Be Angry and Sin Not

For our May 12, 2024 Sunday School class, we were asked "How do you be angry and sin not?" Meaning how can you get made and be angry, but not be a sinner in doing so? So we read over Ephesians 4:17-32, which says "With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you."

We have got to train ourselves to think the way God wants us to think. Sometimes when we get angry, it's best to just keep our mouths shut. But some people would even lie when the truth would sound better. For example, they might say they're too sick to go out and do something when really they feel fine, they just don't want to. I don't know about you, but I would rather hear that someone just don't feel like doing it, rather than worrying about them being sick and wishing there was something I could do to help.

But how do keep yourself from getting angry? Maybe don't let yourself get tired. Be well fed. Sometimes you're still gong to get angry, so how do you be angry without sinning? Sometimes you gotta take a step back and refocus. Wait it out. Walk away. Ask for forgiveness. Turn something bad into love. Sometimes people have to be the bigger person and give it to God. Pray about it. Tolerate it. Have some forbearance.

When you have resentments – think of the cause, effect, and your part in it. Sometimes you're a part of the fault even though you may not have realized it. And people don't like to hear this, but sometimes the road to hell is paved with good intentions. You may have meant to help someone or do something good for somebody, but then something bad comes out of it unexpectedly. You might have thought that baking a sweet for your neighbor was a good idea, but then they chip a tooth or develop a cavity from it. It was unintentional, but that would be an example of a situation where you were part of the fault even though you didn't realize it.

When someone says something and you say – that's stupid... think about what would make them say that, or think about what could be the cause of it. There may have been something going on with them that made them say that stupid thing. Or maybe the problem is with you? Why is it so stupid to you? Are you lacking tolerance? Does what they say touch a nerve with you, and maybe it's something you need to work out with yourself?

Whatever the case, if you find yourself getting angry about something, try to remember that just because you're angry, that doesn't give you an excuse to sin. Uncontrolled anger leads to doing something wrong. Do you best to take a moment, pray about it, and give it to God. Be angry and sin not.