To Be or Not To Be...Angry

Have you ever known anyone who was never angry?

If so, you have either not known that person very long, or you have found a truly remarkable individual. Anger is a natural human response.

Most often, however, the Bible describes human anger as evil, something to avoid. Yes, it is true that God was sometimes angry. Jesus was also angry. Yet, divine anger does not justify the anger of man. Some have correctly described God’s anger as righteous anger.

The Apostle Paul taught, “Be angry and do not sin.” (Ephesians 4:26) Yet, we should not think that Paul promoted anger, but rather that he encouraged Christians to deal with their anger before it became sin. The remainder of the verse says, “do not let the sun go down on your anger.” The simple point: Do not allow your anger to go unresolved because unresolved anger is sin.

God’s anger is always just. It is right for God to be angry at a nation, a city, or an individual who opposes Him or who harms His people. God is pure and holy. To oppose God, even in disbelief, opposes all that is good and true. Jesus was angry, but His anger was rooted in His zeal for God and for the temple of God. So, is it possible for us to be angry like God? Like Jesus?

When children are disobedient and show dishonor, is parental anger justified? If that anger is grounded on biblical teaching and is not merely a selfish and impulsive response, “Yes,” that anger toward one’s child is justified and should be followed by appropriate discipline and instruction. The simple reason is that God instructs children to be obedient to their parents. That anger is justified.

When a co-worker or acquaintance uses God’s name in profanity, or the government legalizes sin, is anger justified? If motivated by true zeal for the name of God and his principles, and not motivated by a pious, holier-than-thou attitude, “Yes,” that anger is justified. Even so, it must not be justification for other sins of aggression, defiance, or hatred.

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus described anger much differently than the two examples above. Jesus warned against anger because it devalues other human beings. Anger that devalues others is never justified. God loves every man, woman, and child. Anger that devalues another person opposes God’s love and minimizes the loving sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. That anger must be resolved before the sun goes down!

Whenever people justify anger, they may not realize that they have accepted the fact that anger is bad. Justification is a way of finding find a rational explanation to excuse things that are known to be wrong, or to cast wrong in a different light as if it is good. In general, anger is not good! It is NOT emotionally or physically or spiritually healthy to hold on to anger or to express one’s anger.

It is wise to learn how to deal with anger. Yet, it is even wiser to submit to God’s instruction and learn self-control. Self-control is the natural outcome of one who bears the fruit of the Holy Spirit; anger is not fruit of the Spirit.


Mark Stinnett

August 11, 2024