Uzziah learned too late that explosive, angry behavior is never constructive. It not only hurts the person to whom it is directed, but it destroys the self-esteem of the perpetrators who are out of control. In the heat of such angry explosions, people say and do things they later regret. Undisciplined anger that expresses itself in verbal and physical explosions will ultimately destroy relationships. The person on the receiving end loses respect for the person who is out of control and will eventually just avoid them.

Some years ago, it was a popular belief in certain psychological circles that releasing anger by aggressive behavior could be a positive way of processing anger. Angry people were encouraged to take their aggression out on pillows or golf balls. However, research now indicates that the venting of angry feelings with such aggressive behaviors does not drain a person’s anger but makes the person more likely to be explosive in the future. Explosion, whether verbal or physical, is not an acceptable way of handling one’s anger.

Take time to pray and ask God to make known to you the people who have been hurt by your anger so that you may make amends. Ask Him to give you the wisdom and self-control to express your anger in a way that honors Him.

Discuss and reflect on these questions:

How would you respond to someone who argued that some people are born with fiery tempers and that there’s nothing wrong with it?

What’s the worst thing your anger has ever caused you to do?

What can your spouse do to help you keep your anger in check? How can you help your spouse?

Consider these passages for further study on anger:

Psalm 37:8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
    do not fret—it leads only to evil.

Proverbs 14:29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,
but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.

Matthew 5:21-24

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,^[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ ²² But I tell you that anyone angry with a brother or sister^[b][c] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’^[d] is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

²³ “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there in front of the altar. First, go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

2 Chronicles 26:16-19

But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. ¹⁷ Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the Lord followed him in. ¹⁸ They confronted King Uzziah and said, “It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord. That is for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honored by the Lord God.”

¹⁹ Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry. While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the Lord’s temple, leprosy^[a] broke out on his forehead.

Great thoughts of Gary Chapman. Anger is an emotion we all have and knowing ways to use it effectively can build relationships stronger. Knowing how to manage and learn from others can make you a stronger person. Pray for the extreme times when you need this strength to make sure you are making wise decisions when your emotions are high.

At that moment, though, Jesus was less concerned with what the woman deserved and more concerned with what she needed. She did not need judgment. She had already been tried and convicted in the court of public opinion. What she needed was kindness.

Jesus refused to side with her accusers. Instead He issued a simple declaration: “Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” (John 8:7). As sinners ourselves, the last thing we should be demanding is that other sinners get what they “deserve.” If we have received God’s mercy and salvation, how can we ignore Jesus’ words and actions in John 8?

Jesus treated the woman with kindness, despite her sin. In doing so, e set the example for everyone who follows Him. We are not asked to condone other people’s actions, but we are asked to show them God’s kindness and love.

Take time to pray asking God:

• To teach you to judge others less and to show mercy more;
• To help you speak powerful words of kindness and love, especially to the powerless;
• To open your eyes to see opportunities for condemnation as chances for redemption.

Reflect on these questions:

• When have you received the style of mercy Jesus showed?
• How did that experience change you?
• Who in your circle desperately needs words of hope and kindness?

Consider these passages for further study on words:

Psalm 15:1-5

A psalm of David.

¹ Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
    Who may live on your holy mountain?

² The one whose walk is blameless,
    who does what is righteous,
    who speaks the truth from their heart;
³ whose tongue utters no slander,
    who does no wrong to a neighbor,
    and casts no slur on others;
⁴ who despises a vile person
    but honors those who fear the Lord;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
    and does not change their mind;
⁵ who lends money to the poor without interest;
    who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

Whoever does these things
    will never be shaken.

Proverbs 10:32

The lips of the righteous know what finds favor,
    but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.

James 4:11-12

Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister^[a] or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. ¹² There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

John 8:1-11

but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

² At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. ³ The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group ⁴ and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. ⁵ In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” ⁶ They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. ⁷ When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” ⁸ Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

⁹ At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. ¹⁰ Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

¹¹ “No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”