Be angry and sin not

[David from New Bern]

Be ye angry and sin not: Let not the sun go down on your wrath. Ephesian 4:26 When does anger become sin? Is anger ever sin from it origination even before it bares the fruit of sinful action?

[RGR]

I think there's nothing wrong with getting mad per se. It's when we decide that we're going to take matters out of God's hands and settle them that we become sinful acting. Remember, even Jesus was angry with the money changers and drove them out, so I would say anger in and of itself is not wrong, but we must turn it over to God. Studies have shown that continued anger is NEVER a good thing and has detrimental effects on the body. So, yes, get mad but give it to God!

[David from New Bern]

What is the real difference between righteous indignation and self-centered anger? And how will they behave differently? And is it ever wrong not to get mad?

[Dad Ernie]

What is the real difference between righteous indignation and self-centered anger? And how will they behave differently? And is it ever wrong not to get mad?

Greetings David,

Consider:

Matthew 21:12-13 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Do you think that Jesus was mad at what was happening with the temple?

Anger is good if you use it to bring about the glory of God. It will cause you to take steps to alleviate that anger. The problem we have is that we as humans tend to attempt to satisfy the flesh. The flesh can never be satisfied. If we direct our steps according to the Word by the direction of the Holy Spirit, something constructive will come out of it.

Hope that helps.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[dakota190]

Be ye angry and sin not: Let not the sun go down on your wrath. Ephesian 4:26 When does anger become sin? Is anger ever sin from it origination even before it bares the fruit of sinful action?

being angry isn't wrong or sinful, but the out of control, yelling,spitting, eye bulging, hitting, rage is. as a minimum it is a poor witness for Jesus. (but with the grace of God, i'm working on it. i don't hit)

Edited April 29, 2006 by dakota190

[David from New Bern]

I heard one counselor describe depression as quiet anger...what do you think?

[tah]

Yup...

[DaniJ87]

Sometimes I think it depends mostly on the motivation of the anger...

(I'm talking before any actions take place)..

If you are angry because YOU didn't get something that YOU thought YOU deserved... it's sinful... it's selfishness.

If you are angry because something is being said about God that isn't true, or because glory is being taken from Him; that's righteous...

that's how I understand it... though this is a pretty simplistic example.

[David from New Bern]

Sometimes I think it depends mostly on the motivation of the anger...

(I'm talking before any actions take place)..

If you are angry because YOU didn't get something that YOU thought YOU deserved... it's sinful... it's selfishness.

If you are angry because something is being said about God that isn't true, or because glory is being taken from Him; that's righteous...

that's how I understand it... though this is a pretty simplistic example.

If I am responding to defend my pride it is wrong, but if I am defending a victim or the cause of Christ it is right.