Anger is just the “tip of the iceberg” — a universal emotion everyone experiences at some point in their lives, whether that is due to injustices, personal slights, or frustrations. Anger is called the “tip of the iceberg” because our secondary emotions such as envy, disgust, sadness, and disappointment are buried underneath the surface, ready to boil over at any moment into our personal lives. Many people are taught that anger is inherently wrong or sinful, such as in Christian contexts where we are Biblically taught to manage and control it. However…is it always sinful? We’ll explore how to differentiate between sinful and righteous anger and learn how to handle it in a way that honors God.
Understanding Anger: What the Bible Says
Anger itself is not inherently sinful, but how we express it can lead us to make decisions that impact our relationship with God and others. It can be said that anger is tough to control because it often sweeps over our flesh, causing us to make emotionally charged choices. For instance, someone filled with rage may make hurtful remarks toward whoever is nearby without fear of hurting one’s feelings. Another person may become angry and do the opposite, pervasively ignoring someone on purpose. Both forms of anger can have a lasting effect on the person directly or indirectly, sharing in the sting of the hurt.
Redeemingly, the Bible guides us on how to deal with our anger appropriately. For instance, a Scripture passage in Ephesians 4:26-27 states simply, “In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” This passage emphasizes that we must be mindful of our thought processes before proceeding with our actions, while also emphasizing that it is beneficial not to let anger fester for too long. Our options are to let go of the anger, reconcile with the other person, or have an honest personal reflection. If we do not choose one of the three, the devil can enter into a foothold or have a strong grip on our lives which allows him to stir up conflict, tempt us to sin, or sow division. This is why it is so imperative to reference Scripture, which also discusses anger in referencing how “human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” (James 1:19-20), and in Proverbs, “Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.” (Prov. 14:29). In other words, controlling anger reaps Godly benefits, while not controlling it reaps enemy consequences.
Distinguishing between Righteous and Sinful Anger
Righteous Anger
The characteristics of righteous anger include a motivation by love for justice, holiness, and God’s glory. It is controlled and leads to constructive outcomes— whether through confrontation, advocacy for justice, or prayer. Righteous anger seeks God’s glory and the good of others, not personal gain. Key scriptures that exemplify righteous anger include Psalm 4:4 which says, “In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.” Another exemplifying scripture is Mark 3:5, “He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.”
Sinful Anger
The characteristics of sinful anger include impulsiveness, selfishness, vengeance, and motivated by pride. It often results in bitterness, harsh words, and even violence. Sinful anger is focused on personal offense and is often destructive. Key scriptures that exemplify sinful anger include Proverbs 29:22, noting that, “An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins,” and Matthew 5:22 stating, “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.”
Practical Steps for Handling Anger
The Holy Spirit empowers believers to gain self-control, responding to anger in graceful strides. As we yield to the Holy Spirit, our anger can be redirected toward justice, righteousness, and God’s glory, rather than personal gain. We are blessed, as it states in the book of Galatians, that we are given the fruit of the Spirit including self-control, helping us out with anger problems. In 1 Peter 2:23, Jesus showed significant restraint and forgiveness because in response to insults and suffering thrown at Him, He did not retaliate or make any threats back to them. Jesus had to yield to the Holy Spirit to practice self-control.
To learn to practice self-control, the first step to handling anger is to engage in self-reflection. You may begin to ask yourself: “Is my anger motivated by a desire for justice or personal offense? Is it honoring God, or am I seeking to hurt someone in retaliation?” Sometimes, our motivations for having an ungodly response can stem from our unwillingness to engage in active listening, as Faith on the Journey discusses in our recent blog. We can listen to respond empathetically, and we can also listen for our personal gain. However, one of the boldest, most powerful prayers that you can present before God to help work on your inner reflections is Psalm 139: 23-24, when David asked God to search and know his heart, testing and knowing his anxious thoughts. Praying this prayer invites God into the equation, which leads to spiritual healing, and praying it tells God that you want him to help you heal from angered thoughts.
Another helpful strategy for managing anger is to confront injustice or wrongdoing in a way that is both truthful and loving. Anger should never be an excuse for harshness or bitterness, and the book of Matthew reminds us not to let anger fester and to seek reconciliation quickly to prevent it from becoming bitterness or a root of division. We should be kind and compassionate toward one another, showing forgiveness when we can (even though we may not forget the situation). In times of anger, pray for God’s help in managing your emotions and responding righteously. One faithful saying that I keep in my mind as I am deciding when to speak is to “Pause, Pray, and Reflect.” Not only does this force me to think before reacting, but also helps me to practice discernment.
Summary
Righteous anger, when handled properly, can be a powerful tool for standing against injustice and upholding God’s holiness. However, it must be distinguished from sinful anger, which seeks personal vengeance and leads to harm. Reflect on your anger—does it arise from a love for justice and God’s glory, or personal frustration and pride? Pray for wisdom and strength to handle your anger in a way that honors God.
As you reflect upon this blog, you are welcome to share your thoughts in the comments or reflect upon your experiences with anger in your own lives. If you need further assistance in better understanding the root of anger, please see our website at Faith on the Journey for counseling resources and additional reading material. You may also choose to begin a personal prayer list or scripture reading plan if you are still struggling with anger.
About Author
Marisa Bridge, Doctoral Intern with Faith on the Journey, is a Christian Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Ohio. Marisa holds a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health and Addictions counseling from Youngstown State University in Ohio. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in Counseling and Psychological Studies with a focus on Trauma and Crisis Counseling through Regent University in Virginia, as her passion is to help others resolve trauma symptoms by applying faith-based principles. Marisa presently serves individuals, couples
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