The Text
Not All Anger Is Sinful
The spirit of charity, or Christian love, is the opposite of an angry or wrathful spirit. It is not all manner of anger that Christianity is opposite and contrary to. It is said, Be ye angry, and sin not (Ephesians 4:26); which seems to suppose that there is such a thing as anger without sin. And therefore a Christian spirit is opposite to all undue and unsuitable anger. But anger may be undue or unsuitable in several respects: in its nature, its occasion, its end, and its measure.
Anger Undue in Its Nature
All anger that contains ill-will, or a desire of revenge, is what Christianity forbids. Some have defined anger to be a desire of revenge. But doubtless there is such a thing as anger that is consistent with goodwill; for a father may be angry with his child, and yet have the very highest desire for its true welfare, his very anger being but his opposition to that which he thinks will be of injury to it. But the anger that contains ill-will and the desire of revenge is what Christianity by the most fearful sanctions forbids.
Anger Undue in Its Occasion
Anger is unchristian when it is without just cause. Of this Christ speaks when he says, Whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment (Matthew 5:22). This may be the case when the occasion of anger is that which is no fault at all in the person who is its object. Many persons are of such a proud and peevish disposition that they will be angry at anything that is in any respect against them or troublesome to them, whether anybody be to blame for it or not.
Anger is also unsuitable and unchristian when our spirits are stirred at the faults of others chiefly as they affect ourselves, and not as they are against God. If there be a fault or sin, it is infinitely worse as against God than it is as against us, and therefore it requires the most opposition on that account. Our anger should be like Christ’s anger. He was like a lamb under the greatest personal injuries, and we never read of his being angry but in the cause of God against sin as sin.
Anger Undue in Its Measure
Anger may be far beyond what the case requires — so great as to put persons beyond the control of themselves. The degree of anger ought always to be regulated by the end of it.
Anger is also beyond measure, and thus sinful, when it is immoderate in its continuance. It is a very sinful thing for persons to be long angry. Anger resteth in the bosom of fools (Ecclesiastes 7:9). If anger be long continued, it soon degenerates into malice. If a person allows himself long to hold anger towards another, he will quickly come to hate him. All, therefore, should be exceedingly careful how they suffer anger long to continue in their hearts.
The Application
Our own consciences, if faithfully searched, can best tell us whether we are persons of such an angry spirit as has been described. God does not call Christians into his kingdom that they may indulge greatly in fretfulness. Consider frequently your own failings, by which you have given both God and man occasion to be displeased with you. Those that are most ready to be angry with others, and to carry their resentments highest for their faults, are often equally or still more guilty of the same faults.
Consider also how much such a spirit unfits persons for the duties of religion. All undue anger indisposes us for the pious exercises and the active duties of religion. It puts the soul far from that sweet and excellent frame of spirit in which we most enjoy communion with God. And hence it is that God commands us not to approach his altars while we are at enmity with others, but first to be reconciled to our brother, and then come and offer our gift (Matthew 5:24). Let these considerations prevail with all, and lead them to avoid an angry spirit and temper, and to cultivate the spirit of gentleness, and kindness, and love, which is the spirit of heaven.