Anger

I’ve heard it’s an old Chinese proverb, but I cannot find the source. I believe the statement to have a certain validity:

That which angers me, controls me.

I need to be certain God is directing my life, and my anger. Being angry is not in itself an error. The majority of scriptural texts that refer to anger are speaking of God’s anger, not that of mankind. Try a search on the phrase “anger of the Lord” and you’ll find 32 KJV verses – without being a phrase (same words) and there are 96 verses. There are times anger is appropriate and a rebuke necessary.

When describing qualities a bishop must have, anger can come, but not quickly:

For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; (Titus 1:7 KJV)

Rebuking, however, takes more caution. While there are several verses indicating harsh criticism is necessary, it needs to be done within God’s will, according to His purpose. A few of the examples are:

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. (Luke 17:3 KJV)

Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. (1 Timothy 5:20 KJV)

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (2 Timothy 4:2 KJV)

However, when done personally, we run the risk of imitating Peter:

Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. (Matthew 16:22 KJV)

I never want to hear Christ speak to me as He did here to Peter:

But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. (Matthew 16:23 KJV)

What pain Peter must have felt!

So, when we must, These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. (Titus 2:15 KJV)

Always be certain that authority is God.