Be angry and do not sin, do not let the sun go down on your anger. – Ephesians 4:26
Just as pain can be a signal that something is wrong in your body, negative emotions, such as anger, can be a signal that something is wrong in your life. Is anger sin? Jesus was perfect and did not sin, but He became angry when He saw the temple becoming a place of commerce rather than a place of prayer. He drove out the money-changers with a whip (John 2:13-17).
However, when anger is not dealt with correctly, it can lead to sin. Notice that Jesus did not punch out the money-changers. His anger was directed toward the sin, not the sinner. Today’s verse advises to not let the sun go down on your anger. In other words, deal with it promptly. Sometimes dealing with it may mean walking away from the situation to avoid a harsh reaction that may be directed toward someone else, instead of the actual issue. The first step is to be aware and acknowledge you are angry. Instead of being quick to blame, identify what is behind the emotion.
Is there something wrong that needs to be fixed? Seek the Lord for wisdom and clarity about the circumstances. Once the initial storm has blown over, and you have prayed for the solution and received an answer, proceed in love. Though you may feel strong emotion over what is going on in this country, pray for the people involved. Ask God what you can do to be helpful in the situation. Pray for lost souls to be saved, especially the ones who appear to have no regard for God’s will.
Today’s Verse: Ephesians 4:26
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Romans 12:9-21
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 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.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
