Holy Great-Martyr Euphemia, the All-Famed (303).
Post-feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.
Ephesians 4:25-32. Luke 3:19-22.
Read Ephesians 4:25-32
Paul gives a teaching in today’s Epistle that addresses not only the proper conduct of Christians but also the correct state of the Christian’s heart. He moves from “let him who stole steal no longer” to “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away”—from outward action to inward disposition. I don’t know of any follower of Christ who would disagree with Paul here. While this all might be difficult to achieve, everyone recognizes that these are ideals to strive for.
But what about that line “Be angry, and do not sin”. Wait…be angry? Isn’t anger a vice, something to be avoided?
Often anger is to be avoided, especially when it leads us to harbour and increase resentment and bitterness in our hearts. But this isn’t what Paul is getting at. Paul is talking about an internal agitation or indignation against evil—insults against God, injustices against people. This anger is very different from the kind of anger that builds resentment because it affirms within us our love of God and neighbour and strengthens our resolve to love God and neighbour. Sometimes this is called ‘righteous anger’.
One way to know whether our anger is righteous anger is to apply the following test—Ask yourself the following questions: Does my anger linger for an extended period (i.e. several hours or into the next day)? Does my anger cause me to resent or be bitter against any particular person? If the answer to questions is no, then it is quite likely righteous anger.
An ongoing cause of anger that I am sure has affected many of us is the ongoing war in Ukraine initiated by the Russian Federation and the resulting loss of life and destruction of people’s homes and livelihoods. In this case, righteous anger leads to the desire for true peace and justice and to support a military response that works towards those goals. Resentful anger leads us ultimately to hate the people behind the aggression to the point where we forget that they are created and loved by God as well.
I’m sure you can think of other examples in your own life.
So be angry, yes, but do not sin.