In Ephesians 4:26, Paul talks about being angry without sinning. He at least means our anger needs to be time limited because he exhorts us to release our anger before sunset. Anger needs to have a clear ending. Seems to me, if we nurture anger long term, it festers into resentment and then bitterness. And bitterness is probably as bad for us as cancer. Best to lance our anger before it festers.
But it is possible, Paul implies, to be angry without sinning. How does that work? Anger doesn’t always separate us from each other and God? And is this related to the sword of the Spirit that penetrates between soul and spirit? (Hebrews 4:12) That scripture comes to mind because separating the feeling/emotion of anger from the sinful thoughts of revenge seems as difficult as sorting out the mind, will, and emotions of our soul from our spirit. Of course, there’s an anger that motivates us to right injustices, but I’m not talking about that kind of anger. I’m thinking of the anger that rises up because someone has sinned against us in a way that creates pain or fear. Anger is a common reaction. But Paul seems to say the feeling itself isn’t sinful. And we can, with the Holy Spirit’s help, stop and examine the thoughts that are arising with the feeling. That seems to me to be where we need to focus our repentance. On our thoughts and actions, not the feeling itself. When our anger leads to thoughts of harm to another, perhaps it’s time to remember our own sins and with God’s enabling, give the grace we’ve been given. So, today’s Tuesday Thought: It is possible to be angry without sinning. The Lord bless you and keep you all your days.
Thank you, Karen, for this meditation on anger. Rarely do I encounter any preaching or teaching on this important but neglected subject. I say important because, personally speaking, not a day goes by when I am not tempted to become irritated, offended, or angry. From the enormous perpetual injustices in our world, to the minor traffic insults, I am accosted daily by brokenness and also by choices of how I'll react. Lord, help me to forgive as I am forgiven.
world to the minor traffic discourtesy