Anger...

In many ways, this is not easy to write.  This has forced me to think deeply, study diligently, and repent frequently.  Anger is not a simple subject to deal with.  Actually, it may not be that difficult, but it is extremely difficult for me.  You see, I struggle with anger and to be honest, it feels good to admit it.  It is something that I have battled since childhood.  There are times when I get so angry that I feel as if I am going to turn into the Incredible Hulk and destroy anything and everything that gets in my way.  There are times, for no reason at all, I want to scream and shout and turn into a fire-breathing dragon and spew fire on anyone and everyone.  I justify my behavior by blaming others, by blaming circumstances, or by blaming any other thing that takes the guilt off me.  The sad reality is that I do not have anyone or anything to blame but myself.  Thankfully, I can go to the Bible and get help.  I can go to the book of Ephesians and get some advice from the Apostle Paul.  Ephesians 4:26-27 really helps.  Let’s dive into this passage and see how. 

 

First of all, verse 26 tells us to be angry.  Wait!  We are allowed to be angry?    Before we get too “jacked up” in our thinking, let’s define what this means.  Anger is not always a bad thing.  There are times when anger is good.  For example, when Jesus saw that the so-called “righteous people” were extorting money from people in the temple, He got angry.  In Mark 3, Jesus expressed righteous anger at the hard-heartedness of the Pharisees (so-called “righteous people”) who did not like it that Jesus healed a man with a messed up hand on the Sabbath.  We are allowed to be angry at things like injustice (child abuse, sex trafficking poverty, hunger, etc.), immorality, and ungodliness.  

But we cannot stop the discussion here because that is not where Paul ended his statement.  He said, “Be angry and DO NOT SIN…”  Sinful anger is anger that is only being expressed for the purpose of you; it is self-defensive and self-serving.  This type of anger, according to Matthew 5:21-22, leads to murder and judgment.  This type of anger has no place in the life of someone who is a follower of Jesus Christ.  This type of anger must be dealt with; it must be given to God.   

To recap, anger that is unselfish, and is based on a love for God and a concern for others not only is allowed but is commanded.  John MacArthur says this, “Genuine love cannot help being angered at that which injures the object of that love.”  Let’s be angry, but let’s not sin.

Tomorrow, we will continue to look at this passage from Ephesians 4 regarding anger.  Blessings for now!