Anger: The devil’s door

 Ephesians Anger is a feeling oriented toward some real or supposed grievance. It is kindled or roused by many things including harsh words and provocative actions.

On one hand, anger can be viewed as just a strong, innocent and legitimate emotion that registers one’s displeasure towards some words said or action done against him or her. In that case anger depicts that the offended party is normal and sensitive to external stimuli. But, on the other hand, anger can be regarded as one of the deadly sins.

Apostle Paul’s words “be you angry” reveal the idea that sometimes it is necessary and normal to show the emotion of anger in response to provoking statements or actions. In other words he is taking it for granted that all people, Christians included, can be angered in one way or the other and he therefore makes an allowance for such an emotion to be vented.

However, the following words “and sin not” makes us understand that anger can result in sin. You could say that anger and sin are closely related; there is a very thin line of separation between anger and sin. When anger goes beyond the boundary of showing displeasure to causing harm it becomes sin.

When does anger ceases to be an indication of being a normal being to being a sin? Anger becomes sin when it becomes uncontrollable and lasts long. In some sense anger is like fire; it is good for heat and light but it can get out of hand if left unchecked. Anger is good when it accomplishes its desired purpose of communicating to your offender that you are not impressed and he or she should stop the provocation. But when it becomes uncontrollable and it results in causing harm to the offender or victims it is viewed as a dangerous sin.

Uncontrollable anger compels one to do foolish, shameful and regrettable things. Proverbs denounces anger in many places. A good example is Proverbs 14:17 which says, ‘he that is soon angry deals foolishly.’

The wise king Solomon said, “Be not hasty in your spirit to be angry; for anger rests in the bosom of fools.”

When we read in the newspapers about people killing others and themselves owing to some misunderstanding or provocation, we should know that outbursts of anger resulted in that sin of murder. Such people did not intend to kill but they let uncontrollable anger make a field day with them. Like fear, uncontrollable anger also prevents one from acting responsibly. An angry man is not just a hungry man but also a dangerous man. Anger is easily turned into sin by the devil. This is why Paul says, “neither give place to the devil.”

Uncontrollable anger that lasts long is sure to cause irreparable damage because it gives room to the devil to wreak havoc using the offended party. The devil finds it difficult to tempt us if we do not give him a foothold but if we give in to anger we open the door for the devil.

Let us keep that door shut by delaying anger, being slow to wrath, ceasing from anger, giving soft answers, using discretion and knowledge in choosing our words and actions. Indeed the passive virtues of kindness, forgiveness, meekness, patience, longsuffering, tenderheartedness and forbearance are stronger, more noble and honourable than anger.

The soul that cultivates these passive virtues is the soul that escapes the dangers of anger.

– For spiritual help call 0712877180 or email mairos78@yahoo.co.uk