Mountaintop Musings: A biblical view of anger

Over the years I have had many opportunities to develop and exhibit self-control. I would love to say that I have always passed the test and been a model of patience, calmness and control. However, the report would show something quite different. I cannot count the times I have lost my temper, or out of just plain meanness spewed anger all-over people when things did not go the way I wanted them to go. I sure wish I could roll back the clock and redo a few things but alas I cannot. I imagine that everyone reading this would agree that is their feeling too. Why is it that we get so angry at times? Well the answers to that questions are infinite. And you know what, so are our excuses!

Anger is not unbiblical. Of course, one can read the Bible and see many examples of anger that are not approved by God; that reflect the selfish and mean-spirited desires that lurk in all our hearts. But that would be man’s anger, not God’s! Now God certainly does get angry. But when he does so, he does not diminish his holiness and it is without sinning. God was angry at Moses when he tried making excuses as to why he could not be used of God to deliver the Israelites from Egypt, Exodus 4:14. God promised the Jews that he would be angry if they wronged a stranger, widow or orphan, Exodus 22: 21-24. God is always holy (without sin, Leviticus 11:45 and 1 Peter 1:16); and without sin (Matthew 5:48).

Because God can get angry yet not sin, he is always showing mankind grace, compassion, forgiveness, love and truth. When we get angry, I imagine that grace (not giving someone something they deserve) is not the thing we often want to show people. As a parent if one of my kids acted up, they might have received a spanking. Now as a grandparent if one of my granddaughters does the same thing, they may receive a verbal rebuke, or a very light swat. In a sense that is showing them grace. I may have said I would swat them, but a back off.

One of the great things about God is that when he promises his favor or blessing on a person it lasts a lifetime. There is no reneging on a promise from God. Psalm 30:5 tells us that God’s anger is for a moment, but his favor is for a lifetime. That is a reassuring thought isn’t it? Psalm 78:38 tells us that God is forgiving and will often restrain his anger and wrath on our sin.

Because God is holy and just (perfect in all his ways) his anger is never motivated or controlled by selfish interests or desires. It is however, always directed towards rebellion and disobedience of his commands. You can look to Deuteronomy 29: 14-21; Romans 2:5 and Hebrews 3: 7-11 for a few verses that support that statement.

Jesus also got angry, but Like God the Father was always without sin. He was angry at the hypocrisy and legalism of the religious leaders. They condemned others while doing the very same thing. Often after Jesus rebuked them, he would perform a miracle on a person they were ignoring or condemning (Mark 3:5). When Jesus cleared the money-traders and folk from the temple it was his divine jealousy for the integrity and holiness of the temple of God. He did not want the Temple treated as a barn-yard or loan-sharking center.

We can be angry and sin not. It is only with the power of the Holy Spirit of God working in you and having the Word of God hidden in your heart. See 1 Samuel 11:6; 20:34; Job 32: 2-5; Ephesians 4: 26-27; romans 6: 12-13; 1 Corinthians 10:13; and 1 Peter 1: 14-16; 2: 21-22 for just a few verses that touch on this subject.

I hope this information will challenge you, as much as it does me. I know I always need God to work on my heart and mind so I will be the husband, father, grandfather, friend and pastor I need to be. God Bless you! Until next time…

(Dave & Lisa Carroll are area missionaries with InFaith. Source material for this article comes from the Biblical Counseling Foundation. You can contact Dave at 406.459.8935 or [email protected])