THE OPTION OF AN GER

 THE OPTION OF ANGER

Ephesians 4:26-27 Be ye angry, and sin [miss the mark of godliness and not share the prize] not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.  

  Dear Christian,

  As with all emotions, anger is optional. No one can make us angry without our permission. We’re constantly in the midst of triggers of various magnitude and weightiness, but only we have the authority and power over tripping them.  As with a firearm the trigger only works when the safety is off. This is easily proven by observing groups of people in same situation.

  Though anger can be sinful, it is not fundamentally so in every instance.

  When is anger sinful?

  When it’s prideful egocentric all about me and gives place for Apollyon (Eph.4:27; Rev.9:11 Greek: the Destroyer); thereby destructive to self and others. (This brings to mind the old saying “Unforgiveness with hope for or action toward revenge is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die.”)

  When is anger not sinful?

  When it is not pride centered with revenge is mind. We can know for certain that our wrath is righteous when it is in concord with what angers God Himself; God in place in our life, not the Destroyer.

  Read of Jesus, our example of liberty, His righteous anger, and the unrighteous anger of others in reaction to His compassion: “… He again entered into the synagogue. And a man was there who had a withered hand. And they watched Him to see if He would heal him on the sabbath day, so that they might accuse Him. And He said to the man who had the withered hand, Arise! Come into the middle. And He said to them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? To save life, or to kill? But they were silent. And looking around on them with anger, being grieved because of the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, Stretch out your hand! And he stretched it out. And his hand was restored whole, like the other. The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.” (MKJV Mk.3:1-6)

  Now, if not already in practice, may His peace that passes all natural understanding dominate our life. (Phil.4:7) EBB4

Suggestion: As a Philippians 2:12 exercise in spiritual and thereby emotional maturation, for 7 days when occurring jot down each time and reason for anger. At end of week separate self from all distraction, review list and consider prayerfully.