Defeating the Spirit of Anger
Do you ever find yourself walking in regret when it comes to reacting in anger? If so, let’s take a journey and discuss how to recognize the spirit of anger within yourself and break free from the destructive behavior it leaves in its wake.
“He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”—Proverbs 16:32 (emphasis added)
Once it is recognized, you can learn how to break free from the destructive spirit of anger and replace it with the authority of God’s Holy Spirit.
Identifying the Spirit of Anger
You are created with a body, soul, and spirit.
- Body—Your body is physical, meaning it can be seen and touched. Your body is what responds physically to the temptations of the world. Your body is designed to carry out a Kingdom purpose.
- Soul—Your soul is made up of your mind, will, and emotions. Just as it is with your body, your soul is designed by God for a purpose. This means that God gave you a mind to think as well as free will to make decisions. It is in our minds that the battle with the supernatural world begins.
- Spirit—Ultimately, your spirit-man craves alignment with the Lord. If you are a follower of Jesus, Yeshua in Hebrew, then you have the option of filling your spirit with the power and authority of God’s Holy Spirit. On the other hand, your Adamic nature seeks the flesh. It is where the spirit of anger seeks to overtake so that you begin walking by the flesh rather than the Spirit.
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”—1 Corinthians 6:19-20
This phenomenon has been depicted for decades in cartoons and comics. An angel placed on one shoulder and a devil on the other. Although this is a silly rendering, it gives you a glimpse into the reality of the spiritual realm. This is how Believers become vulnerable to the spirit of anger attacks.
- “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”—Ephesians 6:12
Anger begins in the soul. There is a constant dialogue happening in your soul, and you must be able to recognize who is speaking. That is how you can decipher whether or not it is true.
Ultimately, the spirit of anger is an assignment from the enemy to throw confusion into your life and rob you of the peace of God. But you can defeat it through the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony.
How to Tell When You Are Giving the Spirit of Anger Authority in Your Life
Do your thoughts align with God’s Word?
The best way to realize that you are allowing the spirit of anger to have authority in your life is to be familiar with God’s Word. From there, you can see if your thoughts and actions align with His truth.
- “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”—James 1:19-20 (emphasis added)
All too often, however, Believers mistake familiarity with God’s Word for a relationship with Messiah. Instead, we should seek to become more and more like Christ. This means to adopt His ways and His thoughts.
- “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”—1 John 2:6
The Correct Response When Dealing with the Spirit of Anger
If you notice that the spirit of anger has a stronghold in your life, there is good news… it doesn’t have to anymore! Through the blood of the Lamb and the gift of His Spirit, you can overcome the spirit of anger.
The first thing to remember after you have reacted in anger is to seek forgiveness. Ask the Lord and the one with whom you reacted in anger, for forgiveness. By asking for forgiveness, you are no longer agreeing with the spirit of anger, but aligning with the Spirit of God.
Three Truths to Remember When Dealing with the Spirit of Anger…
- It is not a person or group of people that is causing your anger. Anger is stirred up by a supernatural principality that is working to discredit you. This spirit will push you to lose your temper and behave according to the flesh rather than the Spirit. The spirit of anger never brings a sense of peace.
- The deep roots of your anger may go back for several generations in your family line. You must combat those deep-rooted lies with God’s truth. The spirit of anger grows more destructive with time, and unless it is defeated, it will wreak havoc for future generations in your family line.
- When you feel the spirit of anger rising, take that moment to pause. Excuse yourself and walk away from the situation or count to ten. Use that break to call on the Holy Spirit for direction. Decide to fight the temptation of coming into agreement with the spirit of anger. Grace will never cross the bridge of anger.
Defeat the Spirit of Anger through the Power of the Spoken Word
You must understand that your words have power! The words you speak will affect the atmosphere around you, whether it be for good or bad. Remember, things multiply according to their kind, so speak words of life and peace if you want life and peace.
- “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”—Proverbs 18:21
We are in the middle of the Hebrew year 5780, which is the year of the spoken word. Believers will be held accountable for every word they speak. Your words are your choice, a choice that impacts your walk in the fullness of your salvation. Choose to speak love!
A Prayer to Defeat the Spirit of Anger
“Father God, I confess that I have allowed myself to be consumed by the spirit of anger. As a result, Your blessings and truth have been blocked. I recognize that the spirit of anger walks hand in hand with the spirit of unforgiveness. In order to walk in the freedom of Your forgiveness, I must be willing to forgive others. Thank you, Lord, for the victory that I carry within me through Your gift of the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, I ask for direction and conviction as it pertains to the spirit of anger operating in my life. Reveal to me the people that have been hurt by my anger and my words. Allow me the strength and humility to ask for forgiveness from them. Lord, I praise You that Your mercies are new each and every day. I ask for Your guidance as I continue to walk through this challenge. I declare victory over the spirit of anger in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach. Amen.”