Ephesians 4:26 says, “‘In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” In understanding this command, it’s good to differentiate emotions from actions. We all feel emotion. At various times, we feel sadness, grief, frustration, excitement, happiness, and anger. Feelings come naturally and are not sinful in and of themselves. It is how we act on those emotions that can be sinful. Emotion is internal and not directed towards people. Action is external and can be directed positively or negatively toward others.
Here is the context of the verse: “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ‘In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” Ephesians 4:25-32.
This passage follows Paul’s teaching about the new nature that we embrace through the Holy Spirit by faith in Jesus Christ Ephesians 4:17-24. If we become angry for some reason—we experience the involuntary emotion or passion of anger—we are not to allow it to prompt sinful actions. And we do not stay angry. We do not dwell on it. We deal with it quickly, in constructive and God-honoring ways, so it does not grow stronger and produce bitterness in our lives. The biblical admonition is to deal with the anger on the same day as the provocation. Before we go to sleep that night, we should have taken positive steps to find a solution to the problem and alleviate the anger.
We all allow our anger to get the best of us at times. When we are wronged or feel unfairly disadvantaged, we naturally want to retaliate or “fix the problem” in the fastest way. But when our response involves “rage, anger, harsh words, and slander” Ephesians 4:31, we have crossed a line. We have sinned in our anger and given the devil a foothold. Sometimes, long after we should have moved on, we harbor a desire to revisit the wound and hang on to the anger. This only leads to Bitterness. We must yield to the Holy Spirit and trust in His power to overcome such sin.
Ironman September 4th at 5:30PM
Sunday September 8th, 2024
Bible Basics at 9:00 AM
Worship Service 10:00 Guest Preacher: Jack Young
Streaming: Live Streaming will be posted on the church website starting at 10:00 AM
Church Website: https://www.firstbaptist3rivers.com/
Pastor Alex Garcia 559-623-1002
First Baptist Church of Three Rivers