Anger

I have been thinking a lot about the things that are risk factors for our spiritual hearts. Hardening of our hearts, that I wrote about yesterday, is certainly one. Another is anger. Anger acts like a poison on both our physical hearts and our spiritual hearts.

In my concordance there were 259 references to anger. Ephesians 4:31-32 commands us to “get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” Then goes on and tells us we need to “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave [us].” [HCSB]

James tells us that we must be “quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger,” and explains why, “for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.” [1:19-20 HCSB]

We are an increasingly angry culture. Anger makes us want to lash out and hurt others. Every day there are newscasts informing us of someone (or some group) becoming angry and striking out at the focus of their anger with words or even weapons.

Anger is a danger and has no place in the life of a Christian. (Yes, I understand there is a righteous anger, but we must admit, most of us do not “suffer” from that.)

Unrighteous anger will damage our spiritual hearts. It certainly will not accomplish God’s purpose. It will, in fact, undermine God’s purposes in our lives and in the lives of others.

Anger is on the rise. Anger is on the rise on our roadways, in our politics, in the lyrics of our music, on social media, and sadly, even in our homes. One of the fastest growing segments of homeless populations is women and children escaping domestic violence.

I grew up in an angry household. My dad had a quick temper, and my mother had a temper with a long memory. I had, or should I say, I have a temper also. I have learned to a certain extent to curb that temper, although it will still flare when I am stressed or tired.

Thoughtful spiritual growth is a theme in Ephesians 4. Amid Paul’s exhortation on spiritual maturing are his thoughts on anger. And they tell us three things.  “In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” [Eph 4:26-28]

First thing Paul reminds us “In your anger do not sin.” Anger is an emotion, yes, but anger itself is not a sin. It is what we do with our anger. There is a righteous anger … like what I see stirring in the abortion debate. Jesus was described as angry at the hardness of people’s hearts, yet He was without sin.  Anger, however, left unchecked or expressed the wrong way can become sin.

That is Paul second thought. “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” In other words, deal with your anger immediately.  Find healthy, spiritual ways of dispelling it. If you do not, anger will begin to take root, which leads us to Paul’s third warning … anger left unchecked gives “the devil a foothold” in your life.

I do not want to give one inch of my spiritual life to the devil, so I have learned, and am continuing to learn, to allow the Holy Spirit to show me how in my anger not to sin.