ANGER

James 1:19-21

Matthew 5:21-24

Whenever Jesus said, “You've heard that it is said,” he was going to present a view that was in contrast to or counter intuitive to human thinking. Matthew 5 is filled with such teachings. In the weeks to come, we're going to look at such topics as loving our enemies, bold and radical witnessing, retaliation, oaths, adultery and today's topic, anger.

The world tells us that anger is a valid, normal emotion. As long as our anger doesn't result in harm to property or people, the justice system doesn't view it as a crime like assault or murder. However, Ephesians 4:26 says,”Be angry, but do not sin.” So, when is anger a sin, and when isn't it?

Everyone gets angry, including me. It's a protective behavior. When something or someone threatens me or hurts me physically or emotionally, I get angry. It's part of the fight or flight reflex. So, if it's a naturally occurring, defensive reaction why or how is it a sin?

Anger and the unloving, harmful behavior it may produce, can be murder on our relationships with other people. Because when we're not in right relationship other people, we aren't in right relationship with God, Jesus, in today's gospel lesson, tells us that working things out, reconciliation, takes precedence over offering worship to God. In fact, in Ephesians 4:26, we're counseled to not let the sun go down on our anger.

“Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than anything on which it is poured. “ (Mark Twain)

When anger is allowed to fester into grudges and unforgiveness, it is a toxin that not only affects our health, mind, body and soul, but it also impacts our relationship with God through Christ. Toxic anger becomes the focus of our lives rather than Christ. Such anger controls our actions and our thoughts. Even though the person who angered us is unwilling or unable to take responsibility for their actions, we are responsible for doing the right thing by forgiving and letting go of our anger.

“You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness.” James 1:19-20.

Whether it's the person who gets on our last nerve, the contentious person who always finds fault with us, that negative, argumentative person in our life or our friends and family members, being quick to listen is excellent advice.

• Be quick to pay attention to the degree of our anger. If it is overt, what is pushing our hot buttons? Does this remind us of another time when we have been hurt, and are we projecting that on this situation?

• Be quick to listen between the lines.  Human beings are imperfect communicators.  We often want to say one thing, and it comes out of mouths may be quite different.  Slow down, and stop to clarify -- "This is what I heard you say.  Is that what you meant?

• Be quick to listen with God's heart. Every person comes into our lives wounded and flawed and may act out their pain in their relationships with others. Seek God's understanding and compassion for this person.

Anger is a valid emotion when we are threatened or hurt by others, and there are conditions in this world that should produce moral outrage in us. Justifiable, righteous anger is being angry for the right reason and results in the right action. That is, it produces God's righteousness -- reconciliation, healing, forgiveness or acts of justice, mercy and compassion.