Ephesians 4:26,27
“BE ANGRY,AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger,“
I don’t think Christians are comfortable with anger. We have in our minds that the real godly among us are like Mr. Rogers. It’s like anger isn’t even present. Passages like “the meek will inherit the earth” are promoted. While that is in the bible, we misunderstand meekness. To be meek is to have strength under control. It’s like a guard dog that would tear apart an intruder, but allows the family toddler to crawl all over it without action. “Turn the other cheek” is also promoted. This is referring to the selfless, person who isn’t easily offended. While we aren’t to stick around for abuse, we aren’t to be offended about ourselves. This is not an easy task. It’s like Jesus saying we should forgive 70 x 7. We need God’s help.
So, what are we to be angry about? Jesus is our model. He got angry about the pharisees’ bad example. In Luke 7:47, they were upset that the prostitute cleaned Jesus’ feet at their dinner party with expensive cologne. Jesus told them that she loved much because she has been forgiven much. They should have been happy that the woman was redeemed. Here’s another example in Matt 9:11,12; “When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?” But when Jesus heard this, He said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.” They didn’t have any desire to help the lost. Jesus is modeling to them that as religious leaders, part of your job is to reach out to the lost. Jesus got angry that they boldly opposed this.
I would say Martin Luther King, Jr. was also a good model of appropriate anger. It wasn’t on his behalf. It was for the segregated. His anger was controled. It wasn’t destructive. It also wasn’t violent. His protests were a last resort. He attempted to resolve the matter privately. Yet, he didn’t back down. He couragously defended those unjustly treated.
Anger shouldn’t be a constant theme in our lives. We are to resolve it as soon as possible. Jesus says to deal with it in a day (don’t let the sun go down on your anger). That’s a general principle. Sometimes resolution needs more time. Usually not. We should speak to those we’re angry at and put it behind us.
How are we to appoach someone in error? Galations 6:1 says to do it in a spirit of gentleness, lest we also fall into sin. Proverbs 15:1 says “A gentle answer turns away wrath”. Matthew 18:15 says, “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. “But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you,”
I see anger like cpr training. There is a place for it, but it isn’t a part of our daily lives. At times, it’s appropriate. If we are irritable, we need to get those edges smoothed off. That is low level anger waiting to erupt.
Lord, give us wisdom as to properly use anger.
How are we to appoach someone in error? Galations 6:1 says to do it in a spirit of gentleness, lest we also fall into sin. Proverbs 15:1 says “A gentle answer turns away wrath”. Matthew 18:15 says, “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. “But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you,”
I see anger like cpr training. There is a place for it, but it isn’t a part of our daily lives. At times, it’s appropriate. If we are irritable, we need to get those edges smoothed off. That is low level anger waiting to erupt.
Lord, give us wisdom as to properly use anger.