The Power of Our Anger

From Blood Brothers on Youversion

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” – James 1:19-21 ESV

How powerful is anger? I want you to pause for a moment and try to think of 3 things that people could do while being angry. Now let me ask you this: Would these 3 things bring something good or bad? Can you think of anything good that can come from anger?

“A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.” – Proverbs 29:11 ESV

It might surprise you to know that there is good that can come from your anger. In fact, anger is a God-given emotion. I think of anger in two ways. There’s sinful anger and righteous anger. Are you angry right now about something? Is it sinful or righteous? How can you even know which type of anger you have? The Bible says this:

“In your anger do not sin; Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry”. – Ephesians 4:26 (NIV)

The Bible doesn’t say it’s wrong to be angry, but that it’s wrong to sin while angry! What would that look like? Consider this scenario: You’re with a crowd of people that are looking at a burning building. Even though you all just evacuated, you see someone inside that can’t break free. As you’re looking around, you see that no one is running toward the building to save them. Knowing what would happen if you do nothing should spark you to action, right? It should make you angry that no one is doing anything! There are several things you could do with this anger of yours, but here are a few possibilities: You can start expressing your anger toward everyone around you because they are not doing anything to save this person, or you can run to the person in danger and do something about it.

“God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day.” – Psalm 7:11 ESV

This is how you can tell the difference between sinful and righteous anger: Sinful anger will produce sinful actions; but righteous anger produces righteous actions. You have a choice in every situation concerning your anger; you can sin against God, or you can honor God with your actions.

Throughout this Bible Reading Plan, we’re going to look at the story of Cain and Abel out of Genesis 4. My prayer is that this story of anger would inspire you to consider how to handle your own anger, as you go through this study.

“But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” – Psalm 86:15 ESV

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to see my anger in a new way. Please show me if there’s anger in my own heart right now and help me to deal with it in a way that honors you. In Jesus’ name, amen.