Swatting the Fly of Anger

Ed Silvoso, founder of Harvest Evangelism, tells the story of a pastor, who one day, was walking along the seashore. As he was trying to enjoy the scenery, a swarm of flies began bothering him.

“There is a spiritual truth here,” the Lord said. “Understand the life cycle of the fly and you will begin to understand how to get rid of negative spiritual issues in your life.” Upon investigation, the pastor found that the life cycle of the adult fly is 21 days in the summer. The larva stage of the fly is a few days while the pupa stage is three to seven days. The truth then became clear. If you can get rid of a fly and its offspring, then the cycle of the fly’s generation is broken and you will be rid of all flies.

The lord then told the pastor to proclaim truth for forty days. He then specifically told the pastor to take an area of his life in which he wanted freedom. Find forty key biblical verses in that area and proclaim them as truth for forty days.

Here are verses to help that help proclaim truth over the fly of anger.

Psalm 4:4 In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.

Psalm 37:8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret- it leads only to evil.

Proverbs 14:17 A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated.

Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15:18 A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.

Proverbs 19:11 A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 22:24-25 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.

Proverbs 25:15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

Proverbs 27:4 Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?

Proverbs 29:8 Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger.

Proverbs 29:11 A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.

Proverbs 30:33 For as churning the milk produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife.

Ecclesiastes 7:8-9 The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.

Ecclesiastes 10:4 If a ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great errors to rest.

Mark 7:21-22 For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.

1 Corinthians 5:8 Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.

2 Corinthians 6:4-6 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonment
and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;

2 Corinthians 12:20 For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Ephesians 4:26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,

Ephesians 4:31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Philippians 4:5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Colossians 1:11 -12 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

1 Timothy 2:8 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

1 Timothy 6:11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

James 1:19-20 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

1 Peter 2:1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.

1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

2 Peter 1:4-7 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.