Part 1 | Change My Pattern of Anger
2 Timothy 1:7 | August 17, 2025
Dr. Mark S. Hartman, Lead Pastor – SCBC
1. EMOTIONS ARE ALL ABOUT THE MIND.
A. 2 Timothy 1:7 God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
B. 2 Timothy 1:7 says that God wants us to have a sound mind. A sound mind is honest about the problems. It doesn’t deny the truth about problems, but it is more focused on the promises God has made to us. It's not looking at how big the challenge is, it's looking at how big our God is. It's not bitter over closed doors, it expects God to open the right door at the right time. It is the way God created us to live: realistic, at peace, trusting.
2. WE CAN CHANGE WHAT WE THINK AND HOW WE REACT.
A. No matter how you have responded for your entire life, you can completely change.
B. SWITCH ON YOUR BRAIN: The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking and Health (Dr. Caroline Leaf)
C. Romans 12:2 Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
D. 2 Corinthians 10:5 …we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
E. Proverbs 29:11, 20 A fool always loses his temper, but a wise man holds it back. 20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
F. Proverbs 16:32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit (mind), than he who captures a city.
3. SIX STEPS TO DEVELOPING CONTROL OVER ANGER.
1. Decide that you really want to control your anger.
2. Cool down before addressing any issue.
Proverbs 29:11 A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.
3. Ask questions to better understand the other person’s perspective.
Proverbs 18:13 He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.
4. Attack the issue not the person.
1. Ephesians 4:15 By speaking the truth in the spirit of love we grow up in every way in Christ.
2. When you are dealing with the problem, find common ground, as much as is possible.
3. Romans 12:18 Do everything possible, on your part, to live at peace with all people.
4. James 3:17 Wisdom is peace loving and courteous. It allows discussion. It is willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It is wholehearted and straightforward and sincere.
5. Look for a win / win solution.
5. Build my closest relationships with others who know how to control their anger.
1. Proverbs 22:24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person. Do not associate with one easily angered or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.
2. Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
6. Keep growing in your relationship with Christ.
1. Romans 5:5 …God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.
2. Philippians 2:5 Let this same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.
This is an amazing promise: you can have the same mind as Jesus did.