Be Angry but Do Not Sin

Be Angry but Do Not Sin

The guiding principle when dealing with anger should be Ephesians 4:26-27:

In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,  and do not give the devil a foothold. [lit. “a place”]

Main ways in which we sin when angry:

• Ventilation of anger where people not connected with the threat that triggered the anger are effected.
• Internalization of anger that leads to resentment and bitterness.
• Responding to the threat in an inappropriate way that focuses on the person rather than the problem and damages or hurts this person physically, emotionally, or economically.

How to handle anger righteously

• Direct it at the problem (threat) that is triggering it.
• When the problem involves confronting another person, it must be done responsibly. Your purpose needs to be to resolve the problem, not to embarrass, hurt, show them how they are wrong, or punish them.
• Stay solution oriented rather than problem oriented

When it is appropriate to rebuke, do so for a loving purpose and in a loving manner (this sometimes requires a strong forthright approach).

An Example of Righteous Anger from the Old Testament

In 1 Samuel 11:6 we discover that the coming of the Holy Spirit upon Saul resulted in great anger that impelled him to carry out his work for God.

     1 Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh Gilead. And all the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will be subject to you.”
     2 But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you only on the condition that I gouge out the right eye of every one of you and so bring disgrace on all Israel.”
     3 The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days so we can send messengers throughout Israel; if no one comes to rescue us, we will surrender to you.”
     4 When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and reported these terms to the people, they all wept aloud.  5 Just then Saul was returning from the fields, behind his oxen, and he asked, “What is wrong with the people? Why are they weeping?” Then they repeated to him what the men of Jabesh had said.
     6 When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came upon him in power, and he burned with anger.  7 He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the LORD fell on the people, and they turned out as one man.  8 When Saul mustered them at Bezek, the men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
     9 They told the messengers who had come, “Say to the men of Jabesh Gilead, ‘By the time the sun is hot tomorrow, you will be delivered.’” When the messengers went and reported this to the men of Jabesh, they were elated.  10 They said to the Ammonites, “Tomorrow we will surrender to you, and you can do to us whatever seems good to you.”
     11 The next day Saul separated his men into three divisions; during the last watch of the night they broke into the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

Examples of when Jesus Was Angry

John 2:13-17

     13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.  14 In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money.  15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.  16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!”
     17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

Mark 3:5

     1 Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there.  2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath.  3 Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”
     4 Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.
     5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.

Selected Bible Verses On Anger

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.

Ephesians 4:26

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,  27 and do not give the devil a foothold.

Romans 12:19

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

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.

Psalm 4:4

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

Proverbs 25:28

Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.

Proverbs 29:11

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

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Disclaimer: This site contains general reference information and is not intended as a substitute for consulting with a physician or a psychotherapist.

Copyright © 1999 by Reneau Peurifoy, MA — All Rights Reserved