“Untangling Anger” (“Tangled” #5)

Inspired by Matthew 5:21-26 Dr. Troy begins with a close look at the text and its corrective stand on the interpretation of the Law of Moses embraced by the people of Israel. From there the sermon unfolds with three profound insights.

Point 1: Jesus understood that anger begins in emotion, but can often end in devastation.

“We live in the age of outrage” exclaims Pastor Troy. Outrage and division have become trendy so social media is overflowing with vitriol. Unfortunately, this often serves to distract us from the issues that deserve our attention. Troy explains the difference between two Greek words that are translated as “anger”; thumos and orge. The first is an anger that passes quickly but the word found in Matthew, orge, is anger that simmers perpetually. Jesus says, “From the abundance of the human heart the mouth speaks. (Lk 6:45). If orge simmers within the heart then it will manifest in 3 ways:

Compulsion- Ekay, to be inconsiderate without justification

Condescension- Raka, to make another feel intellectually inferior

Condemnation- Moros, to call someone to experience punishment

Unchecked anger will reveal itself as it overflows from our mouths with devastating consequences.

Point 2: Jesus knew that we cannot patch up our lives externally when the problem begins internally.

In Jesus’ day, the belief was that a sacrifice brought before God would result in God’s forgiveness; a transaction similar to that of a McDonald’s purchase. Of course, the problem Jesus saw was the impotence of such a belief to effect any transformation. Carl Jung said, “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will rule your life and you will call it Fate.” God does not desire transaction, he requires transformation. God does not seek remittance but relationship. External practices cannot solve internal problems but a relationship with the One who loves us can!

Point 3: Jesus shows us that reconciliation is the greatest demonstration of one’s transformation.

Pastor asks, “Do I want to WIN the battle – or do I want to end the war?” Jesus reveals time after time that the life of God’s Kingdom is not about BEING RIGHT but about RIGHT BEING!” Human nature often seeks retaliation over reconciliation; a path that follows the myth of redemptive violence. Dr. Troy tells us that “escalation, retaliation – never leads to transformation.” Those with the courage to self-evaluate and who answer God’s call to transformative relationship will be healed from a heart of hellish anger to wholeness and peace. “Blessed are the peacemakers for they are regarded as children of God.” (Mt 5:9)