Be Ye Angry and Sin Not

Be Ye Angry and Sin Not

It was a day where almost nothing went right. Bible class was getting closer and there were papers which needed to be printed. The problem lies in the fact that the printer was not very cooperative. It earned the nickname “Bob Marley” because whenever you tried to print a large number of papers “it be jammin’.” True to its nature the printer jammed and I had to fix it. While in the process of fixing it my hand touched a metallic piece inside the printer which was extremely hot and I got burned. An hour later I received a phone call from a telephone company which will go unnamed. Rather, I received a call from a collection agency on behalf of said company for a bill I never owed. The person on the other end was as understanding as you’d expect them to be. They wanted money and no explanation would solve the issue. These two factors caused something major to happen. I got angry. Very angry. It happens to all of us at one time or another. No matter how hard we fight it something will trigger our anger. The question we want to ask is, “Are we sinning every time we grow angry?” It is important that we answer such questions.

Is There an Anger Contradiction?

When one reads Ephesians 4:26-27 and 31-32, it seems there may be a slight contradiction. One teaches that one may grow angry as long as he does not commit sin the process or allow the sun to set on it. The other tells us to completely get rid of anger. There are a few things the Bible student should understand on the subject.

Ephesians 4:26-27 is nor a prohibition or a license to get angry. There are times in which we read of the Christ getting angry. One instance is in Mark 3. The chapter begins with Christ entering the synagogue and seeing a man with a withered hand. There were many who watched him closely hoping that He would heal the man so they might accuse Him (v. 3). He asked them if it was lawful to do good or evil on the Sabbath (v. 4). In verse 5, we notice that “…He had looked round about on them in anger…”.

We must answer a statement many will make as they look to verses such as these. “Well, Christ was able to get angry and so can I.” Now, it is true that Christ grew angry with these who tried to condemn Him for doing good but is our anger the same as His? Those who like to point to verses like this usually grow angry for what we would call “trifles.” A trifle is something of little importance. Why did Christ grow angry? Did Christ grow angry because traffic was not moving as He would like it? Was He stuck in line at the DMV and no one was moving as He would like them? Why did Christ grow angry? He was angry at this group “…being grieved for the hardness of their hearts…” (Mark 3:5).

There is such a thing as “righteous indignation” (Psalm 7:11; Ezekiel 7:3). This is the type of anger which God has. Why was God angry with these people? He was angry because of the rampant idolatry, hatred/injustice toward the weak, sacrificing of infants/children, pacts made with other nations, and all around forgetting God. His anger was fueled towards the sinfulness and hardness of heart which the people exhibited. Can a Christian show righteous indignation? Yes. The world has many problems at the moment. When one looks at homosexuality, abortion, and the general ungodliness of the world around us, it should make us very upset. At the same time, a Christian can go way too far with his actions. If one is against abortion, does he allow the anger to cause him to murder a doctor who performs them? No.

There lies the answer to the possible contradiction we have. There does not seem to be a problem with anger in and out of itself. It is what we do with it when we have it. In fact, the word “anger” in verse 26 means “to be provoked to anger.” That tells me there will be a time when I grow angry. I need to react appropriately. Paul calls on Christians to “let not the sun go down on your wrath.” Literally, do not harbor these feelings of anger. If you hold on to feelings of anger against an individual it is only going to get worse. It is somewhat like a scab. What do you do when you have a wound which scabs over? You do not continually pick at the scab and peel it. It will not get better that way. It will actually likely get worse, get infected, and possible kill you.

He also says, “neither give place to the devil.” What happens if we hold on to that anger and act upon it? We give place to the devil. There is a common saying we have concerning our thoughts and actions. “Well, you thought it so you might as well say it.” Wrong. “You thought it so you might as well do it.” Wrong. You might have thought it but it is best to keep those thoughts between you and God. If you act on it you end up hurting others and yourself. What should we go when we get angry? Walk away.

That brings us to verses 31-32. The word for “anger actually means something completely different. In verse 26 it just meant “to be provoked to anger.” What is listen in verse 31 is what righteous indignation can become if it goes unchecked. Paul lists destructive forms of anger.

·         Bitterness refers to an “acrid taste in the mouth” and describes one who is constantly disagreeable. Ever met someone who was “weaned on a pickle”?

·         Wrath is an “outburst of fury.” This is actually seen more than the Greek term for anger.

·         Anger is “a disposition which holds on to feelings of anger, often seeing revenge.” Not seen as often as our definition of anger.

·         Clamour means “imitating the cry of a raven.” This is often seen in shouting contests between two people.

·         Evil speaking is when someone has a harsh saying against another individual. When the Greek word is used of one speaking against God it is translated as “blasphemy.”

·         Malice is the disposition from whence all these flow. This is wickedness/evil. It we allow ourselves to act on anger with any of the actions, it is evil.

Paul commands the Ephesians, “Let [These things – aac] be put away from you.” Literally, he’s telling these Christians to “throw this destructive anger away.” Instead, be kind one to another. Be compassionate or sympathetic towards your needs. As Christ showed His love for you in forgiving you when you came to obedience, be willing to forgive each other instead of harboring an angry attitude. Christians can have righteous indignation but are to have no part of this destructive anger. There are certain things which anger will hurt.

Anger Hurts Influence

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men” (Matt. 5:13). Salt has had many uses throughout the ages. It is a season, preservative, and used in the purification process. We want to focus on the fact that it is a purifier. It is used in salt pool purifiers because it is eco friendly and a cheaper alternative to the chemicals used in the past. The Jews were to be purifying force to the Gentiles.

Christians are to be salt today. One factor to our ability to be a purifier is our influence. Anger can help ruin that influence. For instance, I once heard of an elder who was in the Lowe’s parking lot with molding. The molding was too big for his vehicle. He tried to maneuver it every which way he could and it would not fit. Finally, in a fit of anger he breaks the molding in half and throws it in his vehicle. What effect would that have if someone saw him in this act? James wrote that we should be “slow to wrath” because the “wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20). Want your influence destroyed in a matter of seconds? Show your anger in a public setting.

Anger Hurts Innocent People

There is a Biblical example of this happening in Genesis 34. Dinah is defiled by Shechem. Before we go any further, let us say that this is an inexcusable action. It does not matter if he intended on marrying her. It was something he should not have done. We notice that the sons of Israel were distressed and filled with wrath (v. 7). Hamor and Shechem were willing to do anything for Shechem to have Dinah as his wife (v. 8-12). Their reasoning was to integrate the people together (v. 9). Notice the response of her brothers (v. 13).  They spoke deceitfully (lied) to Shechem and his father. They were plotting revenge on the two. The brothers told the two the only reason they would allow Dinah to marry Shechem. The entire city must be willing to be circumcised before they were willing to integrate the people together. Hamor and Shechem made sure this would occur (Gen. 34:24). Three days after the circumcision when the men were “incapacitated” Levi and Simeon went into the village and killed them. They also killed Hamor and Shechem. Why did they do this? “The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister” (Gen. 34:27). What Shechem did was terrible. Hamor trying to excuse his son’s actions was just as bad. Did an entire village deserve death?

Anger can and will hurt innocent people. While at preaching school, we were warned against preaching a sermon while angry. Chances are that in our anger we would saying something that would make the desired point but would do so in a hurtful manner. Anger affects those who are innocent.

Anger Hurts Self

In Numbers 20, we read of Moses at the Rock of Horeb. Verses 1-6 speak of the people complaining again. God commands Moses to speak to the rock (v. 7-8). What does Moses do? “And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him. And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?” (Num. 20:9-10). Well, he spoke to the rock but committed two sins in the process. He gave himself and Aaron credit for bringing the water which God provided (v. 12). He also broke the type of Christ (1 Cor. 10:4).

Look back at verse 12 and notice the punishment given to Moses. “…therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.” Moses would not be allowed to enter into the land of promise. His anger kept him from the promise given by God.

Anger and wrath can make or break our eternity. Galatians 5:19-21 mentions the works of the flesh. One of them is wrath. “…of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:21b). It can keep us from heaven if we allow it.

There an old Hindu saying which is appropriate. “Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.”

Big Brother is Watching You

The book 1984 by George Orwell gave a very bleak look at a possible future. It pictures a world which is stuck in a perpetual war. In what used to be the United Kingdom the government is involved in an omnipresent surveillance program. The government drives the point home with a slogan which may seem familiar. Underneath the picture of a mustachioed man was the phrase “Big Brother is watching you.” It was a reminder that no action, word, or thought went unacknowledged.

While we are not being watched by a megalomaniacal government bent on controlling its followers, we are being watched by a being greater than we. “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Prov. 15:3). He does not do so to find us in a fault. He does not do so in the hopes of trying to hurt us. He does so because one day He will judge all mankind (Ecc. 12:14). He will judge us according to every action we have committed, even those things which were thought to have been done in secret. If one were to put that in perspective, would that change his actions? It certainly should. Those actions once thought to be done in privacy were committed before the All-Seeing God. Maybe it would be best for all to keep that in mind.

Remember, “The Father is watching you.”

Judas Iscariot (Part 4)

There Is A Sad End Where Forgiveness is Not Found

Judas has a change of heart after the betrayal (Matt. 27:1-4). It seems that Judas may not have been aware of the true intents of the chief priests. It is possible that he was simply a pawn in a game played by the priests. Regardless, Judas felt great regret for the actions which he committed. He felt such regret that he takes the money which was given to him and tries to give it back. “I have sinned because I have betrayed innocent blood.” Judas, having spent all this time with the Christ knew that Jesus was innocent of the punishment He was about to receive. The bitter indifference on the part of these chief priests is seen. They have already accomplished their goals and Judas is no longer of any use to them. “It is not our problem. It is yours.” They placed full responsibility on Judas.

Judas has helped give Christ the death sentence. Could a man like that be forgiven? It is easy for us to give a quick and resounding, “No.” Remember, he was not the only one who committed an error that day. There were others who were guilty of putting Jesus to death (Acts 2:36). Peter did not mince words on the day of Pentecost by telling these people, “You have murdered the Christ.” They were still offered an opportunity to be forgiven (Acts 2:38). One chapter later one read, “And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers” (Acts 3:17). What did they do through ignorance? They killed the Christ. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). They were still able to be forgiven.

What Judas outside the realm of forgiveness? NO! God would have been able to forgive Judas for the actions which he committed. God would have accepted him back if only Judas would have made things right. …if only… How wonderful would it be for us to read of Judas coming to God in humility, standing before the resurrected Christ, and being relieved that the blood of Christ had washed away those sins?

“And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself…and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.” (Matthew 27:5; Acts 1:18). He committed suicide. Luke tells us that Judas went to “his own place” after his death (Acts 1:25). That is a very tactful way of saying that Judas went to destruction. Godly sorrow should have led him to repentance but he did not seek such (2 Cor. 7:10).

Judas Iscariot (Part 3)

We Will Be Remembered By Our Actions

Notice how Judas is mentioned within the New Testament writings (Matt. 10:4; Mark 3:19; Luke 6:16; John 12:4-5). If you were to ask anyone what Judas Iscariot is known for the likely response would be, “He was the one who betrayed Jesus!” Take a look at any Biblical man or woman. They are remembered for the actions and words spoken. Adam and Eve are remembered because they were the first man and woman and their actions in the garden. Cain will forever be remembered as the first murderer. David, while being remembered as a man after God’s own heart, will also be remembered for his adultery with Bathsheeba. Noah will always be remembered for building the ark but also for his drunkenness after the flood. Judas will always be remembered as a traitor.

That is because he was a traitor. It is interesting that he went to the chief priests after Judas was rebuked by Christ. “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him” (Matthew 26:14-16). Interestingly enough, thirty pieces of silver was the price of a common slave (Exo. 21:32; Zech. 11:12-13). It would be worth somewhere around fifteen U.S. dollars. “Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him” (Matt. 26:46-50). The betrayal is now complete.

Jim Henson once said, “[Children] won’t remember what we said. They will remember who we were.” That statement is true with more than just children. How do you want to be remembered when this life is over?

Judas Iscariot (Part 2)

Our Actions Give Away Our Character

“Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein” (John 12:1-6; cf. Matt. 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9). This is not to be confused with Luke 7:36ff. The account of Luke’s is that of a woman of ill report while these other three are of a woman of high spiritual qualities. While these are similar they are quite different.

Six days before the Passover Jesus and His disciples are sitting at the house of Simon the Leper (Matt. 26:6; Mark 13:3). Martha comes to Jesus with this perfumed oil and anoints His feet with it, wiping His feet with her hair. Ither accounts point to the disciples murmuring against this woman’s gift (Matt. 26:8-9; Mark 14:4-5). John’s account gives us the instigator who planted this thought in the other apostle’s minds (John 12:4-5).

At first glance it may seem that that he is making a somewhat honorable statement. This could have been sold for 300 pence and given to those who are in need. Granted, Jesus mentioned that her doing this was good because it was done in preparation for His death. Still, it seems that Judas meant well in his statement and was thinking of those who were poor.

Inspiration tells of the true reason that he brought this us. “This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.” (John 12:6). Judas was not concerned with the poor. As the treasurer, he was the one who carried the money and divvied it out as was needed. John states that Judas also stole from the treasury. He was a “thief.” Why did he feel so strongly about what had been done? He wanted to have his hands on the money which it was all worth.  Keep in mind this was not known by the apostles at this moment but afterwards. Judas showed his true character in his complaint towards this woman’s actions.

Sometimes our statements can show our true selves. This author once heard of a preacher who constantly harped on certain subjects. He constantly preached on the subject of adultery, fornication, and things of that nature. It was later found out that he had an affair with another woman. Any Christian can be guilty of this. Be warned that if an individual is not living a godly life it will eventually be found out. It may not occur within a day, two days, or even years from that time. It will eventually be found out (Numbers 32:23; Josh. 7).