βBe ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devilβ (Ephesians 4:26,27).
God created us with a wide range of emotions, each of which serves a purpose. Yes, even anger can be good. Contrary to popular opinion, anger itself is not sinful. Notice how the apostle words his above statement, βBe ye angry, and sin not.β In essence, Paul is saying that we are well within our rights to be angry over an injustice or unrighteous circumstances.
The recent debate over βpartial birth abortionβ is a good example. We should be incensed by βabortionβ in general and horrified by βpartial birth abortionsβ in particular. Any procedure (usually performed at 7 or 8 months gestation) that allows the infantβs head to remain in the birth canal while the abortionist forces a surgical instrument into the base of the skull to suction out the little oneβs brains is nothing short of first degree murder. Here a righteous anger is perfectly justified. In fact, there are scores of times in the Old Testament where the anger of the Lord is said to be kindled against His enemies (Num. 25:1-9; Jer. 12:13).
Surely our Lord is a prime example that anger itself is not necessarily sinful, for He knew no sin. Thus the Lord was well within the boundaries of godly behavior when He exhibited a righteous anger toward those who had made His Fatherβs house a den of thieves (John 2:13-17). In the future Tribulation Period those who reject Godβs anointed and worship the beast and his image, βthe same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstoneβ (Rev. 14:10).
Carefully note, Paul adds to the phrase βbe ye angryβ a warning, βand sin not.β Unbridled anger can easily turn into a fit of uncontrollable rage which normally leaves a path of destruction in its wake. Unchecked, anger that overflows into resentment almost always results in some form of retaliation. This may take the form of verbal attacks, threats, or even physical abuse.
How to Deal with Anger
We are living in a day when philosophy says, βexpress yourself openly,β βtell it like it is,β βopen up,β βlet it all hang out.β However, the Scriptures counsel us to exercise restraint.
The fruit of the spirit is βlove, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no lawβ (Gal. 5:22,23). As we walk by grace through faith, temperance will enable us to keep our anger under control. But how does this work out in a practical sense? Those who fly off in a fit of rage permit their anger to take control of them. Consequently, the energy emitted from this emotion is usually misdirected at someone or something. Sinful anger tears down. Thus, in the heat of the moment things are often said and done which cause irreparable damage to relationships.
Paul adds here in Ephesians, βlet not the sun go down upon your wrath.β We should never allow our anger to simmer overnight. This will only cause it to become more deeply seated. βNeither give place to the devilβ (Eph. 4:27). You see, if you fail to handle things in the proper manner, you may well be giving Satan an opportunity to drive a deeper wedge in your relationships with others. Surely, we are not ignorant of his devices. Always remember, Satan is an opportunist. source
