CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 926

“Righteous Anger”

…and he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart… (Mark 3:5)

We seem to be living in a world environment that is on a rolling boil hair trigger waiting to erupt in anger and rage. What are some of the things people do that get ‘under your skin’? What is it that ‘works your last nerve’ and gives rise to anger? How can you tell if your anger is justified or not?

Anger is a powerful emotion that can be frighteningly dangerous when it is given full vent. Anger in itself is not a sin. Jesus was angry as is recorded in our reference Scripture and we know from the truth of God’s Word that Jesus never sinned.

…be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil…(Ephesians 4:26-27)

Anger, however, can lead us to sin. The sin results from our motive for our anger as well as what we choose to do with that anger. Sin stems from where we let our anger lead us. Jesus experienced anger but for the right motives. He was angry and did not let it lead Him to unrighteous action.

Anger can lead to good. It can lead to thanksgiving. The Pilgrims who first settled in America at Plymouth Colony were angry with the Church of England’s moral corruption and with religious persecution. The Pilgrims’ anger led them to leave their home country and lay the foundation for the world’s greatest free nation.

Jesus’ anger with the Pharisees’ hard hearts led to the healing of a man’s withered hand. In contrast, the Prodigal Son’s brother’s anger stemmed from his jealousy and led to hurt feelings and alienation from his father and brother. Moses’ anger with the Israelites led him to disobey God and to angrily strike the rock to give them water. In both cases the motives for anger were wrong and they both let their anger lead them to unrighteous action.

God has ‘wired’ each of us with passions. There are things that passionately motivate us to action. Sometimes that passion is joyous and sometimes it feels like anger. What are some unselfish things that provoke your passion and zeal? What issues exist that motivate you to positive action? For some their passionate anger rises when confronted with child abuse, abortion, or desecration of the American Flag. What motivates you to make a positive difference, even for just one person?

May the Holy Spirit help you to discern selfish anger from righteous anger. May He give you the grace to quench selfish motives that give rise to unrighteous anger.

May the Holy Spirit empower you to positive action – to make a difference in this world in the Name of Jesus Christ. May your righteous anger lead to thanksgiving and glory being given to God.