“Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.” (Eph. 4:26-27).
A distinctive mark of the old man is a bad temper based on unresolved anger. Paul once again quotes the Old Testament. He quotes Psalm 4:4. The New America Translation is “Tremble and do not sin.” There is anger which is righteous as we see in the Lord Himself (Mk. 3:5 and Jn. 2:13-17), but His anger never led to sin.
Anger over sin is one matter but personal provocation or wounded pride is not appropriate. Our anger can have no sinful motives and thus cannot be allowed to cause us to sin in thought, word, or deed. Paul is quite aware that what sometimes begins as righteous indignation against sin can become perverted and thus turned against others. Thus he insists that we cannot let “the sun go down on your anger.” It is possible that Psalm 4:4 is still in view. The last part of that verse says, “Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still.” It is impossible for us to meditate upon God and hold anger in our hearts toward another.
The danger with anger is that it provides the devil an opportunity to influence our thinking. What may have begun as indignation against injustice or wrong, if retained and nursed as a grievance (NEB) will allow the devil to lead us to unkind thoughts and personal resentment. Are you harboring any grudges and nursing an unresolved anger? Resolve it today so that you don’t give the devil an open door.
Prayer: Father, forgive me if I allow personal bitterness cloud my relationship with You and with other believers. Amen