Name It and Claim It
Words of Faith 6-29-26
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2026
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Nehemiah 5
[6] When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry. [7] I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them, "You are exacting usury from your own countrymen!" So I called together a large meeting to deal with them [8] and said: "As far as possible, we have bought back our Jewish brothers who were sold to the Gentiles. Now you are selling your brothers, only for them to be sold back to us!" They kept quiet because they could find nothing to say. [9] So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies? [10a] I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain...

There is a time to be angry. But how do you deal with that sort of anger? Nehemiah gives us a good model. Nehemiah was angry because some in Jerusalem were taking advantage of others. But he did not take it for granted that he was "right." He observed that some were making great sacrifices, while others were making the most of the situation for selfish reasons. He felt angry. Dealing with that anger correctly was a matter of critical concern.

Many Christians believe that there is no place for anger in the life of the believer. If that is so, then Jesus would have made a very poor Christian. Jesus was clearly angry at times (Mark 3:5) and was even known to turn over a table or two in the Temple when it needed to be done.

There is such a thing as righteous anger. This is not a selfish anger. It is not a misdirected anger. This is not anger about something else that is dumped on the wrong person. This is anger concerning the things of God that is then expressed appropriately and seeks either justice, reconciliation, or both.

Look at the model we see in Nehemiah for dealing with his anger.

1st - Nehemiah identified the anger and named it. He focused on the emotion and claimed it. He did not make a religious euphemism about his feelings. He was not “puzzled” or “perplexed." He did not write a memo about his “concern” or “disappointment." He was angry. He knew himself well enough to name it. He was angry. In fact, he was very angry.

2nd - Nehemiah “pondered” the matter in his mind. He did not immediately assume that he was “right” about all this. The Hebrew word means “to take counsel with oneself." This is where Nehemiah stepped back and made certain he was on the right track.

The key to a Godly response is not “to ever have anger,” but to be sure we are angry at the right things and not at the wrong things. Is our anger selfish? Is our anger petty? Is our anger really about something else? Is the anger about some other wound? Wisdom teaches us not to flare with anger but to take counsel with ourselves. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools (Eccl 5:6; 7:9).

3rd - Nehemiah confronted the offenders. Nehemiah went first to the “nobles and officials” who had been involved before calling a larger meeting.

It is amazing how closely this parallels the teaching of Jesus. Jesus taught that when a brother or sister has sinned against you, we are to go and show that person their fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother or sister over. Jesus also directed that if such an offender will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. Finally, if a person who has sinned against you refuses to listen to them, “tell it to the church”, that is, seek the authority of the Body of Christ to intervene. Those who refuse to listen even to the authority of the church forfeit the privilege of close fellowship and are to be treated “as you would a pagan or a tax collector”, that is, with prayer and compassion but not with a trusted place of authority (Matthew 18:15-17).

Is there something you are angry about? Name it. Claim it. Take counsel within yourself about it. Approach it correctly by going first to the person who has sinned.

Father God, teach me the patience of conflict resolution. Teach me to be a peacemaker. Keep me from being a peace breaker. Give me the courage not to be a peace-faker. Help me to deal with righteous anger and especially give me the wisdom to know the difference. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2025
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2025 Jeffrey D. Hoy.