October 12th, 2025
by Min. Kerry Harper
by Min. Kerry Harper
A Biblical Look a Anger: Concluded
Anger is a universal human emotion, one that can surge through us like a tempest, threatening to capsize our relationships and derail our spiritual journey. But what if we could harness this powerful force and steer it in a direction that glorifies God? Today, we conclude our exploration of anger from a Christian perspective, diving deep into its nature, its manifestations, and most importantly, how we can approach it in a way that aligns with God's will.
First and foremost, it's crucial to understand that not all anger is sinful. This realization can be liberating for many Christians who have labored under the misconception that any form of anger is wrong. The truth is, anger is an emotion that God Himself experiences, as we see throughout Scripture. The key lies in how we handle and express this potent feeling.
As we navigate the waters of anger, we encounter two distinct types: righteous anger and unrighteous anger. Righteous anger conforms to God's will and is the type of anger referred to in Ephesians 4:26, which instructs us to "be angry and do not sin." This is anger directed towards injustice, sin, and situations that dishonor God.
Unrighteous anger, on the other hand, is the worldly, secular type of anger that often leads to harmful words and actions. It's the anger that prompts us to "give someone a piece of our mind" or resort to violence. This type of anger manifests in two primary modes: ventilation and internalization.
Ventilation is the explosive expression of anger, often directed at the object of our frustration. The Greek word for this is "thermos," which relates to temperature – in this case, the heated side of emotions. It comprises wrath (violent anger or fury) and rage (uncontrolled anger). We see an example of this in Luke 4:28, where the Pharisees, filled with wrath, sought to kill Jesus after He cleansed the temple.
Internalization, the second mode of unrighteous anger, is common among Christians who believe all anger is wrong. This leads to suppressing anger, or "clamming up," which can simmer inside like a slow burner. Over time, this internalized anger can erupt in harmful ways, leading to contention and disagreements.
So how do we, as followers of Christ, deal with anger in a way that honors God? The answer lies in cultivating righteous anger – directing our intense emotions towards solutions in a manner pleasing to God. This requires us to pause and reflect before reacting, a practice beautifully outlined in James 1:19-21:
"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls."
To help us navigate these turbulent waters, we can use the acronym PAUSE:
P - Put off knee-jerk reactions, knowing our propensity to sin with anger.
A - Acknowledge that anger can be a God-given alert but is not the means to solve problems.
U - Understand before seeking to be understood.
S - Search the Scriptures for guidance.
E - Evangelize yourself before admonishing others.
This framework encourages us to slow down, listen, and seek God's wisdom before acting on our anger. It reminds us that anger is an alarm, not an answer – it alerts us to problems but was never intended to be the solution.
As we strive to handle our anger in a godly manner, we must remember the power of prayer and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. When we feel that heat rising from our collar, that rage building inside, we can pause and whisper a prayer: "Lord, You said You would help me with this. I need You now more than ever."
Moreover, we must never ignore or deny our anger. Instead, we should acknowledge it and deal with it immediately, as Scripture advises us not to let the sun go down on our wrath. The longer we sit with unresolved anger, the more opportunities we give to Satan to lead us astray.
In our journey to manage anger, the Word of God is our most powerful tool. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." By immersing ourselves in Scripture, we equip ourselves to handle anger in a way that conforms to God's will.
Ultimately, dealing with anger in a godly manner requires humility and a willingness to surrender our emotions to the Lord. It's about recognizing that we can't do it alone and that we need God's strength and guidance. Like the prodigal son returning home, we can always come back to our Heavenly Father, seeking His forgiveness and help in overcoming our struggles with anger.
As we conclude this exploration of anger, let's remember that God's love and forgiveness are always available to us. No matter how far we may have strayed or how angry we may have become, His arms are open wide, ready to embrace us and help us become the people He created us to be.
May we all strive to handle our anger in a way that glorifies God, seeking His wisdom and strength in every heated moment. Let us be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, always aiming to reflect Christ's love and compassion in our interactions with others. In doing so, we can transform our anger from a destructive force into a powerful tool for positive change and spiritual growth.
Kerry Harper
Anger is a universal human emotion, one that can surge through us like a tempest, threatening to capsize our relationships and derail our spiritual journey. But what if we could harness this powerful force and steer it in a direction that glorifies God? Today, we conclude our exploration of anger from a Christian perspective, diving deep into its nature, its manifestations, and most importantly, how we can approach it in a way that aligns with God's will.
First and foremost, it's crucial to understand that not all anger is sinful. This realization can be liberating for many Christians who have labored under the misconception that any form of anger is wrong. The truth is, anger is an emotion that God Himself experiences, as we see throughout Scripture. The key lies in how we handle and express this potent feeling.
As we navigate the waters of anger, we encounter two distinct types: righteous anger and unrighteous anger. Righteous anger conforms to God's will and is the type of anger referred to in Ephesians 4:26, which instructs us to "be angry and do not sin." This is anger directed towards injustice, sin, and situations that dishonor God.
Unrighteous anger, on the other hand, is the worldly, secular type of anger that often leads to harmful words and actions. It's the anger that prompts us to "give someone a piece of our mind" or resort to violence. This type of anger manifests in two primary modes: ventilation and internalization.
Ventilation is the explosive expression of anger, often directed at the object of our frustration. The Greek word for this is "thermos," which relates to temperature – in this case, the heated side of emotions. It comprises wrath (violent anger or fury) and rage (uncontrolled anger). We see an example of this in Luke 4:28, where the Pharisees, filled with wrath, sought to kill Jesus after He cleansed the temple.
Internalization, the second mode of unrighteous anger, is common among Christians who believe all anger is wrong. This leads to suppressing anger, or "clamming up," which can simmer inside like a slow burner. Over time, this internalized anger can erupt in harmful ways, leading to contention and disagreements.
So how do we, as followers of Christ, deal with anger in a way that honors God? The answer lies in cultivating righteous anger – directing our intense emotions towards solutions in a manner pleasing to God. This requires us to pause and reflect before reacting, a practice beautifully outlined in James 1:19-21:
"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls."
To help us navigate these turbulent waters, we can use the acronym PAUSE:
P - Put off knee-jerk reactions, knowing our propensity to sin with anger.
A - Acknowledge that anger can be a God-given alert but is not the means to solve problems.
U - Understand before seeking to be understood.
S - Search the Scriptures for guidance.
E - Evangelize yourself before admonishing others.
This framework encourages us to slow down, listen, and seek God's wisdom before acting on our anger. It reminds us that anger is an alarm, not an answer – it alerts us to problems but was never intended to be the solution.
As we strive to handle our anger in a godly manner, we must remember the power of prayer and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. When we feel that heat rising from our collar, that rage building inside, we can pause and whisper a prayer: "Lord, You said You would help me with this. I need You now more than ever."
Moreover, we must never ignore or deny our anger. Instead, we should acknowledge it and deal with it immediately, as Scripture advises us not to let the sun go down on our wrath. The longer we sit with unresolved anger, the more opportunities we give to Satan to lead us astray.
In our journey to manage anger, the Word of God is our most powerful tool. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." By immersing ourselves in Scripture, we equip ourselves to handle anger in a way that conforms to God's will.
Ultimately, dealing with anger in a godly manner requires humility and a willingness to surrender our emotions to the Lord. It's about recognizing that we can't do it alone and that we need God's strength and guidance. Like the prodigal son returning home, we can always come back to our Heavenly Father, seeking His forgiveness and help in overcoming our struggles with anger.
As we conclude this exploration of anger, let's remember that God's love and forgiveness are always available to us. No matter how far we may have strayed or how angry we may have become, His arms are open wide, ready to embrace us and help us become the people He created us to be.
May we all strive to handle our anger in a way that glorifies God, seeking His wisdom and strength in every heated moment. Let us be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, always aiming to reflect Christ's love and compassion in our interactions with others. In doing so, we can transform our anger from a destructive force into a powerful tool for positive change and spiritual growth.
Kerry Harper
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