
Anger is a natural human emotion, and it is not inherently sinful. However, the Bible warns against allowing anger to control one's actions and cause harm to others. Ephesians 4:26-27 advises believers to Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. While it is acceptable to feel anger, it is important to handle it in a godly manner and not let it lead to destructive behaviours or cause damage to relationships. The Bible distinguishes between righteous indignation, which is anger in defence of a biblical principle or in response to an injustice, and sinful anger, which is motivated by pride, lingers, or causes harm to others.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Anger is a sin when | Anger is sinful when it is allowed to boil over unconstrained, resulting in hurt being multiplied and leaving destruction in its wake. |
Anger is sinful when it is motivated by pride, unproductive and thus distorts God's purposes, or when anger is allowed to linger. | |
Anger becomes a sin when, instead of attacking the problem at hand, we attack the wrongdoer. | |
Anger is a sin when it is allowed to boil over without restraint, resulting in a scenario in which hurt is multiplied. | |
Anger becomes a sin when the angry one refuses to be pacified, holds a grudge, or keeps it all inside. | |
Anger is not a sin when | Anger is not sinful when it is righteous indignation. |
Anger is not a sin when it is used to solve problems. | |
Anger is not a sin when it is directed at an injustice inflicted against oneself. | |
Anger is not a sin when it is used to defend or support a biblical principle and serves to better a situation or a person, not in defence or support of our own motives trying to push our own agendas. |
What You'll Learn
Anger is a normal human emotion
Anger is not always a sin. There is a type of anger of which the Bible approves, often called "righteous indignation". God is angry, and it is acceptable for believers to be angry. Biblically, anger is God-given energy intended to help us solve problems.
Anger can be dangerous if it goes unchecked. Allowing the seed of anger to fester within us is giving the devil a foothold in our relationships. We should not lash out in anger, but instead try to understand the other person's point of view. If we wallow in anger by giving our spouses the silent treatment, we are also building walls between us and our spouses. Lashing out or retreating into our anger are both unhelpful responses. Being angry about an injustice can motivate us to reach out in compassion to our brothers and sisters who are hurting.
Anger always underlies another emotion. Try to name the emotions behind the anger. Naming the emotion helps us to feel less overwhelmed and makes the conversation more productive. We should talk with our spouses about the pain we feel. Productive discussions can happen only when we acknowledge our feelings and choose to discuss our emotions in a positive way.
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Anger can be righteous
Anger is a natural human emotion that is not inherently sinful. The Bible never tells us that anger is bad. In fact, there are many instances in the Bible when anger is approved of and even called "righteous indignation". For example, in Psalm 7:11, it says, "God is angry with the wicked every day". God is righteously angry – not at the people – but at the actions of the people and the damaging effects they have on others.
Another example is Mark 3:5, which describes Jesus as being "deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts". Jesus was frustrated, discouraged, and even angered that the people were more worried about rules than seeing a person healed of their disability.
Righteous anger can be motivating and can lead us to care for those who are marginalized. It can also be a warning flag, alerting us to times when others are attempting to violate our boundaries or the boundaries of others.
However, anger can become sinful when it is motivated by pride, when it is unproductive and thus distorts God's purposes, or when it is allowed to linger. One obvious sign that anger has turned to sin is when, instead of attacking the problem, we attack the wrongdoer.
To handle anger biblically, we must recognize and admit our prideful anger and/or our wrong handling of anger as sin. We should not minimize the sin by excusing it or blame-shifting. We must also remember that God is sovereign over every circumstance and person that crosses our path. We can trust Him to act justly.
In conclusion, while anger is a natural and valid emotion, it is important to handle it in a godly manner and not let it control our actions or lead us to sin.
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Anger can be sinful
Anger is a normal human emotion, and it is not wrong to experience it. However, the Bible warns against allowing anger to control us, rule our lives, or turn destructive. The Bible also notes that human anger is usually portrayed as sinful in Scripture and anger against God is always a sin.
Anger can become sinful when it is:
- Selfishly motivated
- Not glorifying God or defending His name
- Unrestrained, causing one to sin
- Volatile, causing emotional or physical harm to others
- Unforgiving, causing one to hold grudges and seek revenge
- Unchecked, leading to depression and irritability
Anger can be channelled correctly by:
- Recognising and admitting to wrong handling of anger
- Seeing God in the trial
- Making room for God's wrath
- Returning good for evil
- Communicating to solve the problem
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God's anger is referred to as wrath
God's wrath is His holy and perfect reaction to sin. It is always justified, and in the Old Testament, it served to draw His people back to Himself. In the Bible, God's wrath is often mentioned alongside human disobedience and punishment. For example, in Deuteronomy 9:8, we see how God's wrath was aroused by the Israelites' actions at Horeb, leading to His anger and desire to destroy them.
God's wrath is also mentioned in the New Testament, such as in Romans 1:18, which states, "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness." This wrath is not at odds with God's love. As a righteous judge, He will give us what we have earned through our actions. However, He also provides a way of redemption through faith in the atoning blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.
While God's wrath is a significant aspect of His character, it is essential to remember that it is not the only aspect. His love, mercy, and grace are also central to who He is. As believers, we may experience God's discipline, which is intended to help us grow and mature in our faith. But wrath, as a final judgment, is reserved for those who remain in rebellion against Him.
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Anger can be channelled constructively
Anger is a natural human emotion and feeling angry is not a sin. However, the Bible warns against allowing anger to control us and cause us to sin. Ephesians 4:26-27 says, "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil."
- Recognise and admit your anger: The first step to dealing with anger is to acknowledge it. Be honest with yourself and others about your feelings.
- Understand the underlying emotions: Anger often stems from other emotions such as hurt, fear, or frustration. Try to identify and address the root cause of your anger.
- Talk about your feelings: Share your emotions with a trusted friend, a counsellor, or God. Praying or journaling can also help you process your anger and gain perspective.
- Practice self-control: Ephesians 4:29-32 provides guidelines for handling anger: be honest, stay current, attack the problem, not the person, and act, don't react.
- Seek God's perspective: Remember that God is sovereign and just. Reflect on His goodness and trust that He will redeem your situation for your good.
- Forgive and show compassion: Instead of holding grudges or seeking revenge, choose to forgive and respond with compassion. This can help turn your anger into love and promote healing.
- Channel your anger into positive action: Use your anger as a catalyst for change. Find constructive ways to address the issues that anger you, such as volunteering or advocating for a cause.
- Set boundaries: Sometimes anger can indicate that certain people or situations are unsafe for you. It's important to set healthy boundaries and prioritise self-care.
- Practice emotional regulation: Learn techniques to manage your anger, such as deep breathing, meditation, or physical activity. This can help you respond to anger in a calm and controlled manner.
By following these steps, you can channel your anger in a constructive way, using it as a tool for positive change while avoiding the pitfalls of sinful anger.
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