…because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
I find it interesting that James says we should be “slow to become angry” instead of telling us not to get angry. Why? Is James saying it is okay to be angry if it is the slow kind? In today’s verse, James sheds a bit more light on what he meant by “angry.”
James distinguishes “human anger” and “slow anger.” So what is the difference? What is it about human anger that James doesn’t like? This is a situation where it helps to look at the underlying Greek to better understand what was meant.
The word translated as “angry” in the NIV is from the Greek word, orgē. The Strong’s Concordance defines the Greek as “anger, indignation, vengeance, wrath.” The KJV uses the word “wrath” in place of anger. Sometimes using a different word helps us to better understand the intent of the Greek. If we substitute “wrath” for “anger,” a subtle difference appears.
Human wrath is very different than God’s wrath. God’s wrath is justified because God is perfect in all aspects, including judgment. If something draws God’s wrath, there is a very good reason for it.
Human wrath is based on human judgment and human judgment is inherently flawed. Our perspective is limited, our knowledge finite. We can only know a tiny fraction of all that there is to know about a given situation. What little we do know is colored by our assumptions and biases. Human wrath is all about us.
If we can accept that human anger is flawed, we do well to avoid it. The only anger that is acceptable to God is completely in line with his values. Even then, God’s wrath is tempered by incredible patience. The patience of God outlives many lifetimes of men. When James writes that we should be “slow to become angry” we have no idea of the time frame he is talking about. Do a thousand years even begin to measure the patience of God?
Application: Recognize human anger as flawed and strive for the patience of God.
Food for Thought: What kind of righteousness does God desire for us?
If we define righteousness as being in right relationship with God (an admittedly simple definition), then the righteousness we need is the righteousness God provides in Christ as opposed to a self righteousness. God desires righteous actions (and reactions to anger) that resemble what we saw in the life of Jesus. Jesus wasn’t angry when He was personally insulted or mistreated (“Father forgive them for they do not know what they do”). But He was angry at the unjust oppression of others or when others were were be hindered from coming to Him (those keeping little children from coming to Him; people getting robbed when they want to buy sacrifices to pray at the temple).
Rich,
Thank you for your thoughtful response! You have illustrated the point very well.
The question remains, even if I am acting in accordance with God’s anger, is there any room for my own anger? I am inclined to think that in any situation I am best off avoiding anger, even if I am acting in accordance with God’s anger. (Please share more if you can expand on this.)
This is our battle between flesh and spirit. If you are referring to fleshly wrath, the answer is no. If we are led by the Spirit, let us walk in the Spirit. The difference is difficult to identify in the heat of the moment but probably clear after we have calmed a bit. Will our actions bring glory to God? See Stephen’s rant in Acts 7.
JEC,
I appreciate the example of Stephen’s “rant” as you call it. I wonder how people in general “hear” Stephan’s voice in that example. Was he angry, or calmly stating a fact?
👍🏻
I think Jesus was angry on several occasions: when he turned over the tables, a couple of times with the Pharisees. He was “indignant” in John 11 when dealing with how death hurt people. I believe He was angry when it dealt with others being oppressed, when others relationship with God suffered due to human stumbling blocks, when Satan’s deception led to pain and death. So if we are angry at the same things, that may be just. I am angry that children are abused and at sex trafficking that targets the vulnerable. I think that is a good anger, yet how I deal with it is where the rubber meets the road. I hope that clarifies just a little where I am coming from.
Rich,
Thanks for the additional comment! It does clarify the issue for me. I don’t know if I can express this very well, but I see a difference between the anger you are describing and what I think James means by “human anger.” I think it is important to distinguish between the two kinds.
The anger you describe is what I see as righteous indignation. It is, as we have discussed, in line with God’s values. While God offers forgiveness for the repentant child abuser, there is no place for child abuse in God’s love. Such actions draw his wrath and should repulse us as well.
Human anger would result – in my case – if someone abused my child or grandchild. The anger would well up from within me. To a point this would align with God’s wrath towards such things. There is a danger, however, of sinning in my anger in such a case.
This is a complicated topic! I appreciate the comments and thoughts shared. I hope this is helpful to those who might read it.
Thank you brother. I concur.