Stuff Jesus Said - don't be angry

I figured that if Jesus said it, it's pretty important, so we're going to be looking at some of the teachings of Jesus. 

Matthew 5:21-22
“You have heard that it was said to our people long ago, ‘You must not murder anyone. Any person who commits murder will be judged.’ But I tell you, don’t be angry with anyone. If you are angry with others, you will be judged. And if you insult someone, you will be judged by the high court. And if you call someone a fool, you will be in danger of the fire of hell."

God commanded his people not to commit murder when he gave Moses the Ten Commandments, but Jesus told them that they shouldn't even be angry with others. We live in a culture driven by rage. Everyone is angry about something (or everything) - basketball referees, work, your English assignment, your Science teacher, the kid who looked at you sideways, cyclists, plastic straws, paper straws...

Proverbs 29:11 says, Fools are quick to express their anger, but wise people are patient and control themselves.

Ephesians 4:26
When you are angry, don’t let that anger make you sin, and don’t stay angry all day.

When I was a kid, we were encouraged to count to ten when we were angry, which gave us an opportunity to calm down before acting on our anger. People often regret or get into trouble for acting on their anger. You can't take back cruel words, physical violence or wilful damage. When you are angry, take some deep breaths, count to ten (or 100), go for a walk (if it's safe to do so) and pray before responding.