Anger of itself is not evil. There are times when God is described as being angry (Exodus 4:14; 15:7; 32:10, 11; Numbers 11:1, 10, 33; Deuteronomy 4:25; Joshua 7:1; Judges 2:11, 12; Psalm 78:49-51; etc.). When God gave a self-description in Exodus 34:6, the holy God said He was slow to anger, not absent in anger. There were times when Jesus was angry (Mark 3:5; perhaps Matthew 21:12, 13, and John 2:15, 16).
When anger acts unjustly it is evil. See James 1:20. In humans anger often expresses itself in an emotional response that acts impulsively and suspends thought. In humans anger commonly expresses itself through injustice because it either overreacts or it expresses the fury of long stifled slights. Often human anger is selfish as it focuses on self and injustices (whether perceived or actual) without considering the actual "whys" of the other person's behavior, emotions, or aggressiveness. Human anger often seeks to return evil for evil.
Three things are called to your attention in today's text. First, the injunction against anger in Christian existence is to make certain anger events are brief, not none existent. Second, the reason for making anger brief is to prevent Satan from using our anger as a doorway to temptation. Third, if the Christian will practice one and two, he can be angry and not sin.
It is the conscious ambition of the Christian man or Christian woman to set aside all aspects of life in a deliberate attempt to properly represent God. He or she will seek to be holy [set apart for God] by God's definition of holiness and purity so [as God's son or daughter] he or she can point to God's holiness to explain (1) the person he or she has become (2) as demonstrated in the way he or she behaves.
In a practical application of sanctification in the matter of anger, ask these questions. When I am angry, how does my anger affect my blood pressure? Affect my facial expressions? Affect my emotions? Affect my voice? Affect the pitch and tone of the way I verbally express myself? Affect my reasoning? Affect my desire to hurt the other person as I vent my anger with accusing words or hostile acts? Affect my behavior?
When I am angry, do I lose control of my body? Do I lose control of my emotions? Do I lose control of my reasoning? Do I become jealously suspicious of the one at whom I am angry? Do I behave in a manner that deserves an apology when I "cool off"?
Do I feel my anger makes me a better or poorer representative of God?
Commonly the issue of anger in an environment that knows and respects godliness is "losing my temper." Frequently the issue changes radically in a godless environment that either (1) does not know God, or (2) does not respect godly behavior.
Many of the Christians in Ephesus came from what we would consider a godless environment. The most powerful, influential religious expression in Ephesus was idolatrous. The principal temple of Diana or Artemis was located in Ephesus (see Acts 19:8-20, 23-41). Most of these Christians had "come out of" idolatrous experiences. What often was seen as a virtue in an idolatrous or godless existence was declared evil in a Christian existence. While expressing anger and nursing anger was seen as an admired strength in the ungodly lifestyle of people who worshipped idols, expressing or nursing human anger was declared a horrible way to represent God in the Christian lifestyle. Such was seen by Paul as an expression of the control of "the old self" rather than learning the new values of the "new self." Note this was a discussion of a lifestyle, not just an occasional event.
Perhaps we gain better insights into the problem [or problems] that concerned Paul if we illustrate anger in this manner. "Do not make him [or her] mad! When he [or she] gets angry, he [or she] is unpredictable! The only thing you can be certain of is that someone will get hurt! Not only does he [or she] react, but he [or she] never forgets! He [or she] will get even! And he [or she] is cunning! The time means nothing! He [or she] will plot revenge, and the amount of time that passes is meaningless! Never forget if you cross him [or her], you will get hurt! He [or she] will get revenge!"
The use of anger in a godless environment is often a control mechanism. The person easily angered controls other people's behavior through a fear of his [or her] angry behavior. The Christian seeks to influence others' behavior through the positive expressions of love, caring, and kindness because God is in control of him [or her].
This declares the core of the anger issue: Do I seek to control/manipulate others through anger, or do I let God control me by influencing me to be loving, caring, and kind? If a person lived [or lives] in a "controlled violence" atmosphere regulated by people's anger, learning to become loving, caring, and kind would be [is] a major transition. Loving an enemy would become a major, unnatural challenge that simply "did not make sense"!
Anger presents a major opportunity to the devil! Anger is the door to bitterness, slander, rage, confusion, and hate! Commonly, anger precedes injustice not justice, spite not kindness, hurtful acts or words not compassion, and revenge not forgiveness. Lingering anger is never a friend to or encourager of godly behavior!
For Thought and Discussion
Link to Teacher's Guide
Lesson 7