7/17/22 - How To Overcome Anger - Genesis 27 - Pastor Jason Fritz

Rebekah and Jacob develop a plan to steal the blessing from Esau and have it pronounced on Jacob. But there’s some intense deceit involved. They must take advantage of old dad’s failing senses. Jacob is smooth-skinned and Esau is hairy. Jacob will feel, smell and sound like Esau if they are successful. Jacob is not convinced of the plan, but not because he doesn’t want it, instead, he thinks it could backfire. He worries their deception will be discovered and dad will curse him. Mom says, “No, my favored son, we are making this happen and I will take responsibility!” The plan is enormously successful. But it also has unintended consequences. Esau is raging with anger and will not be satisfied until he takes revenge. However, Esau must take responsibility for his own misguided actions.   See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.  -Hebrews 12:15-17 This is an incredibly insightful commentary from the author of Hebrews. What’s being said is this - it was Esau’s love for himself that created his anger. You see, anger is always tied to that which you love. Now that may sound strange to you but it’s true. Anger is always an outgrowth of love. The more intense the anger, the more your true love is revealed. Think about it, when you read of an innocent person being falsely imprisoned, or alternatively someone who is guilty yet they escape justice - you might say, “Well that shouldn’t be happening, that’s wrong.” Your next thought is, “What do I want for lunch?” But when the boss calls you in to work on a Saturday you seethe with rage for hours or even days. Don’t you see the cause of your anger is what you love the most - and that’s you, your time, your freedom, your stuff. Thankfully, God’s Word gives us a threefold strategy. 1. Be aware of your anger, 2. Bring it before the throne of God and 3. Consider the grace of God in your life.