Anger Management

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

Very few things in the life of a Christ follower is more destructive that anger. When we give vent to that emotion, we often lose our self-control, and do and say things that we would never do or say otherwise. Of course, if one gives in to anger and allows it to fester, it can easily turn to bitterness, which eats away at the soul. That’s why Scripture is consistent in its command for Christ followers to put away anger. Paul even told the believers in Ephesus that anger was a sin of the flesh (Ephesians 4:31).

Many Christ followers try to justify or rationalize their anger based on the account where Jesus cleansed the Temple, calling their emotion righteous indignation. The problem I see with that is that the Scripture never says that Jesus was angry when He did it! (See Matthew 21:12-14; Mark 11:15-18; and Luke 19:45-46.)

Furthermore, some Christ followers think it’s OK to get angry because Paul said to be angry, just don’t sin by means of your anger (Ephesians 4:26). However, they seldom quote his next words, “… get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger…” (Ephesians 4:31 – emphasis mine). For the most part, anger does not bring about God’s redemptive work; far more often it hinders what God is working to accomplish.

Does your anger often turn to bitterness? Does your anger cause you to speak in an unchristlike manner or to gossip about others? Do you find yourself making excuses for your ungodly behavior? Does your anger block out loving, redemptive, Christlike actions toward others? If you answered, “yes” to any of these questions, examine yourself, repent and forsake the sin of anger in your life. Allow God to forgive you and empower you to deal with the sinful attitudes your anger may have produced.

Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath. (Ephesians 4:26)