Anger, sometimes it just feels right. When your husband is insensitive, when the kids are selfish and squabble constantly, when your wife is disrespectful, anger stands ready to come to your defense. When others are not helpful anger is there to encourage you. When your pride is wounded, anger offers its healing power.
When anger is embraced, God is cast aside.
But what about righteous anger? That’s always the trap. Paul says in Ephesians 4:26 that in your anger you should not sin. So, since it is possible to be angry and not sin, it easy to welcome anger like a friendly ally when others sin against us.
But Ephesians 4:26 is not all that Paul has to say about anger. Just 5 verses later he commands that we must get rid of all anger! Is Paul contradicting himself? No, he is not. Anger does have its place, but that place is not in building relationships. When anger leads to self-justification for your sinful responses, it is never a good thing.
Paul says that you must be clothed in kindness and compassion towards others. You must follow the example of Christ. Anger will be of no help here. This is why he says to get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger. These relational traits will keep you from showing the love of Christ to those whom you love.
You must learn to ask this one question when anger offers its assistance you:
“Am I showing the kindness and compassion of Christ to those whom I love?”
Instead of engaging in anger, show the compassionate love of Christ when you think others fail you. Isn’t that what God does for you, when you sin against him? If God treated you as your sins deserve, you would not survive another minute!
Take another look at Ephesians 4:31-32. Anger is not your ally. It is a tool of the enemy to damage your relationships with those you love most. Listen carefully to Paul. Get rid of anger!
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. Ephesians 4:31-32