It’s been all over the news: anger is on the rise, such as this article in the NYT, The Year We lost It.
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Anger seems to poke its head in all kinds of conversations that we sometimes wish it didn’t. Like an unwanted relative at a family gathering, anger boasts a right to express itself. Like the toxic edge of trying to assert one’s identity to everyone else. There’s a sense of righteousness – but, sometimes, pure poison. Strangely, we almost always feel justified when we express it, and most often disapprove when others do it to us. What’s going on with our anger?
One expert consulted in the NYT article say it’s an understandable response to growing social-induced trauma, so even small things can send you to “overwhelm” that previously you handled well. Another pointed out that since most of us just don’t like change, and we are too fast losing the world which once knew, it’s natural to have a pervasive sense of anger.
“We cannot be our old selves,” explained therapist Nedra Glover Tawwab. “So many of us are trying to operate in the way that we used to, and we just can’t do that anymore.” The Year We lost It. “We’re all being algorithmically encouraged to stay outraged all the time.”
She suggests we learn to manage our anger, which is the conventional wisdom we have heard about for decades. I see many Christians are angry too, attempting to manage their anger. Or not. Is that how Christian morality works – by managing our behaviour? How Biblical is anger, anyway?
It doesn’t help that the scriptures seem to be ambivalent on the issue. We are certainly aware that in the Old Testament God was deeply angered by the sins of his people, and after due warning, let the punishment rip. Famously, Jesus turned over the money-changer tables in the Temples and spoke harsh words when confronting the Pharisees in their hypocrisy. After that, New Testament scriptures advocating anger are scarce.
An oft-quoted scripture is “be angry but do not sin.” That choice adage comes from Ephesians 4:26, which likely a reference to Psalms 4:4 where it says the same thing. Sounds like it’s OK to be angry, so long as you’re not sinning. But even in Psalm 4, it later suggests that anger may tempt you to sin as you contemplate your injustice.
James doesn’t mince words (which isn’t surprising to those who know his style): “for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:20, ESV). Paul also makes it plain: “But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” (Colossians 3:8) Jesus also warned that being angry with brothers or sisters will bring judgment upon yourselves (Matthew 5:12).
Is there a biblical mixed message about anger? Since Jesus was always concerned about the motivations of the heart, perhaps that’s a good lens through which to examine the question. The key issue, Jesus is telling us, is to discern the offense that makes you angry. If the answer is “I am threatened, I’m shamed, I’m disgusted, or I’m disempowered” then we are likely skating on thin ice, and are about break through the fragile layer of our management strategies. (Warning: discernment of the inner life is not an easy task for the novice; it takes time).
It’s not about punishment for the feeling of disgust; it’s about protection and rehabilitation of both perpetrator and victim. That is love.
It’s clear to me that neither God nor Jesus was motivated this way when they got angry. Rather, they were anger about the evil consequences regarding what was being said or done that was harming people. It’s not about punishment for the feeling of disgust; it’s about protection and rehabilitation of both perpetrator and victim. That is love.
So, the litmus test to know whether anger is sinful or godly is to discern the motivation of the heart that is feeling the anger. Is it about love for others, and not serving selfish purposes? Then its godly. If not, switch to other choice responses such as blessing, mercy, forgiveness – which are far more often promoted in the scriptures. Leave vengeance and control of the universe to God.
Here is another test: observe the fruit. Are you bringing conviction, repentance, insight or reconciliation to those with whom you are angry? Then you’re likely flowing with the Spirit, bearing the fruit that others can recognize is of God. But don’t be so quick to judge and blame others if your anger is not working. The measure you use will be used to measure your anger.