Cure for a Culture of Anger – 3

Posted Nov 14, 07:02 AM by Kay Camenisch

If there is indeed a Culture of Anger (see former blog), and if I want to be part of changing that, I need to learn to love. Our tendency is to respond to anger with anger, but two Bible verses give us direction otherwise. “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:21 KJV) and “A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger” (Prov 15:1 NASB).

It’s pretty awesome if you think about it. God tells us that anger—the artificial power we depend on—can be turned away with just a gentle answer. We think of gentleness and goodness as signs of weakness, but they are the way to overcome. They are the more powerful. A confirming verse tells us that “Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions” (Prov 10:12 NASB). Love is stronger than anger.

At the COPE (Coalition of Prison Evangelists) Conference in September, several people who came by our table reported that they once had problems with anger. I asked each one how he found freedom. One man responded, “God surrounded me with kind people.” I pumped him to get the rest of the story, but he had no more to share. He found freedom from anger because he was surrounded with kindness.

We know a soft answer turns away wrath, but this man’s testimony indicates that a culture of kindness can also help an individual overcome a problem with anger. Does it then follow that a Culture of Kindness/Love can conquer a Culture of Anger?

God is sovereign, He made us, He knows our inner workings, and He has a plan. If we obey His directives, we can make a difference. He tells us, “Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return” (Luke 6:38 NASB). We frequently hear sermons on this in connection with finances, but it is planted in the midst of verses concerning relationships. It follows commands to love our enemies, to bless those who curse us, to pray for those who mistreat us, to offer the other cheek, to treat others as we want to be treated, to love our enemies, and to not judge, but to pardon, and more.

I believe God is saying to us that if we give love, blessings, prayers, pardon, forgiveness, kindness, and such, we can expect the same in return. In other words, as we give to others relationally, it will be given back to us. If we dish out judgment and bitterness, we will receive judgment, bitterness (and anger) in return—in abundance. If we give love and kindness, they will also be returned in abundance.

If we are concerned about the Culture of Anger that we find around us, there is something we can do about it. Since love covers sin, and we overcome evil with good, all we have to do is love our enemies and do good to them. It sounds simple, and it’s clear in the Word. Why is it not working? Why is the Culture of Anger apparently growing?

Could it be because we haven’t taken these verses seriously? Do we love our enemies and do good to them? Consistently? I confess that my love pool is often shallow and sometimes runs dry.

I know that Christ lives in me, and His love is unending. If He is love and He lives in me, my love should not run dry. With His help I can be what I need to be in order to make a difference. If I run shallow and dry up, it points out the fact that I’m not allowing my Lord free reign in my life. I need to be broken so His love and light can shine through me and overcome the darkness in me around me. I need to decrease so that He can increase.

Our hope is not based on the condition of the world. Jesus Christ has conquered the world. We don’t even need to worry about the Culture of Anger and trying to change it. However, if we’re going to be instruments of change, we may need to work a little harder at obeying God by giving love (expressed in forgiveness, blessings, prayer, and such that are mentioned in Luke 6). As love, expressed in all those ways, returns full measure, pressed down, and running over, there won’t be room for a Culture of Anger.

“You have heard that it has been said, You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.” (Mat 5:43-45a KJV)