Anger and Temper-Tantrums

To correct temper-tantrums we need a Biblical definition and understanding of anger. (First read part one called Mommies and Temper-Tantrums.)

We think of anger as getting mad. This is only partially true. In the Bible, it’s a strong feeling against sin; a righteous judgement against sin. Anger is not a sin, uncontrollable anger is. Correct anger has a cause.

The Scriptures don’t tell us NOT to get angry, the Lord Jesus expressed anger, as it related to his grief over sin.

Mark 3:5

And when He had looked round about on them with anger,

being grieved for the hardness of their hearts,

The Lord Jesus acted in righteous anger when He removed sin from the Temple. It wasn’t a quiet scene that day, with animals bleating and stampeding, the coins and tables flying through the air.

John 2:15

And when he had made a scourge of small cords,

he drove them all out of the temple,

and the sheep, and the oxen;

and poured out the changers’ money,

and overthrew the tables;

The Bible tells us how and when to be angry.

Ephesians 4:26

Be angry, and sin not:

let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Incorrect anger needs to be removed.

Colossians 3:8

But now you yourselves are to put off all these:

anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

Need help in judging what anger needs to be removed? Look at the companions of incorrect anger, malice, blasphemy, and filthy language. We might not be spouting off foul words, but we might use unkind, harmful or damaging words.

Understanding the Biblical definition of anger, let’s apply this to parenting. Correct anger would be used to judge our children’s sin. It would also be correct to be angry when someone else sins against our children or exposes them to sin. We can be angry at situations or people that blaspheme the Lord Jesus Christ.

The error comes in how we handle the anger. Used correctly, anger is discerning and wise, desiring only the best for our own spiritual lives and the lives of others around us.

Pray for spiritual understanding as you study the passages in Scripture that deal with anger.

Anger that brings about righteous behavior is correct anger. Anger that erupts in a temper-tantrum is incorrect.

Ask for wisdom as you parent, so that you will know how to be angry, but sin not.

Comments

Christen says

August 5, 2010 at 5:06 am

I will so be coming to you for advice when I am a mother someday! I just love reading your wise thoughts.

~ Tandis ~ says

August 4, 2010 at 8:53 pm

I was watching and waiting for this post. 🙂 Thanks so much. Today has been a much better day and I am very thankful to the Lord for it. Tomorrow might be another struggle but I'm praying with this blog in mind that I am able to deal with it without the sin of boiled over anger.

Anger and Temper-Tantrums

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NCWA Member

Thrilled and Humbled to Have Been

Contributing Author To

The Christian Writer’s Coach

I’d love your friendship as I write through life’s moments.