RIGHTEOUS ANGER

Righeous anger takes a clear understanding of a bad situation and gives us a reaction that does not lead to sin. Much easier said then done. We have all been in the situation where we have calmly stated our opinion on something to someone, to have them 'push our buttons' until we do react in anger. That reaction is irritation, exasperation, and irrationality. We must be honest here, there will be people like this is our lifes. I/We had to made a decision if the friendship is worth the battle.

Jesus showed righteous anger when the disciples forbade the children to go to Him. Mark 10:14 In Matthew 23:13-36 when He condemned the scribes and Pharisees. Again when He told Peter to get behind me, Satan. In each one of these cases Jesus understood the wrong.

Still confused. Okay let's look at it another way. As Christians righteous anger would be our attitude toward criminal activities. We do not hate the sinner but the sin. The crimial actitity must be stopped, the person caught, prosecuted and sentenced. As believers our very growth will bring us to a place where we don't hate the criminal regardless of their behavior.

We see righteous anger when we look at the love God has for us in that He loves us anyway. His love depends on His character, not ours.

It is possible to have this divine viewpoint. We put the matter in the Lord's hands, stay in fellowship, maintain a relaxed attitude. Still not easy, nobody said it would be. By staying in fellowship we are placing ourselves in the best position to be of service in the situation. The Bible continually tells us to maintain righteousness in the face of unfair treatment. Example: Turn the other cheek, forgive 70 X 7.

Anger is not always wrong. [In our research we came across the following. Alas recj lost the site info. We do include it as copied.] Righteous anger can be distinguished by the following characteristics:

(1) Godly anger is God-like anger, it is an expression of the anger which has toward the actions of men. Godly people are angry when God is angry. It is anger which is consistent with the holy and righteous character of God.

(2) Godly anger is legal anger. It is wrath based upon men’s violation of God’s law, and it is anger which is lawfully expressed. The Old Testament Law not only revealed that conduct which was unacceptable to God, making Him angry, but what the consequences of God’s anger would be. Godly anger is not vigilante justice, it is legal justice. Those who hate abortion but express their anger in the burning of abortion clinics (and thereby endangering other lives) are not expressing their anger legally.

(3) Godly anger is not explosive, but is only slowly provoked.
Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth (Exodus 34:6). Repeatedly, God warned sinful Israel through the prophets before pouring out His wrath on them. God’s anger does not have a hair trigger.

(4) God does not take pleasure in expressing His anger in the judgment of men.
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

For the LORD will rise up as at Mount Perazin, He will be stirred up as in the valley of Gebeon; To do His task, His unusual task, And to word His work, His extraordinary work (Isaiah 28:21).

(5) Godly anger is always under control. Godly anger does not lose its temper. Ungodly anger is excessive and abusive; godly anger never is. Godly anger is always under the control of the one expressing it, rather than anger taking control of them.
But He, being compassionate, forgave their iniquity, and did not destroy them; And often He restrained His anger, And did not arouse all His wrath (Psalm 78:3).

Be Angry, but do not sin! Even the best thoughts can turn sour. Paul said sin not, but immediately told us to not sin. The two go hand in hand.

God Bless you
recj/LJG