Living a Principled Life in an Unprincipled World, Part 2

Can anger ever be a right and godly response? The Bible often speaks of God’s anger at sin and injustice, and it is appropriate for a Christian to have the same reaction and passions as his Lord. The problem is not in the emotion, but in how we twist it for sinful and selfish ends. Righteous anger is concerned for God’s name, justice, and the welfare of others. It seeks to uphold and protect the work of God, while sinful anger is self-seeking, manipulative, and concerned over personal hurts and discontent. Its motives are selfish, because it is willing to harm or destroy to achieve its own desires. How can you guard yourself from ungodly anger? Control your passions. Don’t look for opportunities to be angry, or hold on to it for long. Be slow to anger, and quick to remember that we are called to love and serve one another, putting the interests of others above our own.