DON’T LET ANGER CONTROL YOU
And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
Ephesians 4:26-27 (NLT)
It’s not a sin to be angry.
It’s possible you already knew that. But I believe that for many of us, we’ve always heard we shouldn’t get angry. That to do so is to sin. And that simply can’t be true, because Jesus, who was perfect and knew no sin, was at times angry. Other translations of Ephesians 4:26 say: in your anger, do not sin. This phrasing makes it even clearer that anger is not necessarily a sin.
Some things are justifiable to be angry about. The miscarriage of justice. The harming of the least of these. Oppression, evil and sin should stir something inside us—a righteous outrage and indignation. God calls us to speak to these situations. That’s why Jesus flipped the tables and made a whip to drive out the money changers and their business (see John 2:13-17).
But the key is not to let your anger control you. I know there are times when I allow my emotions, particularly anger, to run away with me. Perhaps you’ve been there. You started with what you believed was a justifiable reason to be upset. Perhaps even a moral line had been crossed and sin committed. If we’re not careful, we can easily slip into a place where that anger and indignation can turn into pride and rage. Before you know it, you’re the one in the wrong, even if you started in the right. Anger makes a terrible master.
I think of Proverbs 29:11 (NIV): Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.
As you’re experiencing strong emotions, it’s almost always a good idea to slow down. Ask some questions as you restrain your immediate response. Do I have all the facts? Am I being objective? Has a sin been committed? Was there maliciousness behind what has taken place? I’ve found that walking through questions like these helps me not to let my anger run away with me, even if there are legitimate grounds to be moved to anger.
APPLICATION: Who is in control—you or your emotions? Stop right now and consider the anger you’ve felt lately. Walk through the questions outlined in the paragraph above. Ask God to give you wisdom and discernment in this. Then, ask Him to help you to control your emotions.
PRAYER: Father, help me not to vent my rage fully. Through the power of Your Spirit, grant that I might harness my emotions. Do not let me sin in my anger; instead, bring honor and glory to You in my responses. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?