Why Are You Angry?
It seems that I can’t have a simple conversation lately without someone expressing their anger toward a person, a situation, or a group. Honestly, it seems that much of the time, this anger is being expressed by me! There are so many things wrong in our world, that even the most restrained person can slip into anger, (and I am not the most restrained person!).
But, does that make it right?
Maybe.
There are several scriptures explaining how to be angry and a few that condemn fits of rage. I have found myself condoning my anger and have heard others condemning anger. Someone might over-simplify this struggle with, “What would Jesus do?” I believe it is much more nuanced than that. And, I believe that we are filled with the Spirit of Christ; so He is a part of our anger – at least He should be!
Was Jesus angry? Has God the Father shown anger? There are several stories in the Bible that demonstrate God’s anger, indignation, and wrath. To say that Jesus was not angry with the religious leaders who had turned the temple into a marketplace is to minimize His emotions, His holiness, His righteousness, His divinity, and His humanity. Conclusion: The emotion of anger is not sin. The action of anger is not sin either. But, I know that I sin in my anger!
There are a few verses that I turn to when I feel anger rising up within me and I don’t want to sin in my anger:
“Be angry, but do not sin,” (Ephesians 4:26)
“Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,” (James 1:19)
“The man of God should not be quick-tempered,” (Titus 1:7)
“The LORD is slow to anger but abounding in love,” (Exodus 34:6, Numbers 14:18, Nehemiah 9:17, Psalm 86:15, Psalm 103:8, Psalm 145:8, Joel 2:13, Jonah 4:2)
These verses serve to remind me that anger is not sin – but should never be entered into lightly or irreverently before God. Anger should always be motivated by reconciliation or defense of the widow and the orphan. Beyond these two things, I am not sure that the expression of anger is holy. But really, how many of us are only angered by these two things?
Most of my anger comes from me feeling or thinking that I have not received something I deserved or desired. Frankly, my anger grows and has a life of its own when I am more interested in loving myself than loving others. If I was willing to listen, consider others more important than myself, or look to their needs above my own; I would probably not sin in my anger.
I want to remind you that the behavior most contrasted with anger is love, (please note that I am referencing behavior instead of emotion here). Instead of acting out of anger, we are called to act out of love – reconciliation is so important. If someone is never angry with a situation or person, there will be no conflict. And conflict is necessary for communication, intimacy, and reconciliation – as it is resolved!
If God is not angry with sin, then what is the point of Jesus’ sacrifice? But God cannot sin! His anger is motivated by love and reconciliation.
Take a moment to ask yourself in the presence of God, “What am I angry about right now? Am I sinning in my anger? How can my anger lead to reconciliation? How can I show steadfast love toward the person(s) with whom I am angry?” These questions are dangerous in that they will likely lead us to sacrifice, mercy, and repentance. I regularly find myself dealing with my own selfishness when I walk through this process – and then I have to bring my sin to Christ knowing that if I confess my sin, He will be faithful to forgive my sin. Why? Because, He is the everlasting God, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love – quick to forgive.
I will be offering “Office Hours” again this Friday from 2-6 PM if you would like to set up some time to chat. Just email kurt@harvestdowntown.org to reserve a spot.
