“God’s righteousness doesn’t grow from human anger.” James 1:20 (MSG) Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]; for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us]. James 1:19-20 (AMP)
“Stop being angry. Turn away from fighting. Do not trouble yourself. It leads only to wrong-doing.” Psalm 37:8 (NLV) “Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper—it only leads to harm.” (NLT)
Anger is displeasure in a wrong and sometimes wrath. If manifests, anger will become unhealthy, resulting in animosity, fury, hatred, impatience, irritability, resentment, and even violence. We should be adamant in being calm and pleasant and having ease, good will, joy, love, and patience.
“It is hard to stop a quarrel once it starts, so don’t let it begin.” Proverbs 17:14 (TLB)
We are able to turn away and stop being angry. Our rage causes harm, harm to others as well as ourselves. Anger negatively impacts our well-being. It wears on our bodies. Anger damages us spiritually and emotionally.
Anger in itself is not sin. How we utilize anger, what manifests from anger, can be sin. We are able to use anger positively to fulfill a purpose peacefully; to move to take action for the unjust or to correct a situation that rooted our anger. Anger becomes a sin when we let anger control us, our behavior.
It is wise to acknowledge and accept our anger as opposed to ignoring it, then we we are better able to deal with it and not let it grow into resentment and bitterness or even rage and violence. When rooted, anger becomes destructive. It causes damage to our bodies, causing harm, and reducing the value of our lives. It may result in destruction, hardship, illness, and suffering. Sinful anger, holding a grudge, results in irritability and depression. We should strive for betterment and improve of our beings; to beautify, cure, and enhance ourselves. Forgiveness is the key factor in alleviating, overcoming, and controlling any potential sinful anger.
Be angry [at sin—at immorality, at injustice, at ungodly behavior], yet do not sin; do not let your anger [cause you shame, nor allow it to] last until the sun goes down. And do not give the devil an opportunity [to lead you into sin by holding a grudge, or nurturing anger, or harboring resentment, or cultivating bitterness]…Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor [perpetual animosity, resentment, strife, fault-finding] and slander be put away from you, along with every kind of malice [all spitefulness, verbal abuse, malevolence]. Ephesians 4:26-27 & 31 (AMP) “Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the devil that kind of foothold in your life.” (MSG vs. 26-27)
Positive, appropriate anger is passion and energy. It is the God-given characteristic to pursue and help solve problems and defend others. Sinful anger is usually motivated by selfishness and pride. Let us attempt to respond in an appropriate manner until it becomes a habit that glorifies God. Let us not attack the person as opposed to the root of the problem.
“Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 (AMP) “Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Colossians 3:13 (TLB)
When we have been hurt, often times we want the person who hurt us to feel the pain we feel. We may lash out and retaliate or resent the person who offended us. However, that is not God’s best for us. He wants us to show love and forgive others to create peace, peace in our beings as well as with others. Where there is no peace, there is strife and bitterness. We cannot control how people treat us, but we can determine and regulate how we react and respond to one another.
Forgiving one another is not based on how we feel. It is commanded by God and is an action, a conscious effort to willingly strive for peace. As with any habit formed, it becomes easier the more we practice forgiveness. It will be instilled in our hearts and we will long for that peace and that joy, His peace and joy, once we become familiar with it!
It helps to acknowledge that others are God’s chosen too and we should treat them with kindness. He loves them just as much as He loves each one of us. We must demonstrate His love through forgiveness and with grace, seeking peace. Not only is this beneficial for us and them, it also shows unbelievers God’s characteristics within us when we behave in this habitude. We allow God to help others recognize of His presence in our lives by how we respond. He will guide us to do so through each situation.
When anger is a weakness and we struggle to overcome infuriation, we are able to and can ask our Lord to help us and He will. He is always willing to and able to help us overcome our flaws. In our shortcomings we are made stronger because of His power and grace.
But He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.’ Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (AMP)
When we acknowledge that we need help, we pray about it and thank Him in advance for helping us. When we do this, His peace fills our beings and we are better able to control our angered thoughts and feelings. He replaces and embraces our bitterness and hurt with His ultimate peace so that our minds and hearts can rest in His care.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (TLB)
Anger often times takes root and becomes sin by dwelling and repeatedly thinking of the wrongdoing. We are able to take captive of those thoughts and instead ponder and think of good beneficial, healthy thoughts; even good things in others.
“We break down every thought and proud thing that puts itself up against the wisdom of God. We take hold of every thought and make it obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3 (NLV)
“…Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.” Philippians 4:8 (TLB) Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. (AMP)
Sometimes we remain angry and hold onto anger as a means of self-protection; we do not want to get hurt again. God knows this. Forgiving a wrongdoer takes courage and strength and is a brave act. We need to trust that our Maker intends His best for us, for each one of us by way of forgiveness. He is a compassionate God, wise and all-knowing, caring so much about our hearts and hurts. We can trust His Word and Him to bring us healing, comfort, strength, and peace as we bravely step out and obey.
“He consoles us as we endure the pain and hardship of life so that we may draw from His comfort and share it with others in their own struggles.” 2 Corinthians 1:4 (VOICE)
Once the healing manifests, we are able to comfort others and share excitedly what our amazing Lord has done within us to better glorify His kingdom. Forgiving others, overcoming and letting go of any human anger is challenging but rewards us, blesses others, and reaches unbelievers so that they may know Him and experience His grace.
When our words and actions reflect God’s love, His image is clearly seen. The more our character lines up with His Word, the more we resemble our Father. Our purpose is to reflect His goodness to the world around us.
Dear Most Heavenly Gracious Forgiving Father,
“But Lord, You are a God full of compassion, generous in grace, slow to anger, and boundless in loyal love and truth.” Psalm 86:15 (VOICE)
Please help us to “Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.” Psalm 34:14 (NLT)
Thank you for the emotion of anger. Thank you for showing us how to utilize anger healthily and for our well-being as well as others. Thank you for caring enough and being there, waiting for us to ask You for Your help to overcome our weaknesses so that Your glory may radiate through us for others to experience and see. Please continue to work in us as You will so that Your righteousness may grow and flourish in each one of us.
In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.
Jesus is the Answer! Jesus Loves You! 