Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:26-27
God became angry many, many times when the Israelites didn’t fully obey him.
Jesus became angry when the moneychangers were misusing God’s house and
cheating people.
If both God the Father and God the Son (Jesus) became angry, is anger a sin?
Anger in itself is not a sin. Anger becomes a sin when a person becomes angry too quickly without fully thinking through or understanding a situation. Anger becomes sin when an angry person lashes out at an innocent person. Anger becomes sin when it lasts too long and turns into revenge.
In today’s verse, Paul warns that we shouldn’t sin because we are angry. These verses say, “‘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.” We need to be aware of our anger, just like all of our other emotions, and learn to control it.
The next time you are angry –
* Take time to think through the situation before you act or speak.
* Be careful not to mistreat an innocent person because you are angry with someone else.
* Clear the air quickly. Don’t let anger fester and become bitter or revengeful.
“Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” Proverbs 19:11 (ESV)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to always act out of love, not anger. In Jesus’ name. Amen.