“Be angry [at sin—at immorality, at injustice, at ungodly behavior], yet do not sin; do not let your anger [cause you shame, nor allow it to] last until the sun goes down.”
- Ephesians 4:26 AMP
“I know you’re angry but it’s not ok to…”
To all the moms out there, I’m sure you’ve found yourself saying this phrase to your kids once or twice (or something similar) just as I have.
I’ve read Ephesians 4:26 in the Bible and have heard it many times. However, I never really took the time to ponder what it meant.
All my life I viewed anger as a negative emotion. I associated anger with sin. Anger = sin.
But that’s not what the Word of God says. It says we can be angry at sin but shouldn’t sin in our anger.
This verse is God’s way of telling us, “It’s ok that you’re angry but it’s not ok to…”
The reality is that most (if not, all) of us have sinned in our anger at some point. Just think back to when you were furious about something and remember feeling awful about how you responded.
Before motherhood, I thought I was patient and had little to no anger. Then God used my children to shine the light on that illusion.
Sometimes God uses certain people or situations to show us the sin within ourselves. We all sin! Does that mean it’s ok? No. It just means that we ALL have work to do.
Anger is an emotion like any other and if we don’t exercise self-control, it is easy to lose control. It’s like a fire. If it isn’t controlled, it can run loose and cause chaos and devastation.
“Like a city that is broken down and without walls [leaving it unprotected] Is a man who has no self-control over his spirit [and sets himself up for trouble].”
– Proverbs 25:28 AMP
The Bible warns us that if we don’t have control over our spirit, we are setting ourselves up for trouble.
I know this verse and feel convicted every time I read it.
Do I walk around as some angry person who hates the world and those in it?
No. But, admittedly, I tend to get easily angered when someone does wrong, or things go wrong. I have moments when I yell. Moments when I speak negatively. Moments when I judge others. Moments when I am prideful. All out of anger.
Does any of this sound familiar? Have you had any of these moments or am I the only one?
So, what should you do when angry and make the wrong choice? Should you give up? Should you condemn yourself? No. And though there are consequences to our angry outbursts, we are meant to learn from them.
“A man of great anger will bear the penalty [for his quick temper and lack of self-control]; For if you rescue him [and do not let him learn from the consequences of his action], you will only have to rescue him over and over again.”
– Proverbs 19:19 AMP
Being angry doesn’t make you a bad person or a backslider.
When you fall short, you remember that YOU ARE HUMAN. Apologize. Right the wrong. Try again next time.
“He who is slow to anger is better and more honorable than the mighty [soldier], And he who rules and controls his own spirit, than he who captures a city.”
– Proverbs 16:32 AMP
We are called to be examples of Christ. We should love in everything we do (even when angry).
We can’t do this alone. We need God to help us.
Let’s join together and make it a priority to tame the fire of anger within us and focus our minds on God and all the good that He is! Doing this leads to a clear head and wiser choices.
“The end and culmination of all things is near. Therefore, be sound-minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer [staying balanced and focused on the things of God so that your communication will be clear, reasonable, specific and pleasing to Him.]”
– 1 Peter 4:7 AMP
Graceful Warriors 
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