Be angry [at sin—immorality, injustice, ungodly behavior], yet do not sin; do not let your anger [cause you shame, nor allow it to] last until the sun goes down. Ephesians 4:26
Love is not easily angered, provoked, nor overly sensitive, irritable, annoyed, or quick-tempered...1 Corinthians 13:5
Slow to Anger
The above words in 1 Corinthians are from various translations.
I cannot find a command not to be or get angry in scripture.
Is it because we find God Himself gets angry?
Was Jesus angry when He cleared out the temple and declared the temple's purpose to be a House of Prayer?
Anger is a God-given response to a righteous injustice.
We sin in anger because we often define injustice by our rights, standards, boundaries, and flesh that others have offended.
So, there are some benefits to being slow.
Slow to speak and slow to anger.
Stop and ask: Am I responding from love or myself?
It could be all about you if you have a long list of why you should be angry.
Throw it away, forgive the offense, and move on in love.
As we abide in Him, we will know when our anger is righteous, for the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth when we ask.
As followers of Jesus, we cannot allow sin against us to create sin in us.
How has anger damaged relationships in your life?
Describe a time when being slow to anger benefited you and others.
What is one action you can take to grow in love for others?
Lord, I want to be free of myself and my rights. I want to live unoffended as You did Jesus. Make me too weak to hold other's trespasses against me. Amen