Title: The Lion s Den Text: Daniel 6 Read Verses: (1-4, 10-11, 13-14, 16, 19-23). Pray Introduction: Has anyone ever just plain done you wrong? Maybe someone hurt you or someone that you love? How did that make you feel? Angry maybe? Some synonyms of anger: annoyance, irritation, resentment, antagonism, fury, rage, and wrath. One angry outburst can cause tremendous damage to ourselves our families, employment, and our reputation. Today we will look at the story of Daniel and see what principles we can learn about dealing with our anger. The Setting: Summarize Daniel 6:1-20 Daniel was a man of character and had an excellent spirit (See Daniel 1:4-21). Proverbs 16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. The Lion s Den: What Triggers Anger? Justifiable Reasons- when something that is legitimate in upsetting us. If the issue is not a genuine reason, that we have a warning- That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. Matthew 5:22 1
Unjustifiable Reasons- something done that is trivial or even our own fault. Maybe it was something silly? Ask yourself if the issue is worth losing your cool and possibly costing much more. Read article (1)- yellow. Daniel did nothing wrong, but was put in a deadly situation. Would he be justified to be angry? Would you? Matthew 5:10-12 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Maybe You are in the Lion s Den now? Psalm 35:17 Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions. Psalm 57:4 My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. The Rescue- How Did Daniel Manage His Emotions? Summarize Daniel 6:21-23 Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Not retaliate. Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 2
Long spirited or short spirit (a short fuse and short temper). Galatians 5:22-23, The Message But what happens when we live God s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Anger Management We need to manage our temper or our temper will manage us! James 1:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. The end does not justify the means. The process to Cool Down, Cool Off, Relax, Count to ten, Count to twenty, or even Count to one hundred, is important. Emotional maturity means that we have self-control and know when to let it go. #@*%%! Watch our Words Have you been a meeting or at a family function went you heard someone blow their top? The sounds are not pretty. It is very hard to take our words back, so it is important that we watch our words. Remember that A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. Proverbs 15:1 3
Some good advice is to put off and throw away our angry words Now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Colossians 3:8 Another key is to take responsibility and apologize to those affected by our angry outbursts. Matthew 5:38-39 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. Matthew 5:21-24 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Matthew 6:12-15 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Make it right. Overcome with God s Help! Summarize hoe things turned out for Daniel. Read article (2)- green. 4
Hebrews 11:33 Hall of Fame of Faith Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. Romans 12:18-21 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. God took care of the situation. Matthew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. We need to manage our temper or our temper will manage us! Let us not blow our tops! What choice will you make today? 5
In Closing: Proverbs 14:29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. Proverbs 19:11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. Proverbs 25:28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. Ecclesiastes 7:8-9 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. Invitation (Two Parts): For Salvation? Jesus loves you! To have a release, forgiveness, and a Christ-like Spirit. Let Us Pray 6