Righteous Anger

One of the most powerful passages in the Bible that speaks about dealing with anger in a healthy way is found in the book of James. In James 1:19-20 (NLT), it says, "Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.”

This passage reminds us that our anger must be tempered by our desire to live righteously and in accordance with God's will. When we react in anger, we risk allowing our emotions to cloud our judgment and lead us away from the path that God has set before us.

In Ephesians 4:26-27 (NLT) we read, "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.”

This passage reminds us that allowing our anger to control us can lead us down a dangerous path, one that is far from the path that God has set before us. Instead, we must be intentional in directing our anger towards the offense, seeking to address the issue rather than attacking the person who committed the offense.

Ultimately, as Christians, we are called to express righteous anger, just as God does towards sin. However, our anger must be redemptive in nature, seeking to bring healing and restoration to the situation rather than simply lashing out in frustration.

As we seek to follow the example set by Jesus, we can work towards building a world that is more just, more loving, and more compassionate; a world where our anger is tempered by our desire to live in accordance with His will.