Be Angry and Sin Not

“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:26-27 AV)

Anger is a terrible sin that is tantamount to murder (Matt 5.21-22). Surely there will be times of indignation for harm done to our Lord’s name, for sins we have committed, and for sins committed against us. These might be called righteous indignations. However, anger beyond these reasons or beyond due measure is exceedingly sinful.

Not only is it sinful, but it opens the door for the devil to gain a place in your life. Once the door is cracked open to the one who has come knocking, the invader simply jams his foot in the crack. It becomes much more difficult to stave off the attacker in this situation than if the door was never opened.

Anger breeds anger. “Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go, Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul” (Proverbs 22:24-25 NKJV). If you are given to this sin, know that it is influencing your entire family. However, there is hope because, “a wrathful man stirreth up strife: but [he that is] slow to anger appeaseth strife” (Proverbs 15:18 AV).

The time to change is now. Look to your devotional life for answers. “. . . [T] he works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told [you] in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:19-23 NKJV)

An angry person is a fleshy person. Do not be self-deceived. Be angry at your sin and repent. Live your life with Christ as your model. He will make a way of escape for you (1Cor. 10.13) for He is a faithful and caring Savior. Amen?