When Angry Do Not Sin

Ephesians 4:26-27 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.

Be angry. Most of us can accomplish easily we don't even have to try. It happens without any warning. In this verse it tells us to be angry. The Bible doesn't tells us that we shouldn't feel angry, but it points out that it is important to handle our anger properly. If vented thoughtlessly anger can hurt others and destroy relationships. If bottled up inside, it can cause is to become bitter and destroy us from within. Paul tells us to deal with our anger immediately in a way that builds relationships rather than destroys them. If we nurse our anger, we will give the devil an opportunity to divide us. Are you angry with someone right now? What can you do to resolve your differences? Don't let the day end before you begin to work on mending your relationship. In the NIV translation it reads, "In your anger do not sin."

Psalm 30:5  For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes int he morning.
God in his anger may temporarily turn His face away, but by way of resolvement not by the way of rejection. He understands our need to look away or walk away from the source of displeasure to prevent a destructive venting of anger. We do not walk away from others to punish them; we turn away so the embers of anger can cool and reason can again rule our hearts. We are to turn away momentarily so we can separate the person from his actions, words, or behavior. Godly anger does not reject the person, it rejects his transgression and with a pure and good conscience seeks a moment of solitude one from the other. There are times when His hand is heavy upon me, and I know I am experiencing His displeasure at my behavior. When it becomes more than I can bear, I will repent in earnest and ask for His forgiveness. The heaviness will lift, and I will find my heart filled with his love and promises when I feel so unworthy of them. I know I deserve judgment, yet He bestows mercy instead. He is gathering me back to Himself with His great and gracious mercies. He tells me, "You are still mine, I still love you, I know you want to do right. I believes that you will change. I forgive and I forget it." He wants me to be certain that I am still His child and not rejected by Him even though my actions, words, or behavior are not acceptable to him. Time and anger are intertwined. The longer an offense goes unresolved, the more deep-seated it becomes. Then the heart becomes a hot bed for a root of bitterness.

Pray: Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus. May your word be a light unto my feet and a lamp unto my path. Show me the pathway of the righteous that I might walk in a manner pleasing to your sight. Teach me to be angry and sin not.