Bible Reading: Nahum 1-3; Revelation 13.
Memory Verse: “The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.” Nahum 1:3 (KJV)
Anger is a strong feeling that makes you want to hurt someone or be unpleasant because of something unfair or unkind that has happened. It is not always bad as there are two main types. Righteous and sinful though there could be further sub-classification. An example of expressed unrighteous anger is the story of a man who was said to have got a new car and early one morning his young son took a stone and scribbled on the car. When the father saw it, he was angry and hit the sons hand so badly that he had to take him to the hospital and eventually, the fingers had to be amputated. The son was said to have asked the father when his fingers would grow again! Later, when everything got clearer, the father went to check what the son had written. Then he saw “I love you …” The man was said to have been so traumatized that he went to commit suicide! Those are consequences of anger. The Bible has a word of advice for such people in Ecclesiastes 7:9 (KJV), “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.”
On the other hand, Jesus exhibited righteous anger in the temple at Jerusalem. He found people selling oxen, sheep and doves as well as money changers in the church. He made a whip and chased all of them out of the temple.
So, what differentiates a sinful anger from a righteous one. If you’re angry because of anything that is abusing others and/or hurting others, then that is a righteous anger and you should feel free to express it. Thus when you see people doing things that are destroying others or themselves, you should feel free to express anger with a view to leading the people on the right path. It is important to ensure that you express your anger in love! Generally, sinful angers seek self justification while righteous anger seeks justice!
Anger itself is not a sin because it is just an emotion, but it’s consequence is what can be sinful or not. No wonder Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 4:26 (KJV), “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:” Now how do you know when your anger is sinful? First is the speed at which you get angry. James said “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:” James 1:19 (KJV). This is a command and so it’s important that you think deeply before reacting to your emotion of anger. Often, sinful anger is an attempt to take charge of the situation. It is a way of doing things in your own way as opposed to God’s way. God expects you to be long-suffering and this will not lead to spontaneous response to anger!
Nahum said of God in Nahum 1:3 (KJV), “The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked : the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.” God has given us the example to follow. Imagine what would have happened to you if God had rushed to punish you after every sin! It is important that you exercise patience before reacting when your anger is triggered.
Action Point: Always ask yourself if your action will be for self justification or justice before expressing your anger.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero