Anger
Eph 4:26 KJV 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
We see that to be angry in itself is not a sin. God has given us various emotions that we practice on a daily basis. Anger becomes sin when it is left unchecked or it burns out of control. The first part of this verse is the arousal of the emotion within oneself. Jesus' anger aroused when He ran the money changers out of the temple (John 2:13-17), yet Jesus did not sin. Anger defined is a strong feeling of displeasure, and that is exactly what Jesus had with the money changers.
The second part of this verse is referring to that anger or wrath that is not dealt with or controlled. [Pro 30:33 NASB] 33 For the churning of milk produces butter, And pressing the nose brings forth blood; So the churning of anger produces strife. Anger that is not controlled can cause so many things that are unpleasing to God. It takes roughly 30-minutes to churn butter, and that process takes a lot of effort to achieve 120+ strokes per minute. Taking that into consideration of how long one must stew in their anger and the effort that is being put forth in order for strife to come about.
Christians are to be temperate, have self-control, over one's own body. [1Co 9:27 NASB] 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. One must have the wisdom of God's word: [Jas 3:13-18 NASB] 13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and [so] lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
[Mat 5:21-24 NASB] 21 "You have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' 22 "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty [enough to go] into the fiery hell. 23 "Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.
Mike Parks
Hardin County Church of Christ
February 23, 2021
