"God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day" (Psalm 7:11, ESV).
"The LORD is slow to anger..." (Num. 14:18, ESV).
"...Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger" (James 1:19, ESV).
"But now you must put them all away: anger, malice, wrath, slander..." (Col. 3:8, ESV).
"Now the works of the flesh are evident: ...fits of anger..." (Gal. 5:19-20, ESV). ITALICS AND BOLDFACE MINE!
Anger per se is not sinning, but that is called righteous indignation; Jesus even expressed anger at the money changers in the temple. God was very angry about Adam's disobedience, and when he expected to be cursed like the serpent was, it was deflected to the ground--what a relief! God is not angry at us when we sin but angry about us--he never gets angry at people but about ideas, events, and fruits of the flesh. If God ever got angry at anyone that person would perish (cf. Psalm 2:12).
The Word says, "A fool gives full vent to his anger." Having temper tantrums is childish and shows lack of self-control which is a fruit of the Spirit. The unbeliever cannot control himself as well as the believer. When a person gets angry he usually says something that will be regretted. You cannot take back a word said in haste, it has done its damage. We are to use words to heal and not to hurt. We are to be sensitive to our brother's feelings and use tact and good judgment in restraining our anger.
We can get angry at the Obamacare law, but not at President Obama. King David would not speak a harsh word of criticism against the Lord's anointed (King Saul). Paul was caught pronouncing judgments and he said that the Law says "not to speak evil of a ruler of your people." You can be angry and not sin, as Scripture says, and God can reign it in and keep you under control, so as not make a fool of yourself. "Be angry, but do not sin," says the Word. Jesus had a lot to say about anger: He equated it with murder itself--we murder one another in spirit when we lose control of our temper and don't have patience in dealing with one another (cf. Matt. 5:22f). Some people clearly have anger issues and must learn that the solution is repentance and living the Spirit-filled life, and not medication or anger management classes. Soli Deo Gloria!
"The LORD is slow to anger..." (Num. 14:18, ESV).
"...Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger" (James 1:19, ESV).
"But now you must put them all away: anger, malice, wrath, slander..." (Col. 3:8, ESV).
"Now the works of the flesh are evident: ...fits of anger..." (Gal. 5:19-20, ESV). ITALICS AND BOLDFACE MINE!
Anger per se is not sinning, but that is called righteous indignation; Jesus even expressed anger at the money changers in the temple. God was very angry about Adam's disobedience, and when he expected to be cursed like the serpent was, it was deflected to the ground--what a relief! God is not angry at us when we sin but angry about us--he never gets angry at people but about ideas, events, and fruits of the flesh. If God ever got angry at anyone that person would perish (cf. Psalm 2:12).
The Word says, "A fool gives full vent to his anger." Having temper tantrums is childish and shows lack of self-control which is a fruit of the Spirit. The unbeliever cannot control himself as well as the believer. When a person gets angry he usually says something that will be regretted. You cannot take back a word said in haste, it has done its damage. We are to use words to heal and not to hurt. We are to be sensitive to our brother's feelings and use tact and good judgment in restraining our anger.
We can get angry at the Obamacare law, but not at President Obama. King David would not speak a harsh word of criticism against the Lord's anointed (King Saul). Paul was caught pronouncing judgments and he said that the Law says "not to speak evil of a ruler of your people." You can be angry and not sin, as Scripture says, and God can reign it in and keep you under control, so as not make a fool of yourself. "Be angry, but do not sin," says the Word. Jesus had a lot to say about anger: He equated it with murder itself--we murder one another in spirit when we lose control of our temper and don't have patience in dealing with one another (cf. Matt. 5:22f). Some people clearly have anger issues and must learn that the solution is repentance and living the Spirit-filled life, and not medication or anger management classes. Soli Deo Gloria!