Question: Is It Wrong Or A Sin For Christians To Get Angry?
Donald Bohanon: The Bible tells us in Ephesians 4:26-27 to be angry but sin not and to not let the sun go down on our wrath/anger and to give no place to the devil. In other words, what God is emphasizing through his word is that we are going to be angry at times. Obviously striving to live righteously in an evil and perverse world can be challenging at times.
But God emphasizes when provoked to anger don’t let the sun go down on our wrath. In other words, before the day is over we must resolve the matter in our hearts, dismiss it, and not allow it to fester and grow. This is what’s being emphasized when it says don’t let the sun go down on your anger and give no place to the devil. Now there is a form of anger that’s called righteous indignation which is justified in God’s eyes when fighting for a righteous cause but that is still to be exercised in accordance with Ephesians 4:26-27.
In other words, don’t allow the devil to feed that anger and allow it to grow in such a way that it will result in you transgressing the Commandments or the word of God in some way. Christ informs us in Luke 17:1-2 that offenses by and from ungodly individuals in the world are going to come. But it also emphasizes “woe unto him or them through whom the offense cometh”.
It goes on to state it’s better for him or her, that a millstone be tied around their neck and they be hurled into the sea rather than offend a servant of God who is new in the faith and weak in spirit. Or any servant of God for that matter.
The verse also applies to little innocent children as well. Both points are being covered. Christ also informs us in Luke 18:1-8 that God is going to speedily avenge his servants, in this world, and in the judgment, in relation to those who trouble them.
So we are informed over and over that offenses will come and we will be angered. But we as Christians are commanded to remain steadfast in our walk all while extinguishing the fire of anger when it takes hold of us from time to time.
While at the same time taking comfort in knowing God will avenge his servants against all persecutors, in this life, and in the judgment. It’s best to try and resist becoming angry, but that is not going to always happen.
So it may also be wise to try to avoid the people and things that anger you. So to answer the question, no it’s not a sin to get angry. But it is a sin to allow the anger to fester and grow into rebellion against God, his word, and his commandments.
Luke 17:1-2
King James Version (KJV)
17 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
Luke 18:1-8
King James Version (KJV)
18 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Ephesians 4:26-27
King James Version (KJV)
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.
Galatians 5:10
King James Version (KJV)
10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.