Control anger without sin

To the Editor:

Anger by definition is wrath, the filling and expression of strong displeasure and hostility. Anger itself is not sinful but needs to be carefully watched and soon suppressed.

I find in God’s word that He expresses anger and wrath. It is holy and just indignation against sin (Rom. 1:18). For God cannot sin, for He is holy and perfect in all that He does (Duet. 32:4; Job 34:10; Ps. 5:4, 145:17).

In His word I find He is angry with the wicked everyday (Ps. 5:5, 7:11). He is also angry when His chosen people are disobedient to Him (Isa. 5:24; Ps. 106:40-41). His anger is not instantaneous but slow and long suffering, allowing both the righteous and the wicked to live instead of being quickly judged and punished (9:22-23).

Anger is listed as an action we need to stay away from when we deal with others. For it is most often used to hurt and not be beneficial to them (Eph.4:31; Col. 3:8).

If we have just cause to be angry, we need to do so without sin. To be angry and not sin is to be angry at anything but sin, our sins or the sins of others. We need to control our anger and let it not be excessive. It needs to be reconciled quickly (Eph. 4:26). When we feel anger towards others, we need to be “slow to speak, slow to wrath, for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God” (Ja. 1:19-20). We also need to commune with our heart and calm ourselves, so we can avoid injurious encounters with others.

Jim Batt

Mexico, Pa.