What to Do With Anger
The sermon teaches that righteous anger is a natural response to sin and separation from God, but it must be controlled and managed to avoid sinning.
Theodore Epp discusses the appropriate response to anger, emphasizing that while it is right to be angry at sin and injustice, believers must guard against allowing personal resentment to lead to sin. He highlights the importance of resolving anger before the day ends, as Paul instructs in Ephesians 4:26, and warns that human anger does not produce God's righteousness. Epp illustrates Jesus' righteous anger towards hypocrisy and blasphemy, reminding us that while we can be righteously indignant, we must be careful not to sin in our reactions. Ultimately, he encourages believers to practice being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, aligning their responses with God's will.
Text
Ephesians 4:17-27
It is apparent that we should be angry with sin and come to hate that which would separate us from God or cause loss of fellowship. This means there will be times when we will hate what others do because it goes contrary to the Word of God. Such anger may be referred to as "righteous indignation." However, when self becomes projected into the matter, it is possible for a believer to sin, at least in his attitude toward others. In Ephesians 4:26 Paul was warning against permitting smoldering fires of resentment to remain in anyone's heart: "Let not the sun go down upon your wrath." We should make it our practice never to retire without first being sure that we have confessed known sin of actions and attitudes, "for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God" (James 1:20).
Jesus was angry with those who withstood God. He called the Pharisees and Sadducees a "generation of vipers" (Matt. 3:7). The scribes and Pharisees He called "hypocrites" (23:14). On another occasion He made a whip of small ropes and drove the money changers from the temple (John 2:13-16).
Although the Lord Jesus Christ was able to be angry without sinning, it is difficult for us. That is why Paul gave the command as he did in Ephesians 4:26. Our anger should be stirred when God's name is taken in vain or when He is blasphemed, but we must be careful that we do not sin in the way we react to these incidents. If we speak unkind words or are embittered toward others, we have sinned and it needs to be confessed to the Lord.
"But let every one be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God" (James 1:19,20, NASB).
Sermon Outline
- The Nature of Righteous Anger
- The Dangers of Unchecked Anger
- The Example of Jesus Christ
- The Command to Control Anger
- Let not the sun go down on wrath
- The need for confession of sin in reaction to provocation
Key Quotes
“Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” — Theodore Epp
“The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God” — Theodore Epp
“But let every one be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;” — Theodore Epp
Application Points
- Make it a practice to confess known sin and attitudes before retiring for the night.
- Be careful in your reaction to provocation, and avoid speaking unkind words or being embittered towards others.
- Strive to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger in your interactions with others.