Be Ye Angry

An elementary reading of the following scripture can produce, and has produced, erroneous interpretations: "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil" (Ephesians 4:26-27). Many Christians use these scriptures to condone their unrighteous anger—"be ye angry"; however, these scriptures are not advocating unrighteous anger—"sin not." Unrighteous anger is synonymous to proud wrath; and wrath is strong vengeful anger (Psalm 37:8; Proverbs 15:1, 18; Proverbs 21:24; Proverbs 29:22). It is vengeful because the person has judged that some wrong, based on their own set of standards, has been committed and punishment must be meted out to the guilty. Thus, the sins of anger and judgment produce wrath: "I will pour out mine indignation upon thee, I will blow against thee in the fire of my wrath" (Ezekiel 21:31). Verses 26 and 27 of Ephesians chapter 4 are a warning that unrighteous anger opens a door to the devil and, as such, we need to eradicate the things like judgment and strong holds (see "Strong Holds (Idols of the Heart)") that incite unrighteous anger: those things that promote the works of the flesh. "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" (James 1:19-20).

Anger is defined as "a strong feeling of displeasure and usually of antagonism." Displeasure is synonymous with offence that means "something that outrages the moral or physical senses." Further, antagonism is defined as "opposition of a conflicting force, tendency, or principle." Together, unrighteous anger is defined as a reaction to something that outrages the moral or physical senses by conflicting with a personal principle. The problem with unrighteous anger is that self is put on the throne; yet, we are commanded to deny ourselves and to love the Lord thy God. Moreover, unrighteous anger is used itself as punishment. We, however, are commanded by God to "avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" (Romans 12:19). Therefore, to be angry in unrighteousness, a person must judge that some personal affront has been committed or that something has been withheld that they want or "deserve." Therein lies the problem, unrighteous anger is self-centered, judgmental, and vengeful; it is iniquity comprised of the sins of unbelief, pride, lust, judgment, rebellion, hate, vengeance, and bitterness (unmerciful). We, however, are to "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:31-32). For "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls" (Proverbs 25:28). The love of God demands us to not vaunt (exalt) ourselves, to not be puffed up, to not be easily provoked, to bear all things and endure all things (1 Corinthians 13). Therefore, replace pride, judgment and lust with forgiveness; and unrighteous anger has no launching pad: "Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins" (Proverbs 10:12).

The issue for many Christians is that anger is an "automatic" response to an old trigger; in other words, anger is an unrighteous habit formed in our early years. Thus the journey to deliverance involves discovering the triggers (judgments, strong holds and devils) to anger that we learned in the world, and removing them by rejecting (renouncing) them and/or casting them out (see "Understanding Deliverance"). These triggers incite the flame of unrighteous anger and leave a smoldering coal of injustice and distrust (the key ingredients to rejection). Not only, however, do Christians have to cleanse the triggers that are present, but they also have to ensure that new triggers are not formed. The ability to do this comes with renewing our minds: retraining our minds to process stimuli differently "that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good" (Isaiah 7:15). Through the Word we can bring forth the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), which enables us to discern the evil of our flesh, and crucify it "with the affections and lusts" (Galatians 5:24). We have to form new, righteous, habits to replace the unrighteous ones. Every time unrighteous anger flares, examine yourself and look for the mental construct (strong hold) which triggered the anger along with the ever present devils tempting you to sin. "Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools" (Ecclesiastes 7:9).

Therefore, the only way to be angry and sin not is to deny yourself and pick up your cross. That is, righteous anger is defined as a reaction to something that outrages the spiritual—led by the Holy Ghost—senses by conflicting with a godly principle. Righteous anger is based on Christ-centered principles or, more specifically, righteous anger is based on offences against God and his Word (godly principles), not against self. "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me" (John 5:30). Righteous anger is against sin, evil, and devils not against a person; and righteous anger does not judge the person and seek to punish the person involved. An example of righteous anger is given in the book of Mark: "And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other" (Mark 3:5). Jesus was angry with their stubborn adherence to the letter of the law and not to compassion for their neighbor (2 Corinthians 3:6).

One word of caution, the iniquity of anger opens the door to the spirit of anger; therefore, by means of temptation, anger in one person can incite anger in another person. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). Be watchful to resist the temptation to become angry when another person is angry: "Recompense to no man evil for evil" (Romans 12:17); "neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure" (1 Timothy 5:22). "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him" (James 1:12).

Jesus—the Word of God—warned us that "These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended" (John 16:1). Being angry, ashamed, discontent, disappointed, fearful, sorrowful, and hurt are all variations of being offended. "And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me" (Matthew 11:6). When we get offended, we deny Jesus Christ much as Peter and the other disciples did:

Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. (Matthew 26:31-34)

More often than not, an offended Christian gives witness to Satan rather than the Lord: "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35). Many Christians lack charity one to another and therefore, give witness to their true god: Satan. We must as Christians strengthen ourselves in the Word of God to avoid judgment and offence: "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" (Psalm 119:11).

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