Monday, December 19, 2011

In Your Anger Do Not Sin

Psalm 4:4 says this, and Paul repeats it in Ephesians 4:26:  "In your anger do not sin."  This statement is followed in both passages by the idea of not going to bed angry; or, while you are in your bed, quietly searching your heart.  So then, is anger a sin?

Colossians 3:8 tells us to rid ourselves of things such an anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language.  In this list, anger is connected to the acts of the sinful nature, and the opposite of the way "Children of the Light" should live.  Does this mean it is a sin to get angry?

James 1:19 says we should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because, "man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."  Is anger a sin?

I am interested to hear what you all have to say in this regard.  Anger...is it a sin?

(Try to use scripture for your answers, because we all know our emotions can control us and seem right, even when they are wrong.  Saying, "I feel that..." to make a point is not going to hold water against scripture.)