Anger

The anger of man is one of the most common sins; as a matter of fact, it is so common that the majority of people take it for granted that it is impossible to be completely rid of it. But then they are also more unbelieving than believing, and besides that, their active interest in being saved as much as possible and being transformed is so small that they do not even know the scripture verses that speak about anger!

Not only is it perfectly possible to put off anger, it is absolutely necessary in order to be able to inherit the kingdom of God.

Let us pay diligent attention to some of the Scripture references: “Anger rests in the bosom of fools.” Eccl. 7:9. We can also say, it rests in the bosom of the foolish virgins. And of course, they came to a closed door and could not enter in. “Wrath kills a foolish man . . . .” Job 5:2. In other words, he cannot enter in. “You who tear yourself in anger . . . .” Job 18:4. “For wrath [is a sin] that brings the punishment of the sword . . . .” Job 19:29.

“But the hypocrites in heart lay up wrath . . . .” Job 36:13. It is quite unimaginable that Jesus should come to fetch such people! “For the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” Jas. 1:20. “But now you must also put off all these: anger, wrath . . . .” Col. 3:8. These are clear words. Have you taken the Word to heart to the degree that this has been fulfilled in your life? If not, then hurry to get it done.

Oh, how sad it is that even among converted people there are so many hard hearts. They are so hard that even extremely serious and glorious words of God cannot make a real impression on them. It really takes something to leave an impression on a stony heart!

“Let all . . . wrath, anger . . . be put [far] away from you.” Eph. 4:31. Approximately how far? Let us, by way of example, say a few thousand miles. In any case, so far away that it cannot reach you once, in any given situation.

In Galatians 5:19-21 we read that anger is one of the works of the flesh and that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. In other words, even if they have prayed to God and have attended ever so many meetings! The seriousness of it all! As can only be expected, we read something extremely serious about this in Matthew 5:21-22, in what is called the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus speaks about the strength of the light and compares the severity of the old covenant to the new covenant. The difference is extremely great, amazingly great. If you killed someone in the old covenant, you were guilty before the court. But now, in the new covenant, according to the strong light with which Jesus came, you are guilty before the court as soon as you are angry at your brother. (This, according to Danish, Swedish, French, and two different Geman translations.)

We can, quite safely, see it that seriously. When the words “without a cause” are added, one has thereby said that sometimes (of course you can always find a reason for it) you are right in getting angry. That, of course, contradicts this word: “Let all wrath, anger . . . be put [far] away from you.” It is also in disharmony with many other clear words of Scripture.

If the heart had been tender and soft and receptive, even the weakest words concerning the foolishness of being angry would have sufficed to cause a person to seek to get rid of it forever—in deadly earnest! Just imagine how unreceptive one has been if all these strong words taken together have not worked this thorough and glorious salvation!

Is it really so horribly bad and ungodly to be irritated or to get angry? That is exactly what it is, because then you are evil!

Follow the exhortation: “Therefore lay aside all . . . overflow of wickedness . . . .” Jas. 1:21. Once that has been done, what becomes of anger then?