“Firehose” Truths for Sinful Anger

Everyone experiences some degree of anger in normal life, whether it’s the frustration of a spouse running late, the annoyance of a nit-picky boss, or outrage from an offensive comment. Anger can easily dominate the mind, permeating all thoughts. In moments like this, we need a firehose of truth to extinguish the fire of sinful anger that clouds our judgment, burning ourselves and others. Here are 4 admonitions from Scripture that throw water on the flame.

1. You belong to Christ. Let His love comfort you![1]

Anger often feels self-protective, like darts spewing out of the back of a vulnerable porcupine. But you, child of God, are not alone and defenseless in a chaotic, unforgiving universe. When anger says, “I am alone; I have to fight for myself,” speak truth back to your

heart, remembering that you belong to the King of the universe who loves you. You’re not left alone to defend yourself or to right every wrong in the world; your heavenly Father sees, cares, and will act. Is there a feeling of fear and vulnerability underlying your anger? Do you feel unloved, unseen, or unvalued? How does the reality of God’s love and care for you speak into your current anger? Let God’s love for you and His protection of His children sink in, so that you can respond to your angry feelings – not with fear, but with “power, love, and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7).

2. Tenderness & compassion are more powerful than you think. [2]

A sinfully angry reaction to being wronged or hurt is to do wrong and to hurt. The lie of the enemy is that bitterness, rage, revenge, rumination or spite will accomplish the justice you’re

wanting. The truth is that a merciful love for others is essential to right wrongs. If your heart is not tender and compassionate, you will not see clearly, act wisely, or speak productively. Are you tempted to return evil for evil? If so, first consider how God has treated you. Has God given you what you deserve? See what great things His compassion and mercy on sinners have accomplished. Second, entrust yourself to Him to do justice rather than taking condemnation into your own hands. Third, consider what it could look like to respond with tenderness and compassion.

3. Pursue unity. [3]

In anger, we find ourselves saying destructive things against people we love, resulting in nothing but relational ruins. But imagine how productive anger could be if it was pointed at a problem, rather than a person. If two people in conflict can find something they agree on, selflessly love the other before the self, and link arms in teamwork against the problem, the relationship will be built up and they will be well on their way to resolving the problem. Is your anger looking to tear people down or build them up?

If your anger is stemming from relational conflict, consider how you can seek the other person’s interests. Re-orient the conflict from “winning” to connecting and growing together.

Consider involving a wise person to help you navigate forgiveness, reconciliation, mediation, or identifying when brotherly love involves separating yourself from the other person.

4. Beware of your pride. [4]

Sinful anger is blinded with pride. In moments of anger, we see others’ sin as being far worse than our own, if we see our own sin at all. All we can see is, “I’m right and you’re wrong.” But what if we stop and look humbly at our own hearts before God?

When you’re angry, take a moment to specifically name your own sin. Confess these to God and whoever you have sinned against. Recall the lovely forgiveness that Jesus has embraced you with. Pray for God’s Spirit to lead your heart into deeper humility. Practice humility by listening patiently, putting others before yourself, honoring others with your words, expressing thankfulness, having a teachable spirit, being repentant, and by having a forgiving attitude. To take in all the truth contained in these verses is like drinking out of a firehose, and we’ve barely scratched the surface of the abundant words of life God has for us in our anger. Internalizing these truths and putting them into practice takes time and effort. One way to do this is to spend time meditating on the recommended verses in each section. Spend time reflecting on your own heart; do any of these truths speak to you? Which of them feel hard to believe, feel, or practice? Consider writing out your answers and utilizing the accompanying worksheet in moments when anger flares up. Come back to these truths in moments when your anger heats up. Let the truth of God’s words comfort you, illuminate you and guide you!

[1] To go deeper, spend some time in Psalm 3, 23, 37, 62, 91, 93, 121 and 139. Consider reading Exodus 1-3, taking note of the wrongdoing done against the Israelites and how God sees and acts on their behalf.

[2] To go deeper, see Romans 2:4, Romans 12:9-21, Galatians 5:16-26, James 3:13-18, and 1 Peter 2:18-25.

[3] To go deeper, see Ephesians 4:25-32, Psalm 133, Philippians 2:1-11, and 1 Peter 3:8.

[4]To go deeper, see Matthew 7:1-5, Luke 6:27-42, John 8:1-18, and Philippians 2:1-11.