Uncontrolled anger has been a problem that has plagued mankind almost since the beginning of time. It was at the core as to why Cain killed his brother Abel (Genesis 4:1-8). It is probably very unlikely that there is anyone here who will get so angry with someone that it will lead them to murder. What do we do when we get angry? The Bible does not teach that it is a sin to be angry. In fact, there are several times in the Bible when God gets angry (Numbers 11:1; Mark 3:5). God put within us the same ability to get angry that He possesses. But we must understand that God has certain expectations for us when it comes to our anger (Ephesians 4:26-27).

Maybe a good way to get control of this powerful emotion and channel it in a way that will please God is to address the question of: why do we even get angry? 2 Kings 5 will serve as a good case study for us to consider as we attempt to tackle this vital question. In this chapter, we find three men who answered this question the wrong way.

When it comes from a heart full of suspicion (2 Kings 5:1-7).

  • When Jehoram receives a letter from the king of Syria requesting that Naaman be healed, he gets angry and overacts. The letter was just probably poorly worded.
  • Jehoram’s anger came from having a suspicious heart!
    • Jehoram should have known that only God can read hearts (1 Kings 8:39).
    • Real love doesn’t assume the worst in the words and actions of others (1 Corinthians 13:7).
    • Jehoram was guilty of unfairly judging another (James 4:11). He was angry, not because Naaman or the king of Syria did something wrong, but because of his suspicious and distrustful heart.

When it comes from a heart full of pride (2 Kings 5:8-14).

  • Naaman was a great and powerful man, but this disease of leprosy really stained his life. Elisha the prophet had a solution to this problem. He told Naaman to go and dip seven times in the Jordan River.
  • Naaman got angry about these instructions! His anger came from having a heart full of pride!
    • Pride is a destroyer (Proverbs 16:18). Our pride cannot be more important than our salvation (Mark 16:16).
    • Naaman had to take away his pride in order to be healed (2 Kings 5:13-14).

When it comes from a heart full of greed (2 Kings 5:15-27).

  • Gehazi is angry because he didn’t want a Syrian to be blessed by God and because Elisha refused to take compensation for the services performed.
  • Gehazi’s anger led him to lie, steal and lie again! We must learn from his mistake.

Conclusion: Hopefully after studying their example, we will be more equipped to get control of our anger and become more like Jesus.