Be Angry But Don’t Sin!

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Ephesians 4:26, 27

I can tell you there are many other verses about anger in the Bible, try reading Proverbs, but isn’t it interesting how our tempers can so easily get the best of us? And then something is said that is often regretted. Words can wound and they might not ever heal, even though Jesus would heal them, will we allow Him?

Jesus got angry, but He was the best example of self control, He even held His tongue, being mocked, accused and beaten, ” He opened not His mouth. ” Isaiah 53 says and He did turn the other cheek, in one Jesus movie, He turns it after being slapped, and the man just can’t hit Him again. That may have happened, at least as He was on trial, all the movies take some liberties but some are very inaccurate.

He was angry that the moneychangers were cheating people by selling offerings at the temple, and overturned the tables didn’t He? But what we have to stop to read is that He corded or braided, or wove a whip, but He did not beat them, that action, curbed His anger. Yet, His crucifixion was Him bearing the wrath of God to save us, if you think it was hard for Jesus  to go through, and id it was horrific, what about God having to look away?

I tell people not to discipline their children in anger, they will remember what they did a few minutes later. I suggest running through the fruit of the Spirit a few times, you can get a little tongue tied and end up laughing but calmed down. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. See what I mean? It starts with love and ends with self control, and Galatians 5:22,23 says there is no law against that.

Jesus had good reason to be angry at people. The religious feared He would take over the government, even Peter rebuked Him, hoping He would want to rule. They accused Him, tried to argue the law with Him, were angry if He healed on the Sabbath, even said He was a drunk and had a devil. Following His lead is always a good idea, and being familiar with what can be better left unsaid. I have had to curb even righteous anger.

I was told to get mad at the devil, and I did but he is defeated anyway. I get mad and decide to keep believing the Lord even more. There are all kinds of anger in the Bible, Galatians 5:25 tell how men should treat their wives, though it says fathers, mother too, can provoke children too. Ephesians 6:4, and that is being heavy handed and excessive. Children do get mad and pout about a lot of things, they get over most of it or outgrow it but not all.

Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Psalm 4:4

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Psalm 37:8

Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Colossians 3:19

Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. James 1:20 NLT

Wow, there are a lot of ways we can get angry. Traffic, bosses and siblings, spouses. Long days and hot summers stir up the strife, maybe, it is cooler where you are but the Georgia heat last sometimes, until November. Work, heat, being tired or hungry often contribute and then there some who can’t wait to argue, don’t take the bait.

Be angry, but don’t go to sleep that way, talk to the Lord. Be angry and sin not.

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