Introduction
“But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.” Colossians 3:8
The inciting factors vary, but we are all familiar with sinful anger. Countries wage all manners of war – civil wars, cold wars, trade wars, cyber wars, etc. – led by angry people hungry for more power, money, or resources. Political parties bash each other in anger without shame. Employees go “postal” over perceived injustices in the workplace and lash out in anger. Road rage over drivers who are too slow, too fast, reckless, or just rude is rampant. Children throw tantrums, siblings fight, parents lose it, friends betray.
Sinful anger is frequently found in the body of Christ as well, with quarrels over doctrine and scripture interpretation abounding. Even anger at God is not uncommon, as in the case with Jonah, who was furious with God because of the mercy God showed to the Ninevites who were Israel’s enemies.
Indeed, it is surprising if we can make it through a day without encountering sinful anger in some measure. It is easy to recognize. Sinful anger is rooted in the flesh. It protects and serves self. It surfaces in the face of inconvenience, embarrassment, and wounded pride. Sinful anger is punitive and demeaning. It seeks revenge; it is impatient, self-righteous, and demanding. It is ugly, argumentative, sometimes loud, and always destructive.
“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.” James 1:19-20
The Bible makes it clear that sinful anger is not productive; it does not produce righteousness in our lives or the lives of others. But what can we do when our anger builds to the point of eruption? Is there a way to “be angry” about sin and its offense but not sin in response?
The world offers solutions such as venting your anger through exercise or by hitting a pillow or punching bag. They offer tips on breathing out your anger or counting to calm down. They make suggestions for identifying the things that make you angry (wrongly labeling them “triggers”) and making a plan to avoid them and manage your anger. And while these recommendations might have the appearance of wisdom and might modify your behavior for a time, they ultimately lack the power to change your heart.
But through the cross of Christ, God has made a way for us to “Be angry and do not sin.” (Ephesians 4:26a). When we suffer offense of any kind and we feel anger rising within, we can look to Jesus and His cross to see that God has avenged us through the cross. Look to the cross of Christ and see the ugliness of sin and the wrath of God poured out on Jesus. As you behold the terrible cross of Christ, understand that no anger of yours will ever produce the righteousness that comes through the cross of Christ. Agree with God that His anger is enough and allow His peace to overwhelm and quiet your heart and mind.
Illustration
In 2 Kings 6, we read the account of the war between the country of Aram and God’s people, Israel. The King of Aram discovered that Elisha, the prophet, was listening to God, and aiding the people of God to win the war over the king of Aram, so the king of Aram sent an entire army to capture Elisha. The Lord blinded the Arameans and led them to Samaria, totally lost, blind, and confused.
When the king of Israel saw his enemies blind and confused, he asked Elisha, “Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?” (2 Kings 6:21). You can almost feel his blood lust and his anger against these people who brought war to his door. He wanted to vent his anger and take their lives! Jesus talked about this kind of hate as “heart murder” (Matthew 5:21-30), teaching that if we hate someone, we have murdered them in our hearts.
So what did Elisha say? Would he agree with the Israelite king’s desire to kill these men from Aram?
2 Kings 6:22 (NIV) Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.”
Wait! What? Don’t kill them, give them a feast? You want me to do good to those who wage war against us? Show love to those who hate us?
Friend, you were at one time the enemy of God (Colossians 1:21), and His hatred of your sin boiled over, but it didn’t erupt on you, but instead on God’s own Son. God made a feast for your soul in the cross of Christ (Luke 22:19-20). We now feed on the altar of the cross (Hebrews 13:10) and experience refreshment in the living water of the Holy Spirit (John 7:38-39).
Notice what this act of kindness and mercy, the preparing of food and drink for enemies, did to the king and country of Aram. It replaced anger with peace:
2 Kings 6:23 (NIV) So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory.
Application
Are you seething with anger today? Have you been mistreated by a parent, child, or colleague? Did your business partner, friend or loved one betray you? Have your rights been violated? Pour out your angry heart to Jesus. He will hear you and answer you with His perfect peace. Come to the foot of the cross of Christ and remember that Jesus has not only paid your sin debt but He has also paid for the sin that has produced such anger in your mind and heart. Jesus has carried your pain; He knows it. He is your Avenger. You can release your anger to Him and receive the healing that His wounds have purchased for you. Look to the cross of Christ and turn from angry outbursts and instead follow Christ in overcoming evil with good (Romans 12:21). This is how you can “be angry and sin not” (Ephesians 4:26).
Are you angry with God for allowing unwanted circumstances in your life? Are you frustrated because it seems nothing is going your way or because it appears that your offender has escaped punishment? Look to Jesus and remember the injustices He endured to secure your eternal joy. When you sinned against Jesus and failed to love and obey Him as you should, He did not abandon you, scream at you, or throw you out. He died in your place. He bore in His body all your sin, drank every drop of the cup of God’s wrath against your sin, and paid the wages of your sin by dying in your place. You have escaped your eternal punishment because of Jesus.
These light momentary afflictions of your life are preparing for you an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison (2 Corinthians 4:17). As you think of this eternal truth, the heat of your sinful anger will be replaced with refreshing joy and gratitude. How can you be angry with the God who loves you eternally and gave His only Son to redeem you?
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:29-32
Question. How can you look to Jesus and put away your anger today?
Larry writes, “I can see Jesus and know that God’s wrath was laid on him for me and that there is nothing here on this earth that should bother me because I am not a part of this world and I do not have an agenda! I can rest and walk in peace and share that with others who are troubled and angry!“
Austin writes, “Looking to Jesus makes me drop any anger I have. I have no right to be angry. Jesus received the outpouring of God’s anger on sin at the cross. I am deeply cut with today’s lesson. Jesus, help me to leave any anger I have at the cross. Thank you, Jesus, for dying in my place and securing eternal rescue from judgment, and giving me life. Thank you, Jesus, for forgiving me, cleansing me, and healing men. amen. Glory to Jesus!!”
Sophia writes, “This lesson was definitely SO practical. I can clearly see that God has already vindicated me of my anger and wrath through the cross. There’s no way that my anger can produce righteousness, so I just have to see that God’s wrath and anger that Jesus endured is enough! That righteousness has already been produced from it! I have to look at the feast that God put before me and see that treating anger with kindness and mercy results in peace.“
Mike L. writes, “Looking to the cross diffuses anger so quickly, if anybody had the right to be angry it was Jesus, yet instead of anger, He offered forgiveness, mercy, love, and grace. I know the cross is absolutely terrible but when I think about Him who was on the cross it gives me such peace. I know I’ve said this before but I always think of Jesus’ words when the Romans soldiers were nailing Him to the cross; “While they were nailing Jesus to the cross, he prayed over and over, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing” (Luke 23:34 The Passion Translation).
Lord Jesus may I always remember Your words of forgiveness when sinful anger rises up in me, allowing the peace of God that transcends all understanding to flood my heart with mercy toward those whom I am angry with. Thank you for Your forgiveness and grace in my life!”
Reprinted by permission from the Looking to Jesus study at www.settingcaptivesfree.com. SCF exists to help men and women find freedom in Christ through the gospel.