for us is that our anger is rarely righteous. More often, it is rooted in misplaced priorities and an over-love of worldly things—our reputation, comfort, control, possessions, or convenience. When these are threatened, we become angry, revealing that our hearts may be clinging to things that are passing away rather than to God and His kingdom. Scripture warns us that unchecked anger leads to conflict, broken relationships, and even greater sin. It can simmer beneath the surface, hardening our hearts and robbing us of joy and community.

Wisdom literature, especially Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, offers sobering counsel: anger brings consequences, stirs up strife, and is the mark of a fool. But it also points us to a better way—slowness to anger, overlooking offenses, and cultivating gentleness. For those who struggle with anger, practical steps include pausing in the heat of the moment, praying for God’s help, processing emotions with wise counsel, pursuing forgiveness, and practicing gratitude. Ultimately, we are called to look to Jesus, who bore the wrath of God on our behalf, offering us forgiveness and the power to let go of anger. In Him, we find the freedom to love, forgive, and live at peace.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Righteous anger is rooted in love for what is good and holy, but most of our anger is self-centered and arises from misplaced priorities. When we become angry over inconveniences, slights, or threats to our comfort, it reveals that our hearts may be loving the world more than God. True spiritual maturity involves examining what triggers our anger and asking whether it aligns with God’s heart or our own selfish desires. [43:51]
• 2. Unchecked anger always carries consequences, both for ourselves and those around us. Whether it erupts in outbursts or simmers beneath the surface, anger leads to conflict, broken relationships, and a hardening of the heart. Scripture warns that a person who gives vent to anger will “pay the penalty,” and that unresolved anger can escalate into greater sin and even violence. [54:36]
• 3. The wisdom of Scripture calls us to be slow to anger and quick to forgive. Being slow to anger is not a matter of temperament but of character—cultivated through self-control, humility, and reliance on God. Overlooking offenses and letting go of grudges is not weakness, but wisdom and glory, freeing us from the bondage of bitterness. [52:07]
• 4. Practical steps for overcoming anger include pausing in the moment, praying for God’s help, processing emotions with wise and godly counsel, pursuing forgiveness, and practicing gratitude. These disciplines help us break the cycle of anger and open our hearts to God’s transforming peace. Gratitude, in particular, is a powerful antidote to anger, shifting our focus from what we lack to the blessings God has given. [61:06]
• 5. Ultimately, freedom from anger is found at the cross. Jesus bore the wrath of God in our place, offering us forgiveness and a new heart. When we bring our anger to Him—whether it’s a lifelong struggle or a recent wound—He is able to dislodge it and replace it with His peace, joy, and love. Our hope is not in our own strength, but in the finished work of Christ. [67:42]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [25:27] - D-NOW Weekend Recap & Worship Team Introduction
• [26:07] - Honoring Trey Lockett and Young Life
• [27:00] - Prayer for Trey and Young Life
• [27:30] - Upcoming Chili Cook-Off Announcement
• [28:00] - Church Finances and Giving Options
• [32:00] - Opening Prayer and Series Introduction
• [32:38] - The Seven Deadly Sins: Biblical Roots
• [34:54] - Historical Background of the Seven Deadly Sins
• [36:40] - Anger: The First Deadly Sin
• [38:26] - God’s Wrath and Righteous Anger
• [41:12] - The Source of Our Anger
• [43:51] - Misplaced Priorities and Over-Love
• [49:35] - Worldly Anger vs. Eternal Perspective
• [51:20] - Proverbs and Ecclesiastes on Anger
• [54:22] - Consequences of Unchecked Anger
• [59:11] - Solutions: Living with or as an Angry Person
• [61:06] - Practical Steps to Overcome Anger
• [65:45] - Invitation to Prayer and Letting Go
• [67:42] - The Cross: Jesus, Wrath, and Forgiveness
• [68:46] - Closing Prayer and Worship Invitation

Bible Reading

Ephesians 4:26-27 (ESV) — > Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.

2. Proverbs 14:29 (ESV)
> Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

3. 1 John 2:15-17 (ESV)
> Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Observation Questions

1. According to Ephesians 4:26, what is the difference between being angry and sinning? What does Paul warn us not to do with our anger?
2. In Proverbs 14:29, what is the connection between being slow to anger and having understanding? What does it say about someone with a quick temper?
3. Based on 1 John 2:15-17, what are some examples of “the things in the world” that we might love too much? How does this relate to the root of our anger? [50:01]
4. The sermon described how Jesus, Moses, and Paul all displayed anger, but it was always in response to sin and injustice, not out of selfishness. What are some examples given in the sermon of what righteous anger looks like? [41:12]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that most of our anger is not righteous, but comes from “misplaced priorities and an over-love of worldly things.” How can someone tell if their anger is rooted in selfishness or in a love for what is good and holy? [43:51]
2. Proverbs and Ecclesiastes warn that unchecked anger leads to consequences like conflict, broken relationships, and a hardening of the heart. Why do you think anger, even when hidden beneath the surface, can be so damaging to our relationships and spiritual life? [55:22]
3. The sermon mentions that being slow to anger is not just about temperament, but about character developed through self-control, humility, and reliance on God. What does it look like in real life to cultivate this kind of character? [52:07]
4. The sermon says that gratitude is a powerful antidote to anger. Why might practicing gratitude help us let go of anger? [01:04:40]

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to examine what triggers our anger and ask if it aligns with God’s heart or our own selfish desires. Think about a recent time you got angry—what was the real reason behind it? Was it about something temporary or eternal? [43:51]
2. The pastor gave practical steps for overcoming anger: pausing in the moment, praying for God’s help, processing emotions with wise counsel, pursuing forgiveness, and practicing gratitude. Which of these steps do you find most challenging, and why? [01:01:06]
3. Proverbs 19:19 says, “A man of great wrath will pay the penalty.” Have you ever experienced or witnessed the consequences of unchecked anger in your own life or someone else’s? What happened? [54:36]
4. The sermon talked about how anger can simmer beneath the surface, hardening our hearts and robbing us of joy and community. Is there any anger or bitterness you’ve been holding onto that you need to bring to God? What would it look like to let it go? [58:13]
5. The pastor encouraged us to process our anger with wise and godly counsel, not just with people who will agree with us. Who is someone in your life you can go to for honest, godly advice when you’re struggling with anger? [01:02:28]
6. Practicing gratitude was highlighted as a way to break the cycle of anger. What is one thing you can thank God for today, even if you’re in a difficult season? How might this shift your perspective? [01:04:40]
7. The sermon ended by pointing us to Jesus, who bore God’s wrath and offers us forgiveness and a new heart. How does remembering what Jesus has done for you help you let go of anger and choose forgiveness? [01:07:42]