Skip to main content

Is it Wrong for a Christian to Get Angry?

Image
By A.M.
photo by Gerd Altman at pixabay

Is it wrong for a Christian to get angry?

Is it a sin to be angry or Is anger a sin? Can a Christian get angry? Should a Christian ever get angry? Often unspoken, questions like these about anger go through a Christian's mind especially in the heat or after the heat of the moment. Let's quickly answer the question posed in the title. Is it wrong for a Christian to get angry? NO. I could already be in hot water after saying that. But before you leave this page, can you read this verse taken from the Bible? It says in Eph 4:26:

"Be angry, and do not sin..."
Indeed, there are a lot of verses that say that anger is sin but don't think that the Bible is contradicting itself here. Scriptures talk about right anger and wrong anger. Clearly, in the verse above, the Bible is talking about the right kind of anger. We can get angry and not sin. So, what is "right anger" and what is "wrong anger" then? When can a Christian get angry? How should a Christian deal with anger issues? Read on for some principles about anger in the life of a Christian.

By definition, anger is not a "wrong or sinful" emotion.


The Oxford Dictionary defines anger as a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility, and there is basically nothing wrong with that. You can be annoyed, displeased, or be hostile towards something or someone in the right way and for the right reason. Likewise, you can be those things for the wrong reason and in all the wrong ways.

Reason and Action determines whether your anger is right or wrong.

So, analyze all the reasons why you're angry and you'll know if it was right or wrong for you to get angry. Then, analyze all the ways you've acted on this anger and you'll know if it was right or wrong for you to express anger in that way.

You should never prolong anger nor escalate it.


Ephesians 4:26 also says that you shouldn't go to bed angry. You shouldn't let your day pass with unresolved anger. Get angry and get over it. Don't hold it against a person. It happened, you got angry, deal with it, and that should be it. At all times, prolonged anger is wrong. And anger that escalates is always wrong.

Your anger should not cause you to be a total "a**".


By reading that word, did you find what I said offensive? That's the point being made here. You can be angry but not become hurtful and distasteful in the way you express and handle it. Only babies are yet to master handling their emotions and handling your anger "like a baby' is always wrong.
photo by Mohamed Hassan https://pxhere.com/en/photographer/767067


When Is It Wrong to Get Angry?

Here, let's point out what's practical. It's obvious but not many people really think much about these:

It's wrong to get angry about unintentional mistakes or offenses.

Home and intimate relationships are the most common and worst places to see and experience wrong anger. A child spills water or food on the table or the floor and you go bonkers. That is wrong anger. 

Somebody said something that's not right or somebody misunderstood you. Can you get angry? Well, yes. But, how you respond is crucial to keeping your anger on the right track.

It's wrong to get angry about one's limitations or incapabilities.

People won't always meet your expectations but should you get worked up and lash out in anger? Your spouse can't think or do things the way you do and you go bonkers. That is wrong anger. A worker or a family member didn't follow according to your instructions or preferences and you get so angry. That is wrong anger.

Now, when somebody from work or business advertises or promises to deliver in a certain way and they fail, that's right anger. You were deceived there. It's not just a simple failing of expectations. Where there is a just cause for disappointment and complaint, that is right anger. Still, as a Child of God who bears Christ's name, you should know how to express anger right.

How Can You Get Angry Yet Not Sin?

What is right anger? When can a Christian get angry yet not sin? Let's lay out some of the situations here.

Anger when an offense is committed is right anger.
We're talking about valid offense here. Today, people get offended for the flimsiest reasons. "You said something I didn't like." "You looked at me in a certain way." "You dress and talk in a certain way I don't approve of." A lot of The world and Social Media revolve around people who get offended over the slightest of things. So many angry people lash out wrongly.


Anger over wrong actions and words is right anger.
It is only right and natural to get angry when somebody is doing wrong, when a promise is broken, when a crime is committed, when a boundary is crossed, when trust is broken, etc. Where there is dishonesty and deceit, tolerance is not the response, but rather, a strong rebuke.

Anger in defense of God is right anger.
The world offends God everyday. So many atheists, so many people are just against God and everything He stands for. So many are against Christians. And when this is happening right in your face, that is not the time to be polite. That is the time to speak out and point out the wrong. That is a valid time to express and defend God and the Truth.


Hey, do you have anything to add to this discussion? I'd love to hear it in the comments below.








Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Thanks for visiting. Love to hear your thoughts or questions in the comments box!

Popular posts from this blog

Container Gardening: Planting KangKong in Pots (Water Spinach)

By A.M.
Kang kong is a well-known leafy vegetable used in many Philippine dishes. It is quite easy to grow they say. There was a time when you can find kangkong patches on most streets in the neighborhood. It is also called water spinach or swamp cabbage. It thrives in wet, moist areas. Many grow it solely in water. It quickly grows under sunny spots but carers should keep the soil moist. Else, it may die. Some tips: Not much intstructions on planting. Just bury the seed and keep the soil moist or muddy.  Kangkong grows all year round. Cut maybe an inch or two above the soil for continued regrowth and harvesting. Winter may see your plant dying but often, it regrows by spring. You may fertilize with nitrogen twice a month. You may harvest whole plants at about 1 to 2 months. Kangkong has the tendency to spread. Grow in a container for easy maintenance or harvest whole plants to control your supply. It is best to use potting soil for your containers. Putting regular soil in res...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why Am I Sleepy During the Day?

By A.M.
What's causing your eyes and brain to shut down during the day? Why can't you keep your eyes open just when you really need to get some work or reading done? If you’ve been asking yourself, “ Why am I sleepy during the day ?” or struggling with that mid-morning or afternoon crash, you’re not alone. Millions of people deal with daytime sleepiness that makes it hard to focus, stay productive, or even enjoy daily activities. The good news? Most causes are simple and fixable once you know what’s behind that drowsy feeling. Too Many Carbs – A Common Cause of Daytime Fatigue If you're not careful, you can over-consume carbohydrates. And when you're takin in more carbohydrates than you can burn, you will get sleepy. Dr. Libby says it's either because your insulin levels are high or you might be gluten intolerant. Eat pasta, bread, potatoes and rice in moderation and space them properly. Studies show that a meal high in refined carbs can spike your blood sugar, followe...
Post a Comment
Read more

Choose Gratitude!

By A.M.
Gratitude is how you deal with worry and anxiety. Gratitude helps you get over yourself. As Christians, we are called to practice gratitude every moment, not just when life is going smoothly but especially in the hard moments. Gratitude anchors our hearts to God’s faithfulness and reminds us that we are never alone. Gratitude Helps Us See Beyond Ourselves Somewhere in the world, in this very moment, someone is dying without Jesus. Someone is living it tough. They’re without hope, unaware that God is nearby, ready to save. As followers of Christ, cultivating a heart of gratitude keeps us sensitive to these realities, pushing us to pray, share the Gospel, and love others intentionally. It also moves us to keep appreciating our salvation and security in Christ, now and whatever happens in the future. People are out there, wrestling with the purpose of life. They have never known the presence and loving touch of the One True God. They have yet to experience a relationship with the Only ...
Post a Comment
Read more