Be Angry, But Don’t Sin
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger. (Ephesians 4:26)
There is a common misconception about anger that needs to be cleared up. Feeling angry about something is not a problem. It’s not sinful. Even God gets angry. Psalm 7 talks about how God is a righteous God and a God who also feels anger and indignation. And if God, who is without sin, can be angry, then we know anger isn’t a sin.
However, we get into trouble when we give into that anger and our anger is the motivation for our sin. The thing about God is that He turns His anger into something good and productive. When God saw the mistreatment of the orphans, the widows, and the impoverished, the Bible says His wrath was kindled, and therefore He sent Moses to liberate His people from their oppression.
Similarly, we should too express some level of anger and rage toward the injustices in our world today. When we see racism, sexism, or bigotry, we should become angry and frustrated. But rather than let our anger and our rage ruin us, we should use it to advance us.
Moses learned that the problem wasn’t that he had anger, but that his anger had him and it became his master. And when that happens, that’s when you sin. But you have the power, through the Holy Spirit, to transform your anger into positive action.
So, the next time you’re angry, I would encourage you to consider how you can act on that anger in a manner that is positive, profitable, and productive, rather than acting on it a way that can be hurtful, harmful, and hypocritical. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom and discernment when it comes to managing your anger, and pray that He will allow you to use it for good rather than for evil.
There is a common misconception about anger that needs to be cleared up. Feeling angry about something is not a problem. It’s not sinful. Even God gets angry. Psalm 7 talks about how God is a righteous God and a God who also feels anger and indignation. And if God, who is without sin, can be angry, then we know anger isn’t a sin.
However, we get into trouble when we give into that anger and our anger is the motivation for our sin. The thing about God is that He turns His anger into something good and productive. When God saw the mistreatment of the orphans, the widows, and the impoverished, the Bible says His wrath was kindled, and therefore He sent Moses to liberate His people from their oppression.
Similarly, we should too express some level of anger and rage toward the injustices in our world today. When we see racism, sexism, or bigotry, we should become angry and frustrated. But rather than let our anger and our rage ruin us, we should use it to advance us.
Moses learned that the problem wasn’t that he had anger, but that his anger had him and it became his master. And when that happens, that’s when you sin. But you have the power, through the Holy Spirit, to transform your anger into positive action.
So, the next time you’re angry, I would encourage you to consider how you can act on that anger in a manner that is positive, profitable, and productive, rather than acting on it a way that can be hurtful, harmful, and hypocritical. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom and discernment when it comes to managing your anger, and pray that He will allow you to use it for good rather than for evil.
Subscribe Now for Free Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Plenty of RoomThankful for Your SeatWho God Invites to the TableThat’s the PointWe Do Not Have a Monopoly on GodStop Talking So LoudLet God Handle the Guest ListA Long-Awaited ReunionSeeing Jesus for YourselfIn Possession of a Personal PromiseGet in the Right PositionReady to ReceiveAligning Your Life for God's PromiseWaiting with ExpectancyGrounded in PrayerStrength in PrayerPatience Through PrayerStay Focused Through PrayerGod's Conditional PromisesGod’s PriorityGrounded in FaithTrusting God's TimingThe Assurance of God's PromisesIs It Well With Your Soul?Health vs. HealingStewarding Your BodyA Holistic View of SpiritualityGod Cares About Your BodyWhat You Put in MattersNourishing Your SoulThe Power of Prevention
February
The Power of a ComebackHealing from the PastStop Blaming and Start TrustingBury the Past to Claim the FutureFacing Trauma with TruthCelebrate That You SurvivedRepair What is BrokenNothing God Can’t FixDon’t Swing at Bad PitchesStick to God’s PlanDon’t Let Desperation Drive YouShift Your WeightWho Knows Best?A Good Idea Isn’t Always a God IdeaPeace in God’s PlanFinding Purpose in God’s PlanProsperity in God’s PlanTrusting God’s Plan, Pace, and ProcessKnowing When to PivotGod Hasn’t Given Up on YouNext-Level Faith Requires PerseveranceA New Revelation of GodIt’s Not All About YouNext-Level ConnectionsNext-Level CommitmentA Prayer That Moves GodPrayers That Carry a BurdenPray With Boldness
March
A Solid FoundationPositioned for BlessingMarked by LoveTrust God's JudgmentRest in God's DeliveranceLet Go of ControlWhat You Want MostWhy Church Still MattersFaith in the Midst of DisappointmentJoy for the JourneyA Place of SafetyStrength in CommunityPeace in the ChaosThe Purpose of the ValleySeasons ChangeUnshaken in the StormHold OnThe Power of ResilienceNever AloneGod Is Closer Than You ThinkLet Go of WorryLet Go of WorryBelieve Before You SeeResilient FaithHow to Be a Success God's WayTrue Success Starts with the SoulSuccess Through SurrenderCharacter That Speaks for ItselfThe Power of Being RealKeep GrowingSuccess in the Face of Opposition
No Comments