What is Carnality? Part 3

Today, we look at a sure sign of carnality: a fit of anger. One can be sure that anger reveals a carnal heart. Of course, there is a righteous anger much like Jesus exhibited when He cleared the temple of the money changers. Anger that is not the result of violating God's law is generally carnal anger. Candidly, the fruits of one's life will demonstrate the truth of the intent of one's heart in expressing anger.

From the pen of E. G. Marsh, we learn the following:

Let us now meet one of Mr. Old Man’s most fully grown sons, his overgrown son, Anger. He is easily recognized. His traits are so outstanding and so well known that there is little difficulty in knowing him wherever he appears. His outward appearance is contrastive to that of his sisters, Pride and Hidden Offence.

He is outspoken, red-faced, rough in his ways, has fiery eyes, well-developed feet and fists, a well-sharpened tongue, has a powerful muscular system, etc., etc. Notwithstanding these traits, he is of one heart and blood with his sisters, Pride and . They are known to love one another greatly. He is indeed very proud of them and they are proud of him. All get their distinguishing traits from their father, the very popular and famous citizen of the land of sin, Mr. Old Man. Sometimes they all go out to church together. This affords father Old Man great pleasure as he sits in the best pew or in the Amen Corner, or stands in the pulpit and watches his children in their church activities.

Anger, in its root meaning, has the thought of a pent-up state or condition. May be likened to the condition of the inside of a mountain before the eruption of lava takes place. How true is this of the natural human heart! And how often the eruption does take place right in the home, in society, in the church. Mr. Old Man uses his beloved son Anger in openly opposing the work of God. He delights in destroying the peace of the home, of social meetings, of the church. He is very apt in the work of cursing, of cruelty to man and beast, of hatred, of scandal, of murder. Mr. Anger breaks up homes, fills prisons, maims and abuses children, splits up churches and helps to populate hell. He is not only a favorite of his father, Mr. Old Man, but also of his grandfather, Mr. Devil.

Certainly the disposition of Mr. Anger, like his sisters, Pride and , is contrary to the spirit of love. Anger has the spirit of ill will, of hate, of revenge, of murder. This child of the Old Man is a foe of the Bible. He greatly hates for us to read: “In their anger they slew a man . . . . cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel.” -- Gen. 49:6,7. Also he has a cruel hatred for Eph. 4:31 because this condemns him and some of his beloved brothers. “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.”

He has a hearty grudge against these words of holy writ, “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath.” He shows off also in a spirit that gratifies his father, when one preaches from the text: “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.” He has declared war on all who preach the Word without fear and favor. And has a special hatred for those who preach that his father should be put to death.

Some reasons Mr. Anger may show himself: (True statements from verified testimonies.) The baby cried; The dog got off the leash; Somebody drank my beer; The car would not start; Children are late for school again; Called a liar; Food was scorched; Clean floor was tracked; The cake tasted like sawdust; Dinner was late; Alarm clock did not go off; Car would not start; Sister argued with me; Boss wouldn't listen to me; Husband invited a guest to dinner; Car has flat tire; My car was dented in the parking lot; The boss was unreasonable; Neighbor’s dogs got into my flowerbed; Too many T. V. reruns; Business is slow; The debts were not paid; Got cut off in traffic; I was contradicted; My friend went out with a rival; Mother played favorites; Brother had the larger piece of pie; Had to work instead of going fishing; Cats got on the table; Friend ate the last piece of pizza; Cell phone would not work; Lost too much at the Casino; Light bulb burnt out; Got traffic ticket (These are just a few of the many manifestations of anger. Perhaps you can add some more modern ones to the list.)

Carnal anger is ugly. I preached a message years ago that presented an uncomfortable truth. If someone speaks an angry harsh word to you, remember that Jesus said that it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. There are more angry words reserved for you. So when someone spews anger and hatred to you, remember that there is a lot more left in the heart from where it came from. The only cure for carnal anger is eradication. Holiness, that is entire sanctification, is not suppression of the carnal trait. It is killing the carnal trait. When it is killed, it is dead. Reading friend, has your carnal heart been crucified and dead? Or, do you merely suppress the anger and live and up and down experience. God, through Jesus Christ, has a better way for you.