Anger hurt and offense Bible study (Jacksonville, FL)

Anger hurt and offense Bible study

This is a KJV Bible study guide on dealing with and avoiding anger arguments hurt and offense.Proverbs 15 1 A soft answer turneth away wrath but grievous words stir up anger. [Not a good idea to poke a hornets nest (make someone mad). It would be better to not make them mad preferably use soft non-provoking words if possible. The word grievous means what To hurt pain grieve displease vex wrest. From grieve or grief. Heavy oppressive burdensome as a grievous load of taxes. Afflictive painful hard to be borne]. Ecclesiastes 7 9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. Colossians 3 8 But now ye also put off all these anger wrath malice blasphemy filthy communication out of your mouth. James 1 19 Wherefore my beloved brethren let every man be swift to hear slow to speak slow to wrath James 1 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Really good advice for everyone including me. In my words keep your mouth shut most of the time unless you have something good to say (slow to wrath try not to use filthy words). Mark 3 5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger being grieved for the hardness of their hearts he saith unto the man Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out and his hand was restored whole as the other. There are situations where anger might be the correct attitude to display even Christ (God in the flesh John 1 1 and 14) displayed anger at times. See Psalm 37 8-10 also. Avoid arguments if possible 2 Timothy 2 16 But shun profane and vain babblings for they will increase unto more ungodliness.2 Timothy 2 23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid knowing that they do gender strifes.2 Timothy 2 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle unto all men apt to teach patient [My interpretation of the above verses avoid worthless foolish talk and teachings that only lead to godless behavior. Avoid arguments and foolish questions involving those unlearned of God s word. A servant of God must not quarrel but be kind to everyone (when possible) share truths from God s word plant a seed of truth then move on be patient and endure till the end. Romans chapter 14 tells us how to avoid offending a brother that is not as far along in his Christian journey. The point being don t drive them away from God by judging those that may be weaker in faith by starting useless arguments etc. Be patient don t strive be gentle and teach others if possible]. Romans 12 18 If it be possible as much as lieth in you live peaceable with all men. [I ll ask you a question. Is it possible to live peaceably with all humans The answer would be no . Don t let anyone walk all over you either Christians are not door mats. As stated above in 2 Timothy 2 16 23 and 24 do your best to be gentle and patient apt to teach when possible ].Hurt and offense Being hurt and being offended are two very different things. And we rarely take the time to sort through them which leads us to feel all kinds of issues in our relationships. Emotional hurt is something we experience because something wrong has been done to us. Think lies gossip or broken promises etc. And if we re going to be honest here we would also admit there have been times when we have hurt people. Offense is not the result of something done to us it s something we choose. This can be our reaction to snarky emails something we discovered we didn t like about a person situation or even something stirring jealousy in us.Hurt happens to us. Being offended is a choice made by us. Hurt requires healing. Offense requires an objective opinion.But may we remember today God is the God of the hurt heart and the offended heart. He s here to help us sort through both.In the past few years we have become more isolated than we ever have been. While many are truly hurting because of everything this current year has brought others are dealing with hearts that are offended by what seems like everything. We are all on edge and rightly so many of our lives have been upended. As much as this season of isolation and division has tried to convince us we don t need people we do. And I believe so strongly that the enemy of our souls would love for us to stay offended and divided.This verse Proverbs 19 11 is one we should probably read and study at least once a week if we want to pull through this season of life with important relationships intact. It says The discretion of a man deferreth his anger and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. (In other words don t be so easily offended or angered by the actions or speech of another). The book of Proverbs is considered the book of wisdom. Chapter 19 is all about building a life of discernment and wisdom. The word glory used here is referring to a sign of growth and maturity. A person who has experienced growth knows how to recognize hurt versus offense. Hurt requires healing. Being offended requires a dose of let it go.The first step requires laying down the hurt or offense before God and not picking it back up. There are some places of hurt only God can heal.The second step requires letting it go. There are some things I need to get over and stop being offended by.I know because you are reading this today you are a person who longs to experience both spiritual and emotional growth in your life. I also know we are all very human sorting through emotions and situations that leave us feeling challenged. Life and relationships have been hard the last few years (COVID-19 pandemic and associated mandates).Some pertinent verses follow Psalm 119 165 Great peace have they which love thy law and nothing shall offend them.Proverbs 12 16 A fool s wrath is presently known but a prudent man covereth shame.Ecclesiastes 7 21-22 Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken lest thou hear thy servant curse thee Matthew 11 6 And blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in me.2 Corinthians 12 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in necessities in persecutions in distresses for Christ s sake for when I am weak then am I strong.Hebrews 12 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous but grievous nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.2 Timothy 2 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth. [He commands us to study the word of truth and become learned. This is how one becomes apt to teach in other words you become much more familiar with God s word by obeying the above command. I ll ask another question. How can you teach something that you are unfamiliar with You can t].Keep studying the complete Bible my friends. If you don t do that now start today.