Anger and the Church

Let’s be clear: Anger in and of itself is not sin. Let’s consider a critical point – Jesus experienced and expressed anger. The writer of Hebrews tells us that Christ was “tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). But every student of the gospels knows the account of Jesus’ cleansing of the temple. And there is also his response to his own disciples’ rebuff of children being brought for his blessing:

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these…” (Mark 10:13-16).

Jesus got angry – and yet he did not sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). And there are ample illustrations of God’s anger and wrath throughout the Old Testament as well. So anger, if experienced and expressed by both the Father and the Son, cannot be sin in and of itself. Sinful anger is a uniquely human problem: We add something to the “mix” that can make it sinful. Therefore Paul, quoting from Psalm 4, warns the Ephesian Christians, “In your anger, do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry” (Ephesians 4:26).

I have found Anger to be a huge problem in the local church today. Sometimes it’s the pastor, reacting in pain or utter frustration at the challenges he faces in leading his flock. At other times, it’s the members of the flock who are reacting to change, or even the prospect of losing personal influence. But all too often, it’s the vicious combination of the two. And I must admit that, in most cases, neither side is being particularly righteous in their expression of this emotion (although each thinks they are!)

The Scripture has a lot to say about anger and its proper expression. And its proper expression within the Church makes all the difference. Local churches, pastors and parishioners will always have seasons of stress, periodic conflicts and tough ministry challenges. The question we face is whether or not we will respond in ways that honor God and represent him well to each other and the world.

The Difference
There is a marked difference between godly anger and the eruptive emotion we often see in today’s local church. In every case, we see that God’s (Christ’s) anger is imposed upon sinful behavior, injustice, willful disobedience and the like. Righteous anger always is. However, most Christians today express anger in much the same way the world does – because of fear or over selfish, worldly pursuits. The anger I often have to address in local churches is the result of personal agendas being impeded. There is little or no self-control – the anger escalates and even becomes a weapon of intimidation over time. It is rooted more in personal posturing than in truth (and is often accompanied by a very personal “spin” on pertinent facts). The anger I see is impatient, calculated, vindictive, and bitter. It rarely guides the involved parties toward reconciliation and forgiveness. It simply does not honor God.

Biblical Guidance
So what does the Word of God have to say about anger? Let’s look at several verses to establish some sound, practical guidance on the subject:

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil (Psalms 37:8).

The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult (Proverbs 12:16).

A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated (Proverbs 14:17).

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1).

Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city (Proverbs 16:32).

A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again (Proverbs 19:19).

Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare (Proverbs 22:24-25).

A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression (Proverbs 29:22).

Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because he pursued his brother with the sword and cast off all pity, and his anger tore perpetually, and he kept his wrath forever (Amos 1:11).

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:21-24).

“If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man's whole body well? Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment" (John 7:23-24).

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21).

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil (Ephesians 4:26-27).

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth (Colossians 3:8).

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling… (1 Timothy 2:8).

For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined (Titus 1:7-8).

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God (James 1:19-20).


Conclusions
Many important points can be gleaned from this quick study of Scripture:

1. As Christians, we are to control anger, not be controlled by it. Being controlled by anger is continuous bondage and usually causes us to be led through life by our emotions.

2. Self-centeredness never leads to righteous anger. There are righteous reasons for anger, but these are never focused on self. If one gets angry because of some personal frustration or injury, you can bet that his or her anger is not righteous.

3. The fruit of escalating anger is always sin. Christians must diffuse anger before it has a chance to grow and multiply.

4. Agenda-driven anger builds a camp – which leads others into sin. As perhaps the most prominent expression of anger I see in local churches, anger over unfulfilled personal desires and agendas is extremely divisive. People get caught up in the battle – often choosing “sides” – before they realize it. I have yet to enter a conflicted church where this is not true.

5. Acting out of anger (rather than righteousness) always leads to sin. For those who are in Christ, it is possible to be angry and still act out of righteousness. This combination is purposeful, caring and edifying. Its opposite destroys.

6. Unrighteous anger is sin and incurs God’s judgment.

7. All those who lead in the local church must be exemplary when it comes to anger – not just the pastor! The biblical criteria for leadership are very clear on this point. People who have a temper make themselves ineligible for local church leadership.

It matters not whether it is the pastor, a powerbroker, or some other saint quietly seething in the back pew, anger in the local church is an issue that must be addressed. In next month’s edition of FORESEE, I will provide some practical advice on just how to do that. In the meantime, continue studying the verses above as part of your daily devotional time, and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you about your own experience and expression of anger.


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