BE ANGRY BUT DON’T SIN (YEAH RIGHT!?!)

BE ANGRY BUT DON’T SIN 

(YEAH RIGHT!?!)

By Dwight Cunkle

(based on The Anger Trap by Dr Les Carter)

To abide in Jesus (live in the life of The Prince of Peace) and be his dwelling place I will probably have to deal with anger in both forms (healthy and unhealthy). Paul wrote "be angry but don't sin." I'm pretty good at the first part; Not So good at the second. Jesus shows us the right reasons for righteous anger and ways to respond. Selfishness was not one of them. Love can actually be a proper source for righteous anger.

Why is there so much anger? Because of so much Pain!
Types of pain include fear, insecurity and abuse. Other causes of anger include misunderstandings about spiritual and emotional maturity or what it means to be a man or what the true nature of authority is. People trapped in anger often try to exert control in order to meet their demands. If that sounds selfish it is, but remember that much unhealthy anger comes from unresolved pain not just selfishness.
Can angry people change?

If one of the "Sons of Thunder" could become the Apostle of Love (and we don't mean x's and o's) then there is the hope for us. Holy Spirit can uncover and resolve the sources and actions of anger which are harmful not only to ourselves but to those around us if we humble ourselves and ask grace to abide in his love. It’s a long process to learn when to both be angry and take proper actions, while abiding in the love of God.

?What? Be angry and be in God's love at same time?
Do I know I am loved unconditionally by God and have no need to protect myself from him and his will? That is the purpose of anger-to protect myself or others. Do I feel respected by God? Do I think that I have significance to God? Do I feel treated unfairly by God or think He handles others wrongly? Can I talk to God honestly about our relationship and be open to what He will say back to me? Then I am well on the way to handling anger in healthy ways; both my anger toward others and anger from others directed at me.
David handled anger without damaging his relationship with God. He was cautious to not react defensively toward those who mistreated him (like  Saul) but he also expressed his anger toward others like Saul's daughter, his wife. She didn't just disrespect him but the God he was worshipping by his "undignified dance".
So we see that David showed righteous anger toward the enemies of God like Goliath- he fought them. David loved God and knew he was loved by God. That is the source of learning how to be free from bad anger and yet respond rightly when anger is justified.

May God heal us from old wounds and fears and fill us with his  love. We also ask for the courage to speak and act for God's justice for the oppressed and enslaved (who are experiencing a kind of “hell on earth”) and God give us courage to witness and work in mercy and love for those He will save from eternal hell. Be angry and sin not.