ANGER DANGER
What makes you mad? I saw a quiz online that was designed to help people evaluate how well they manage their anger. As I looked at the questions I wondered if just reading the questions is supposed to make me angry. Anger is a very powerful force that is usually used for wrong. Ephesians 4:26 says “Be ye angry, and sin not.” This seems to indicate that anger can be used properly or it can be used in sin. How can we tell if our anger is wrong? Here are 7 signs of when anger is sin.
1.When anger is without a cause. In Matthew 5:21-22 Jesus says “Whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.” The difficulty in applying this verse is that every angry person thinks he has a just cause for anger. However, when we look at verses 38-48 in the same chapter it should be clear that being personally wronged is not what Jesus here calls “a cause.” Rather, I believe we could look to David for an example of what Jesus meant. In 1Samuel 17:29 David responds to the suggestion that his interest in fighting Goliath was personally motivated. He said “Is there not a cause?” There was a cause or purpose beyond self and pride. Anger that is without a just cause is wrong.
2.When anger is hindering my worship. In the same context of discussing anger, Jesus continues in Matthew 5:23-24 by saying “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” Is your anger interfering with your walk with God? Are you too angry to pray, worship, or enjoy the precious Word of God? If anger is coming between you and God, it is wrong.
3.When anger is quick to arrive. James 1:19-20 challenges us with this: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” Anger is so powerful that it is not the sort of tool that you should use without being sure that it is the right response. Get all the facts before you blow up! If my anger is quick to arrive, it is most likely wrong.
4.When anger is slow to depart. Ephesians 4:26 says, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” Whether or not we take that second half of the verse literally, we must be quick to “cease from anger (Psalm 37:8).” This means that our anger should be left behind as quickly as possible. Do not drag out your anger into a bitter grudge. If you are still angry the next day, your anger is probably wrong.
5.When anger is leading to sinful actions. You can discern anger by its fruits. Does your anger lead to hate (1John 3:15), name-calling (Matthew 5:22), yelling (Colossians 4:6), dirty language (Ephesians 5:3-4), insults (Ephesians 4:29), revenge (Romans 12:17-21), or gossip and slander (James 4:11 and Titus 3:2)? If any of these are present, I suggest that the anger is wrong.
6.When anger is causing me to be like that which I am angry at. A good example of this is James and John in Luke 9:51-55. They had received an unreasonably harsh welcome from a village of Samaritans, so their response was to suggest a harsh response. If I am committing the same actions or wearing the same attitude as the person I am angry at, then I am wrong and probably a hypocrite.
7.When anger is causing me to be controlled by the Devil. Ephesians 4:26-27 warns us: “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.” The great danger in anger is giving place to the Devil. Next time you are angry, ask yourself these questions: “Why am I angry? Am I angry because I want to be angry or because I cannot control myself?” If the answer is that you cannot control yourself, then who IS controlling you? I suspect it is probably not God! When I lose my temper(ance) I am losing a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23) and gaining a fruit of the flesh (Galatians 5:20).
Maybe at this point you are feeling a bit like me. I feel like I've been too often wrong when it comes to anger. What is the answer? I suggest memorizing some of the verses listed above and using them when the temptation to anger strikes. By yielding ourselves to the leading of the Spirit of God, his strength will enable us to conquer anger.