Feb 14 2012
Anger Is Not Right
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
James 1:19–20
Pastor Rick once said, God gave us two ears and one mouth, so we should be listening more than speaking. This verse additionally tells me to not get angry too easily. Instead, I should be listening more intently, with understanding and compassion. Then I may talk with kindness, and the very last thing I should do is get angry.
Should I get angry at all? The Message version of the Bible summarized it like this:
Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. God’s righteousness doesn’t grow from human anger. So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.
I should not get angry with evil intentions. If I find myself wanting to speak or act in anger, I must let God be the one doing the talking and acting. God does not react in evil ways. He’s the author of life and the knows everyone’s future. He’s the only perfect solution to any problem.
I plant myself with God’s word, so I may yield fruitful life and relationships. Self-righteous anger is not right. God-centered solution is what I need, with strength under pressure.
