[… rid yourselves of] … anger …
Summary: Anger has been around for a long time. In most cases, human anger is the result of putting ourselves before God. When that happens, frustration and anger are not far behind.
The kingdom of heaven doesn’t just happen by itself. The King’s people need to stand up and be counted for the kingdom to exist on earth.
One way we are counted as People of God is by mastering our anger. God’s people don’t get angry. Well, not like ordinary people, anyway.
So what is anger, anyway?
Anger is an emotional response to not getting our way. In biblical terms, it is a condition that occurs when we put our “self” first and God second. One illustration that comes to mind is the story of Jonah.
Jonah has his own book in the Bible, and if you haven’t read it, I recommend reading it. Jonah’s story is famous because he ends up being swallowed by a “big fish” for three days. It is slightly less famous for its description of Jonah’s anger issues.
Jonah didn’t like the people of Nineveh. Going clear back to the Table of Nations in Genesis, chapter nine, it is recorded that Nineveh was built by the sons of Ham. Ham was one of Noah’s three sons who were in the ark with him during the flood. Because Ham didn’t show respect for his father, he fell under his father’s curse, and eventually, his descendants populated the land of Canaan (Canaan was Ham’s other name).
Long story short, the Assyrians who lived in Nineveh were considered enemies of Israel in Jonah’s time, so when God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and warn them about God’s wrath, Jonah ran away, which is how he ended up in the fish and was finally forced to go to Nineveh and give them God’s warning.
After he had made a lame attempt to warn them, the Ninevites repented, and God spared them. Meanwhile, Johah had plopped his butt down on the hill overlooking Nineveh and was waiting for God to destroy the city. When God didn’t do what Jonah wanted, he became angry.
God, watching Jonah pout, asks him, “Is it right for you to be angry?” (Jonah 4:4)
When God watches us as we get angry, the same question comes to mind; “Is it right for [us] to be angry?”
The answer, in case you are wondering, is “No.” (Matthew 5:22) Instead, God wants us to remember that he is in charge (Romans 8:28). It is hard to be angry when we do remember who is in charge. Whatever happens, God has a plan, and things that frustrate or hurt us take on a different meaning when we see them through God’s eyes.
Application: Fight anger by putting God’s will first.
Food for Thought: How does being angry reflect on God?
I’m not sure how to answer this question. I do know that is one believes God is just an angry Creator, eager to drop the hammer in condemnation, they are more inclined to hide from Him in shame, or shake their fist at Him in defiance.
A believer who walk in faith with Christ understands the truth about righteousness and sin, and an all-powerful God that provides justice, forgiveness, atonement, grace, and love. If we don’t present evidence of this in our life, we fortify the idea that God is unforgiving.
Chris,
I think you did a great job answering the question. If we claim to have Christ in us, then our behavior reflects our Lord.
I suppose if we act angry as believers then we become a bad testimony. We claim His name but then don’t live the way He called us to live. Anger can take hold of us and create an unattractive and incorrect representation of Christ to the world.
Ephesians 4: 26 – 27: “In your anger do not sin” d : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
Ephesians 4: 31 – 32: Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Bitterness, rage and anger stand in contrast to being kind, compassionate and forgiving. One reflects worldly principles and the other reflects Christ’s character. We have a moment by moment opportunity to choose the Christlike character and represent Him well to the world.
Thanks, Rich!
Yes, I agree. Well said!
I agree with your reflections about anger arising when I have put myself before God. I am always tempted to this prideful approach to life. Repentance and humility are gifts. I want the righteousness of God rather than my ways, which typically lead to dead ends. My anger as a man does not achieve the righteous of God. In Him is all Life. Even if it appears I will not get my way, it is His Way that leads to Life.
James 1:19-22 KJV
[19] Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: [20] for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. [21] Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. [22] But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Adam,
Nice to hear from you! Great verse! I also like your approach to wanting the righteousness of God. That is what He wants for us, too.