In Galatians 5:20 the next "work of the flesh" noted is "outbursts of anger." Today we would call this "losing your temper" or "going ballistic." Losing control of our anger is a work of the flesh, and like all works of the flesh it will be used as an open door or a "gate of hell" by the devil. Our rage will hurt other people, as well as their respect for us.

Most people know at least one person who tries to control others with their anger. Few things can be more cruel or demeaning for the one who tries to do this, or to the ones who are subjected to it. Is this the kind of dignity that we would expect from someone who truly has authority? Would the Lord ever behave that way? Could anyone who is led by the Holy Spirit behave that way? This is why being "quick tempered" is listed with the other sins and personal problems that will disqualify one from being an elder in the church, as we read in Titus 1:7. One who cannot control his temper is, at best, still in bondage to the "works of the flesh," and must not be appointed as a leader in the church.

Does this mean if someone loses his temper he should immediately be removed from any position of authority in the church? This is a possibility simply because it is a very serious matter, and can be a major open door for the devil to attack God's people. However, the work of the flesh listed in Galatians 5:20 is plural, "outbursts of anger." Everyone has bad days and can be caught off guard when very tired or stressed.

Though any loss of control of our anger should be considered serious, what should be of more concern is seeing a pattern of anger. Is that the normal way this person deals with problems or stress? If the answer is yes, then there is a problem and this person should be disqualified from leadership in the church until it is overcome.

In James 1:19-20 we are told, "...but everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God." This is another reason why an elder cannot be one who is prone to being quick-tempered. An angry, quick-tempered person can intimidate people into submission out of fear, but he will never change their hearts. God does not just want us doing the right things; He wants us to do them because righteousness, or doing right, is in our hearts. The devil tries to control others through intimidation and fear. God imparts truth that sets people free, and He draws us with His love.

This does not mean we can never get angry, or that God does not at times get angry. His anger can grow into wrath, as the world has experienced often, and will yet experience. There are limits to His patience and His mercy, and once those limits are crossed, He does release His judgments. However, at no time does He lose control of His anger, but He controls it, and His response in His anger is righteous and just.

We are told in Proverbs 16:32, "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city." The ability to rule emotions so that we do not ever lose our tempers is one of the most sure signs of true wisdom, maturity, and great spiritual strength. This is required for anyone who would be a leader in the church, but we should also look for this in those who would be given authority in anything.

In Ephesians 4:26-27 we are told, "Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity." To be angry is not a sin if it is for the right reasons. However, to lose control of our anger is a sin regardless of the reason. One reason that many lose control of their anger is because they "let the sun go down on it," or they harbor it for long periods of time and it builds up like steam in a boiler. If there was not a relief valve on a boiler it would become a bomb capable of much destruction. The same is true of our anger.

This is usually the reason why parents lose their temper with their children. Many parents teach their children that they really do not mean "no" until they have said it a number of times and raised their voice to a certain decibel level. They do this because they allow their children to keep pressuring them, and then often give into the pressure. This is one of the most terrible things we can do to our children, and it can negatively affect them their whole lives. This is evil as the Lord said in Matthew 5:37, "But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one" (NKJV).

As a manager, business owner, and now leader of a ministry, I become aware very quickly of any person who cannot follow instructions or who has to be told them repeatedly. I may not fire that person for this, but in many positions I would, and at best they will always be very limited in the authority or responsibility that I can trust them with. There are some in which I might see enough other good qualities that I will try to work with them in this. I may feel sorry for some knowing that it was poor parenting which caused this, but they still cannot be trusted except to the degree that they know how to follow instructions and do not need oversight to insure this.

If we have taught our children that whenever we say "yes" or "no," which is exactly what we mean the first time, they would not be prone to try to pressure and manipulate us into changing our minds. This does not mean that there can be no room for appeal, but if we allow our children to get away with badgering us and nagging because they learn that it can cause us to give into their will in the matter, we are, at best, being negligent in our duties as parents to teach them obedience. Worse, we are also most likely building up a frustration that will boil over into rage at some point. The key is to teach our children to obey us the first time we say it—that our "yes" and "no" really do mean exactly that.

Of course there have been books written on anger management, and the subject is certainly worthy of a book. How much of the death and destruction that the world has suffered has been the result of this one problem? Think about it. Uncontrolled anger does destroy to at least some degree every time it is released. It is therefore paramount that anyone in any leadership position in the church be free from this terrible, demonic inroad.