The problem with anger

Anger is a very interesting topic to study in the Bible

As a character trait, can we say it is good or bad?

We know God got angry several times in the Bible. Jesus Christ also got angry. Is that enough to justify anger in ourselves?

Elisha had just been granted a double portion of Elijah's anointing. And one day,  a group of children began taunting him on his baldness. Being of a short temper, he angrily cursed innocent children and many of them were immediately massacred by bears.

Jesus also got angry a few times in the Bible. We notice in Mark 3:5 and 11:15-18, that His anger was usually caused by the distortion of God's divine purpose and never lasted long. In fact, Jesus himself said in Matthew 12:32 NLT,

" Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come"

This statement is indicative of the selfless nature of His emotions.

Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 4:26 KJV

" Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath"

This statement alludes to the possibility of anger leading to sin, while agreeing that anger is not sin.

In spite of the many times it is recorded in the scripture of God getting angry, He curiously describes Himself to Moses as "slow to anger" in Exodus 34:6 NLT (this is one of the most awesome verses I've ever read in my life!)

" The LORD passed in front of Moses, calling out, "Yahweh! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness" "

So what model should a child of God follow? What are the consequences of anger?

In 2Kings 3:15 NIV,

" Now bring me someone who can play the harp." While the harp was being played, the power of the LORD came upon Elisha,"

Elisha had been angry at the idolatry of Israel's king and thus could not hear from God. After music was played, was he able to connect spiritually and hear what God was telling him.

Thus we ascertain biblically that anger leads to spiritual blindness. It makes us unable to connect with God. It fills us with unnecessary noise and static that clouds our sense of judgement.

In 2 Chronicles 16:10 NLT

"Asa became so angry with Hanani the seer for saying this that he threw him into prison and put him in stocks. At the time, Asa also began to oppress some of his people "

We see above that a once devout king grew angry as a result of God's chastisement through a prophet. This blocked his wisdom and caused him to  harm God's messenger. He also became a tyrant as a result. Scripture records that he didn't turn to God, even for help with a disease, till he died, preferring scientific care.

Anger can cut us off from our salvation! Only pride can cause anger at correction from our heavenly Father. When we get angry, we should pray for the grace to humble ourselves and defeat pride.

Jesus got angry at the helplessness of human suffering

In  John 11:33, 35 & 38 NLT

33. "When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled"

35. "Then Jesus wept"

38. "Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance"

It could be difficult to imagine what would make Jesus angry enough to shed tears as recorded in the above passage.

He was watching his close friends in their grief and he grew deeply angry at their plight. Angry at who I wonder? It was zealous anger to fix what was broken. And Lazarus soon came alive.

In conclusion, James the Less puts it best in James 1:20 NLT, when he says:

"Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires"