Unbiblical Responses to Anger and Bitterness

Introduction

At times, you may try to justify your anger by saying, “God was angry (Numbers 25:4) and Jesus was angry (Mark 3:5), so I can be angry too.” However, God is perfectly holy, and you are not. His holiness, justice, love, and perfection remain constant even though He is jealous (Exodus 20:5), has wrath (2 Chronicles 28:11), exercises vengeance (Romans 12:19), and is indignant every day (Psalm 7:11). Unlike God, your flesh is in continual conflict between good and evil (Romans 7:14-25; Galatians 5:17). As a result, you will have difficulty responding to emotionally-charged situations without sinning.

SOME EXAMPLES FROM SCRIPTURE OF UNBIBLICAL DEEDS RESULTING FROM ANGER & BITTERNESS

Cain, in his anger, killed his brother. As a result, he became a vagrant and a wanderer (Genesis 4:5-8, 11-12).

Simeon and Levi were self-willed men, murdering others in their cruel anger. As a result, their families were scattered (Genesis 49:5-7).

Saul became angry and tried to kill his oldest son (1 Samuel 20:30-33).

Naaman became furious and refused to follow a simple command in order to be healed of leprosy. However, when he finally obeyed, he was healed (2 Kings 5:10-14).

Uzziah, confronted by the priests for his unfaithfulness to the Lord, became enraged and was struck with leprosy unto the day of his death (2 Chronicles 26:16-23).

Jonah was greatly displeased and angry when the Lord showed compassion on Nineveh, and God subsequently rebuked and humbled him (Jonah 4:1-11).

Simon, in his bitterness, tried to by the authority of God and was openly rebuked by Peter (Acts 8:14-24).

SOME UNBIBLICAL WAYS OF DEALING WITH ANGER & BITTERNESS

You explode in a rage or temper, striking out physically or verbally at people or things (this disregards Proverbs 16:32; Matthew 7:12; Romans 14:19; 1 Corinthians 13:4-5; Galatians 5:19-20, 22-23; Colossians 3:1).

You express anger outwardly (“ventilate your anger”) by beating a pillow (or another inanimate object) while thinking (or speaking) about the person with whom you are angry or bitter (disregards Psalm 19:14; 2 Corinthians 10:5; Philippians 2:3-4, 4:8-9; Colossians 3:2).

You control your temper at work (in front of your bosses) and at church (in front of fellow believers), but you exercise little or no control at home with your loved ones (this disregards Proverbs 25:28; Matthew 5:13-16, 7:12; Romans 12:9, 14:13; 1 Corinthians 13:4-5; Galatians 5:19-20, 22-23; Ephesians 4:1-3).

You exercise strenuously to release feelings of anger yet fail to deal with the sinful basis of your anger (this disregards 1 Samuel 16:7; Mark 7:20-23; 1 Timothy 4:8).

You “lose your temper” by honking your horn in traffic, throwing objects, yelling at others, or thinking and speaking obscenities (this disregards Proverbs 16:32; Matthew 5:16, 7:12; 1 Corinthians 13:4-5; Galatians 5:19-20, 22-23; Philippians 4:8-9; Colossians 3:17).

You seethe inwardly and become bitter (this disregards Psalm 19:14; Proverbs 25:28; Philippians 4:8-9; Hebrews 12:15).

You verbally attack or slander individuals who persecute you or take advantage of you (this disregards Matthew 5:10-12, 38-48; Romans 12:17-21, 13:10, 14:19, 15:2; Ephesians 4:29, 31-32; 1 Peter 2:20-25, 3:8-9).

You discuss everything about your anger or bitterness “to get in touch with your feelings” and to release repressed emotions (“catharsis”) (this disregards Matthew 15:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:17-25; Philippians 2:3-4, 3:13-14, 4:8-9).

You deny (“internalize”) that you are angry or bitter (this disregards Ephesians 4:15, 25; James 3:14, 5:16; 1 John 1:8-10).

You write vengeful letters to express your anger or bitterness but don’t mail them (to combine “ventilation of anger” and “catharsis”) (this disregards Matthew 5:22-24, 44; Mark 11:25-26; Romans 12:9-21, 14:10-12; Ephesians 4:29; Philippians 2:3-4, 4:8-9).

You characterize your anger as “righteous indignation” and your bitterness as “justifiable” instead of biblically examining your anger and bitterness and responding accordingly (this disregards Isaiah 5:20-21, 55:7-9; Matthew 7:1-5; Ephesians 4:31; Hebrews 12:15; James 1:19-25, 3:13 - 4:2).

SOME UNBIBLICAL JUSTIFICATIONS FOR ANGER & BITTERNESS

You claim that others and/or their actions are responsible for your anger or bitterness (this disregards Ezekiel 18:20; Mark 7:20-23; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Ephesians 4:31-32; Colossians 3:12-14).

You claim that past, present, and possible future circumstances have led to your anger or bitterness (this disregards Matthew 15:18-19; Romans 5:3-5, 8:28-29; James 1:2-4).