It’s been a rather angry year. There’s been anger directed at political opponents, at restrictions caused by COVID-19, and at instances of injustice. It was way too easy to find something to be angry about this year!
In Ephesians 4:26 we read, “Be angry and sin not; let not the sun go down on your wrath.” Some people believe that it is never appropriate for a Christian to be angry. Anger is thought of as a negative thing. But the Scriptures show that God is capable of anger, For example, we have this: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness…” (Romans 1:18). So, anger itself is not inherently evil. Is anger something reserved only for God? Or is it sometimes acceptable, or perhaps even the only right thing in some situations, to be angry at others?
When Jesus was accused of breaking the Sabbath, the Bible says that He looked upon His accusers with anger. “After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored” (Mark 3:5). Jesus had not broken God’s Sabbath law; He had only ignored some human customs. He had healed a man and the thing that made Him angry was that these cold hearted people could only think of accusing Him. They seemed not to care that the man who formerly had no use of his hand was now able to use it. Were they so filled with prejudice that they were unable to rejoice at the good that was done and connect the power of Jesus to the fact of His identity as God’s Son? Yes. Bitterness, hate and prejudice can blind us. The fact is, there are things that ought to make us angry.
If it is not a sin to be angry on every occasion, then when does anger become sin? It can easily lead to sin, and that is where we need to be careful.
1) When anger is not controlled, it is sin when it leads to abusive speech or conduct (Colossians 4:6). No provocation justifies acting in a sinful manner - anger or not, sin is still sin. It takes strength to control our anger, seeking good even for those with whom we are angry!
2) When anger is allowed to turn to bitterness, it is sin. Righteous anger can accomplish good, but bitterness destroys peace and happiness. It does only harm.
3) When anger is directed against the truth, it is sin. Paul once asked some people, “Have I become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” Sometimes that does happen. (Colossians 4:16).
We certainly must be careful when we are angry, not because anger itself is necessarily sinful, but because of what things may come out of it. There is such a thing, though, as righteous anger. A disciple learns when it is proper to be angry and how to control himself or herself righteously when provoked.