Anger Itself is not a Sin

Know that not every time you feel angry, you are sinning. You can feel anger, and it not be a sin. It is not the anger itself that is bad. What you do in your anger is what can be harmful to yourself and others. Keep your cool when angry. Think about what is best to do in response to the anger you feel. Think before you act. It is good to act. You are angry because you want something to be different. Get what you need, but go about it in a calm way. 

The Bible says that Jesus was without sin, but he got angry many times. Anytime I read through the gospels, I am always amazed at how often Jesus got angry. It seems like in half of his ministry, he was angry. Jesus was a man. He was fully human when he walked this earth. He had just as much testosterone as any man has. 

What made Jesus angry that didn't count as a sin? He got mad at his disciples when they were lacking in faith. He was mad often at the Pharisees because of their hard hearts and their extreme pride. He was mad at his mom and brothers when they tried to stop him from doing his ministry and called him crazy. He was mad that the Pharisees were unbending in not choosing to see his way of things. He was mad the Jews did not recognize him as the promised Messiah from the Old Testament. He was mad when the Pharisees asked him for a sign, when he had performed plenty of signs and miracles already. He flipped the tables in the temple, because he was mad they were trying to make money rather than focusing on that place being for worship. 

Feeling anger is not a sin in and of itself. You can be angry justifiably and not worry about being in sin. Maybe that anger is meant to energize you to pray more for the person you are angry with. Maybe it is meant to energize you to get what you want. You might be angry because you feel you deserve different treatment. You can either use that energy to reason with the person mistreating you, or go find a new person who will treat you better. 

Anger is a good emotion given to us by God to fix our life. A lot of people prefer to stuff their anger. They sweep it under the rug, but then they never get healed of what they are angry about. Talk it out. Let out what you are mad about to someone you know well and trust. It's ok to express your anger in rational conversations. Hopefully then you will be able to let it go. 

Romans 12:17-18

"If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'”