Beech Tree News Network

Is there anything that makes you angry? Indeed, being angry happens to all of us. The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write to the Ephesians and tell them, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger” (Eph. 4:26). Please read that verse carefully. Being angry is not necessarily a sin. Yet, sin can occur when one is angry! It is often the case that one sins when angry. Whether or not one sins in anger depends upon what one does with his anger. Is your anger released in constructive ways? Is “the sun” allowed to “go down” on your anger and grow until it is released in destructive ways (Col. 3:8)? Think about it!

This article focuses on what makes us angry. Does the preaching and teaching of God’s word make us angry? Does sin anger us? What about hypocrisy among so-called “Christians”? How does this make us feel? Does doctrinal error anger us, or are we angry with those who expose error and expose the ones teaching the error (Eph. 5:11)? Let us consider these matters seriously.

To better understand what ought and ought not anger us, let us see what makes God and Christ angry (I Pet. 2:21-22; I Jn. 2:6).

Sometimes, God is angry. To listen to some folks, we might think God has never been angry with His creation. This is not true! God was made angry on several occasions. For example, He was angry when:

1.Moses tried to excuse himself from doing the will of God (Ex. 4:14).

2.Israel committed whoredoms and “joined ... to Baalpeor” (Num. 25:1-9; Deut. 7:4).

3.Achan kept the goods from Jericho that should have been destroyed when Israel conquered that city (Josh. 7).

4.Uzzah touched the Ark of the Covenant after the oxen stumbled (II Sam. 6:7).

These and other examples make it clear that God has been angry with creation. God was angry over man’s sin.

Similarly, we find occasions when Christ became angry. Christ was angry when He saw those in the synagogue with hardened hearts (Mk. 3:1-5). He was also furious when He saw the Temple being used by men for Scripturally unauthorized actions (Jn. 2:13-17; Matt. 21:10-13).

Isn’t it obvious that the anger of God and Christ is “kindled” against those who do not do His will? God is angered when He sees people who refuse to obey Him and practice unauthorized things! God is angered when people rebel against His word (I Sam. 15:23).

When we know people living in rebellion to God’s word, when we see people openly defying the will of God, these actions should anger us, too! Unfortunately, some become angry for the wrong reasons. Like the silversmiths of Acts 19, some become angry when the gospel is preached. Some, like Jonah or Naaman, become angry when they realize God’s will is not theirs (II Kings 5:11; Jonah 4:1, 4, 8-9). They become angry because they do not want to change!

What angers you? Does an article like this anger you? If what angers you is the opposite of what angers God, a change of attitude is needed! Let us strive to be like our Father in Heaven (Matt. 5:48; I Pet. 1:15-16). This includes ensuring that the things that anger God also anger us. What makes you angry?

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167