The Anger Trap

Even though we are sincere, we are rarely righteous in our anger. The Bible cautions us to, “Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger” (Ephesians 4:26). However, in reviewing our lives we would be more likely to discover that we are usually sinfully angry. We even find ourselves in heated discussions sharing our anger about others with those we love just before bedtime. Our justification is that if we share it with others or sleep on it, somehow it can get better.

To cover ourselves we couch our anger in different forms. We clearly are the “good guys” and the other person is the “villain.” Although the ire is dressed to make us look good or even righteous, we find that the root of problem looks hideous. Undressed our wrath simply is seen as avoidance, grudges, jealousy, slander, and hatred, to name a few of the molds it would take. Often our families feel the brunt of the side effects of our inappropriate anger which is exhibited through irritability and frustration.

Scriptures point out that anger is a snare which traps us, instead of just a way to vent (Proverbs 22:24-25). Also, instead of being empowered by our rightful tirade, we become a person who is defenseless and insecure (Proverbs 25:28). Job expresses the deadliness of anger when he states, “For anger slays the foolish man, And jealousy kills the simple” (Job 5:2). Ecclesiastes 7:9, cautions us not to rush into anger. And Jesus warns that our unrighteous anger puts us at risk for judgement (Matthew 5:22).

Both the Old and New Testaments encourage us to walk in a new way of thinking. They promote that we stop being angry, abandon our wrath, and allow God to be the ultimate judge. James 1:19 challenges us to be “slow to anger.” And Proverbs states that if we do become a person who is slow to become angry that we are among the great and mighty (Proverbs 14:29; 16:32).

As a person who has a relationship with Jesus we need to actively pursue putting anger out of our lives. We need to replace our anger with understanding, self control, and a gentle answer (Proverbs 14:29; 16:32; 15:1). The effectiveness of this will be determined by the intimacy that we have with Christ.

Prayer: Lord, allow me to grow closer to you each day, rely on Your judgements, and desire to be one who readily mends relationships and deals with items that could become elements of anger quickly.