"ANGER"

Bienhome Muivah *

Anger or being angry is a daily phenomenon. It's a very common emotion that most of us experience either for a good reason or for bad reason. So, anger is not a new thing for anyone of us here. What triggers a person to get angry? There could be one reason or the other, obviously the person is dissatisfied.

The word 'Anger' and 'Angry' are mentioned in the Old Testament 258 times and 16 times in the New Testament. Most of these passages speak of God's anger at man. A few of the provocation includes:

i) Stubbornness -Exodus 4:14
ii) Idolatory -Exodus 32:7-14
iii) Pride -Numbers 12: 1-9
iv) Rebellion -Numbers 32: 10-14
v) Backsliding -Deuteronomy 7: 3,4; 13: 12-18
vi) Sin -Joshua 23:16; I Kings 11:9; 15:30; 21:22


Even though the scriptures record many instances of God's wrath, we are told in Nehemiah 9:16,17, "But they, our forefathers became arrogant and stiff-necked … refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles … . But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love....."

Throughout Israel's history, their selfishness against God's established Word of Plan for them provoked God's anger often. Yet Nehemiah knew of God's forgiveness, how gracious and compassionate He is, and how God is very patient in becoming angry because of His abounding love.

Throughout the scripture there was a corresponding theme for God's anger: His unselfish and protective love for His people. Love was and is God's motive, "For his anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime...." (Psalm 30:5).

The difference between God's anger and ours:
First of all, I believe that God is in control of His anger and He is not controlled by the emotional response of anger.

Secondly, His motives through His anger is to love and protect us within the boundaries of the word.

Thirdly, He is the God of chances. In Jonah Chapter 1, we read that the word of the Lord came to Jonah telling him to go to Nineveh and preached against its wickedness.

Verse 3 tells us that Jonah disobeys and does something on contrary and God knew he was running, and verse 10 reveals that those on the ship sailing for Tarshish knew he was running. Chapter 2 tell us about the great fish and how Jonah prayed from its belly, "Lord. If you get me out of this mess I'll go back....."

Then that marvelous verse in Ch.3, "Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you". God is the God of Second chance. In verse 2 of Ch. 4, Jonah declares........"I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity". Even with Jonah's disobedience, God motive was to redeem.

Fourthly, God's anger is just, Psalm 89:14 reveals, "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you". 'Just' according to the dictionary means fair or morally right.

God's anger is based upon sound reason. Jeremiah knew of God's justice when he said, "Correct me, Lord, but only with justice-not in your anger, lest you reduce me to nothing (Jeremiah 10:24). Anger is redeemable.

The Human Anger: Selfish protection is one factor of human anger. Why do we try to protect ourselves with anger? Because the person had something to hide. He feared being seen as insignificant. So he demanded in an evil and controlling way that others meet his needs of significance. He feared loss of control. Being open and vulnerable was too risky, so he remained unapproachable. In his way of thinking, he was in control of his environment.

So being angry/anger is a defense mechanism for people who have a very low self-esteem and empty inside. Therefore, he resort to anger and this is his most effective tool.

Consequently, anger became close part of his life whether awaringly or unawaringly and eventually, it became his life style.
We all have made wrong decisions in our anger. Some fathers over-corrected their children in anger. Some husbands speaks harshly with their wives (Vice-versa). Among friends or co-woker we have the tendency to impose our views and opinions on them and when they do on contrary we lose our temper. Which mean we want everything to go our own way, ignoring the interest of others. The motive is selfishness. The point is, anger is our choice. We begin to interpret the events in our own environment or perspective.

Human anger originates from a selfish desire. It is mainly targeted to meet his selfish desire. Whereas, God doesn't hold on to His anger or use it against by treating us as we deserve. Instead, He removes our transgressions. He is indeed a good Father!

Justifiable versus unjustifiable Anger:
"Scripture models both justifiable and unjustifiable anger"

Unjustifiable first: In (Genesis 4:5,6) we are told that God did not look upon Cain's offerings favorably. In verse 6, the Lord asks Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?" To further disobey God, Cain devised a plan to go out into a field with his brother Abel and kill him. Cain disobeyed God, and rather than repent and forgive, he followed his devious angry heart to murder.

A second example of unjustifiable anger was displayed by a man in the New Testament named Herod. He was jealous that another king had been born. So, Herod instructed the Magi to find this child so he could worship Him as well. Herod's plans were foiled. However, when in a dream the Magi were told not to report back to King Herod. When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and gave orders to kill all the male child in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under........(Mt. 2:16).

Here we can see a spirit that is determined to destroy by leading to sinful responses. This is an act of selfishness and is a grave sin. The 'end', result of unjustifiable anger is sin: abuse, divorce, family separation, mockery/taunting and even murder. Unjustifiable anger is motivated by selfish protection and control.

Justifiable Anger: It is also found in the Bible. While Moses was in the presence of God on Mount Sinai receiving the two tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God, the children of Israel wear melting rings, bracelets, necklaces, and making a golden calf to worship as God. What made things worse was that Moses' co-leader, Aaron, was part of the rebellion and was building an altar in front of the calf in order to sacrifice to this metal image.

In Exodus 32:19 describes a "red hot", which means he was extremely angry and out of control. In such a situation when Moses was talking face to face, receiving the 10 commandments from the Lord. I believe this is a very very crucial moment for Moses and it is frightful indeed. At this juncture, his own people along with his co-leader Aaron after having seen miracles after miracles, worshiping and dancing before the idols. So Moses anger is justifiable. I don't mean to condone any kind of anger. But from human point of view made of flesh and blood, we can identify Moses' anger.

Jesus also dealt with anger. One day He was in the synagogue and there found a man with a shriveled hand. It was the Sabbath, and the Pharisees were watching Jesus to see if He would heal on the "Sacred Day". Their belief was that no work should be performed on the Sabbath. They viewed Jesus as a Sabbath breaker. They hated Him when He made statements found in Mark 2:27, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath". Mark 3:5 records Jesus' response "He look around at them (the Pharisees) in anger and, deeply distress at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretched out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored." Jesus went on to heal the man. Was Jesus justified in His anger towards those Pharisees? Therefore, justifiable anger turned into doing good and healing a shriveled hand.

Thus, justifiable anger leads to righteousness of God; healing of relationships, confronting sin, and control that provides parameters of love and concern for the benefit of others. The motive is love and protection of others while upholding a standard of righteousness.

The turning Point: How to make the transition from self-motivated anger to other centered compassion and concern? What is the right thing to do with anger? Do we stuff it, dump it, deny it, or blame shift? None of the above! Everyone has the belief that anger is injurious and destructive.

If all anger is destructive, then anger in our mind had to be a sin. Consequently, self-control of anger becomes our priority. Anger brings a total breakdown in relationship. As a result, bitterness and revenge creep into our hearts. When withholding forgiveness, we can think we are punishing the other person. We are actually punishing ourselves. Withholding forgiveness leads to bitterness. Punishment is God's responsibility, not ours.

Therefore, it is vital as Christians that forgiveness 'must' be put into practice at once without any delay because the longer it becomes the more hazardous it becomes more to ourself. Little do we know that we are destroying ourselves day by day.

Forgiveness is divine. Therefore, forgiveness is the only antidote to one's anger. But it is not easy at all until we get the strength from the Lord. Anger is like an acid. It does more harm to the container than the substance itself. Because it corrodes/perforate the container. The container is our heart. Likewise, if bitterness/anger is entertained for a longer period we will be corroded physically, mentally, and spiritually. Which will lead to psychosomatic illness. Dear friends, anger is destructive and sinful as the Bible clearly indicated. Anger leads us to many deadly sins.

Therefore, what do we do as a Christians is to avoid a sinful/unrighteous anger? The Bible is the only Blue Print for Christians. Do not look for remedy elsewhere. Exercise self-control and this comes only by relying on the Lord.

Cool Sunday!