Slow to Anger

"He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,

and he who rules his spirit,

than he who captures a city."

Proverbs 16:32

We had a guest speaker at church yesterday - a missionary from Austria.  His message was on anger.  It was a great message.  

He defined unrighteous, sinful anger, as what arises when we don't get what we want.  Unrighteous anger is motivated by an idolatrous desire.  It's all about us.  We are the Lord of our lives when we display unrighteous anger.  Cain is an example of one who displayed unrighteous anger.  The result was murdering his brother. 

Righteous anger in us, on the other hand, arises when God doesn't get what He wants.  It's about Him.  It's an emotion that is motivated by a sincere love for God, and Christ is the Lord of our lives, not us.  If Jesus is made fun of, it should make us angry.

We are instructed to be angry, yet don't sin.  (Ephesians 4:26)  Paul is talking about righteous anger, when God doesn't get what He wants, when He is maligned.  He should get what He wants, because He is God.  He made us.  He owns us.  He is holy.  God never does anything wrong, desires anything wrong, or demands anything wrong.  We are not to let the sun go down on our righteous anger because righteous anger can go bad, quickly, and turn into unrighteous anger.  We are sinful, therefore we need to shut it down, fast.  Don't go to bed smoldering.  

The effects of righteous anger is that those who are in error can be set on a path to correction. Righteous anger should motivate us to do good things, to encourage and exhort those who are in error.  We should be angry that babies are killed in the womb.  This is righteous anger, but we shouldn't go out and bomb abortion clinics.  Instead, volunteer to work as a counselor or give to organizations such as Care Net. 

Here is a list of the results of unrighteous anger: 

• Gossip (as revenge)  
• Separation, lack of unity
• Hurt  
• Arguments
• Quarreling
• Wars
• Revenge

Solomon gives us biblical wisdom on what to do when others get sinfully angry:

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."  Proverbs 15:1  

Do not return angry words for angry words.  It's like throwing gasoline on a fire.  Return anger with gentleness.  It will pour water on the fire of angry words.

"He who conceals a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends."  Proverbs 17:9  

Do not expose the sin by gossip.

"Like one who takes a dog by the ears is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him."  Proverbs 26:17  


Be careful about getting involved if you are not asked for help.  You'll probably get bit.

"The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so abandon the quarrel before it breaks out."  Proverbs 17:14  

Walk away or it will become a gusher of anger.

What else can we do?  Represent Christ to the person who is displaying unrighteous anger.  Find out what this person needs.  If we are the one who has displayed unrighteous anger, we need to confess our sin and ask for forgiveness.  

Additional verses:

Psalm 37:8 - "Cease from anger and forsake wrath; do not fret; it leads only to evildoing."

Proverbs 15:18 - "A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but the slow to anger calms a dispute."

Proverbs 19:11 - "A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression."

Proverbs 19:19 - "A man of great anger will bear the penalty, for if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again." 

Let the natural consequences of a very angry man teach him not to be angry.

Psalm 119:11 - "Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against you."  

Take preemptive measures by memorizing scripture.  Draw from it when you feel the unrighteous anger welling up.  Scripture is the gentle, cool water that douses the fire of sinful anger.  It will also protect righteous anger from turning sinful.