So, when is anger good and when is it bad? First, we need to understand anger from a Biblical perspective. There are three Greek words used in the New Testament that's often translated as the verb angered. 1) The first is the word "Thumos" which is an agitated feeling which results in outbursts. 2) The next word is "Parorgismos" which is a more thoughtful feeling or "righteous indignation" - a disgust for injustice. 3) The final word is "Aganaktesis" which refers to physical pain or irritation.

It is this first word "Thumos" that I want to deal with when I speak of victory over anger. It's this word that is used in Galatians 5:20 when describing the deeds of the flesh. The King James Version of the Bible translates it as wrath. No matter what the translation there's one thing that is not arguable - "thumoi" in Galatians 5:20 is a work of the flesh and not pleasing to God. We must overcome those feelings. There's no excuse for the Christian to have outbursts of "thumoi" (anger). We cannot wrap our anger with spiritual terminology and parade it as something holy. It's a product of a life lived in the power of the flesh and not the Spirit. It's abominable to God.

Let's call this kind of outburst of anger what it is - sin. A husband yelling at a wife in the name of the Lord is sin. A husband or wife beating a child from an outburst of anger is sin. Christians having outbursts of anger in the work of God is inexcusable. We must recognize the deeds of the flesh and deal with them accordingly.

How then do we overcome anger? If we look at it closely, the cause of much of our anger, we will normally find is a result of deep hurt. We become angry because we feel mistreated or because we have received a raw deal in life. Or perhaps it's because someone has inflicted pain and injury upon us. Therefore, we hold unresolved feelings of bitterness that eventually make their way out of our lives in outbursts of anger. We do and say things that are not in sync with how we would normally respond to people and situations.

There's one story in the Bible that has been a tremendous help to me in overcoming feelings that have been harbored in my heart. Joseph had been treated unjustly by his brothers. If anyone had a reason to become angry, Joseph did. Yet, when he saw his brothers later in life, he responded to them saying, "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good." Joseph understood this great truth. God had a very specific plan for his life. Even though what he had received could have been easily perceived as a "raw deal" in life, he looked beyond his circumstances. He saw God's hand and God's provision. Consequently, he didn't become bitter. There were no outbursts of "thumoi." There was an unbelievable sense of calm, love an peace that filled his heart.

Joseph knew that God was sovereign. He trusted in His reign and rule in His life. I believe that we can overcome those horrible outbursts of anger that plague our lives. We, too, must trust in God as our sovereign Lord. We need to get our focus off our circumstances and onto His omnipotence. We need to see that He is in control. That will only come as we spend time with Him in His Word and in prayer. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. As I spend time in the fullness of His presence, I am at peace. When stormy circumstances engulf my life, I don't have to give into outbursts of anger. I can rest in sweet assurance and peace that God is in control. That gives me victory over anger.