In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold Ephesians 4:26-27
The beginning of anger is almost always some form of hurt. An individual who is often angered is one who is often hurt. This may, or may not, because by those around them. If that anger is left to reside for any length of time it becomes bitterness. Bitterness is like a cancer which begins as a single cell and yet rapidly divides and grows until it consumes its host.
There is no way that God is honored by the presence of bitterness in the life of His children. The wording of Ephesians 4:26-27 does not support the assumption that anger in and of itself is sinful. The four imperative verbs found in these verses make the translation clear. The apostle Paul commands us to "be angry." But he doesn't stop there.
Be angry -God knows that anger is an important and necessary emotion for a healthy person living in a fallen world. As seen in this passage, its New Testament use can represent an emotion good or bad, depending on motive and purpose.
Paul realized the potential for devastating harm that can comes from unbridled rage. The first command to “be angry” is qualified by the three prohibitions that follow.
Do not sin-The command is not to avoid anger, but to avoid sinful anger. Anger is not momentary, outward, boiling–over rage or inward, seething resentment; but rather a deep–seated, determined and settled conviction.
Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry- Don't nurse anger. This commands us to deal with our anger as soon as we are aware of it.
· Don't stuff it inside and brood over it. It will only fester. Take it out of the dark and expose it to the light.
· Let the truth burn away your rage before it grows and deepens and hardens.
· Do not give the devil an opportunity. In moments of anger, the devil has opportunity for a foothold to destroy families, divide churches, and damage testimonies. He will feed our anger with self–pity, pride, self–righteousness, vengeance, defense of our rights, and every other sort of selfish sin.
· It's alright to feel anger, but we should not allow it to rule. You may have the right to be angry, but it does not give you the right to be rude.
As humans we often feel completely powerless over our issues like anger. We feel we can’t control it sometimes, and we can’t. But Christ in us can control and conquer anger. It is all about recognizing that in our own power we are helpless against all sin, but in His power, our weakness is His strength. He takes our weakens against sin and turns it into victory in His name.
It is not okay to say It’s a problem for me and I just have no control. Or That’s just how I am. I can’t change. God made a way for us out of every single issue we struggle with. He gave His son so that we could be free from all sins. If you are struggling with anger, turn it over to Him. He will give you the strength to overcome. Where we fail, He prevails. Where we are insufficient, His is all sufficient. Give it to Him and receive His power over your weakness today.
so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
