“Be Ye Angry And Sin Not”

by Micky Galloway

In Ephesians 4:26-27, Paul wrote, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil.” Anger is not always a sin. God’s anger, even His fierce anger was cited often in the Old Testament. Jesus also became angry. “And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their heart …” (Mark 3:5). Being like Jesus means developing the right kind of anger and controlling it rather than trying to eliminate all anger.

In the context of Genesis 4, God asked Cain, “Why art thou wroth (angry NASV)? and Why is thy countenance fallen?” (Genesis 4:6-7). These questions were asked in an effort to prevent sin. If Cain could only realize the “why” of his anger, he would realize that it was caused by his substitution of his own sacrifice for what God desired. Who was really justified to be angry but God himself? Cain’s anger was caused by envy. Abel’s sacrifice was accepted; his was not. Sound familiar? Compare this to our justification for anger. He prospered and I did not; they listen to him and not me; he was invited and I wasn’t; they compliment him and ignore me. Often we mask our anger by saying, “my feelings are hurt.” Beware! The saying, “Anger with a selfish root always bears bitter fruit,” is true. You must correct the “why” of anger or “sin lies at the door” (Genesis 4:7 NKJV). This is the first time the word “sin” is used in the Bible. It literally means, “missing the mark.” It has become a real threat to man and is likened to a wild beast that is crouching at the door ready to strike. What a warning! Anger can never be right while the “why” is wrong.

“Be ye angry, and sin not …” is not a commandment to be angry, but rather, the sentence warns of anger’s inherent dangers. In your anger “sin not … neither give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27). What does it mean to “give place to the devil?” “Do not yield to the suggestions and temptations of Satan, who would take every opportunity to persuade you to cherish unkind and angry feelings, and to keep up a spirit of resentment among brethren. Many of our feelings, when we suppose we are merely defending our rights, and securing what is our own, are produced by the temptations of the devil. The heart is deceitful; and seldom more deceitful in any case than when a man is attempting to vindicate himself from injuries done to his person and reputation. The devil is always busy when we are angry, and in some way, if possible, will lead us into sin; and the best way to avoid his wiles is to curb the temper, and restrain even sudden anger. No man sins by restraining his anger: no man is certain that he will not who indulges it for a moment” (from Barnes Notes).

Yet, some situations actually require a righteous anger. Moses came down from Sinai and found Israel embroiled in idolatry and revelry (Exodus 32:1). Should Moses be indifferent? No! Burning anger was the proper response to their insult of Jehovah. God did not reprimand Moses. However, destroying the stone tablets was not the answer; but his anger was right. In another case, Potiphar came home to his wife crying about an assault on her by Joseph. She displayed evidence to support her allegations (Genesis 39:1). Should Potiphar be angry? Of course, he should! What husband wouldn’t be? Her accusation was a lie; her evidence was wrong. However, Potiphar’s anger was exactly right. Was Jesus’ anger right when He, “found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: and he made a scourge of cords, and cast all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changer’s money , and overthrew their tables” (John 2:14-15)? Obviously, yes!

The expression of anger must be right. This is an easy place to err. Anger’s emotion easily clouds judgment to the extent that we can easily ignore truth. Then it becomes easy to overstep the bounds of right. In Cain’s anger, he refused to listen even to the warnings of God. He murdered his brother; afterward he lied to God denying any knowledge of his brother’s whereabouts.

The duration of anger must be restrained. “Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” Proverbs 25:28 says, “He whose spirit is without restraint Is (like) a city that is broken down and without walls.” If you do get angry with anyone, see that the fire is extinguished soon. Do not go to sleep with any unkind or unbrotherly feelings. Anger allowed to fester may produce malice and revenge. Proverbs 26:20 says, “For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.” Brief is the only safe time frame for anger, even right anger. A long visit with anger will eat away like acid consumes its container. Learn from God who “does not retain His anger forever” (Micah 7:18). Let it go!

Anger must not void self control. The commandment is to “Be ye angry, and sin not …” In no circumstance can self control be sacrificed. You may be justifiably angry, but rage is never right. The danger in anger is so great that we must approach all anger with great caution. We must learn to be “slow to wrath (anger NASV)” (James 1:19). For, “He that is soon angry will deal foolishly … He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly” (Proverbs 14:17, 29). “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city” (Proverbs 16:32). “The discretion of a man maketh him slow to anger; And it is his glory to pass over a transgression” (Proverbs 19:11).

In anger, how do you behave? Do you throw a tantrum? Scream and holler? Stomp and kick? Throw things? Seethe and pout? Anger may occasionally be right, but such unrestrained behavior is sinful.

In anger, what do you say? Do you burst out in profanity? Do you spew out insulting, hateful, and mean invectives that are remembered and torment forever the victim of such abusive speech? Do you falsely accuse those who anger you? Do you call people contemptuous and ugly names? Do you spread rumors? Anger may be right in some instances, but all such malicious speech is not. It is sinful! Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft answer turneth away wrath; But a grievous word stirreth up anger.”

In anger, what do you do? Cain was angry with Abel, and killed him. In your anger, do you also do harm to people? Do you stir up strife? “An angry man stirs up strife, And a furious man abounds in transgression” (Proverbs 29:22). Proverbs 30:33 says, “For the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, And the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood; So the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.”

In anger, do you accuse God? Anger often blames God even when the incident was not God’s doing. Job knew better than that. “In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly” (Job 1:22). Even David was caught in that trap. “And David was displeased, because Jehovah had broken forth upon Uzzah” (II Samuel 6:8). Anger may be right, but judging God is surely none of our business! In fact, it is arrogantly wrong! “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil.” Much is to be learned from this little statement.