Be Angry, yet do not sin

Anger is one of the most misunderstood emotions. Many of us have been taught that anger is wrong—that good people don’t get angry. Yet, in Ephesians 4:26, Paul commands: “Be angry, yet do not sin.” This makes it clear that anger itself is not inherently sinful; rather, it is how we respond to it that matters. In fact, failing to be angry at injustice and wrongdoing can be sinful, as it reflects indifference to the suffering and injustice that grieve the heart of God.

So how do we navigate this tension? How can we distinguish between righteous and sinful anger? More importantly, how can we learn to deal with anger in a way that aligns with Jesus’ example?

In this blog, we will focus on anger as described in Ephesians 4: what it means to be angry without sinning, how to cultivate righteous anger that leads to justice and restoration, and how to reject sinful anger that gives the devil a foothold. By understanding the biblical approach to anger, we can learn to respond in a way that honours and reflects Christ, and strengthens our relationships.

Understanding the Root of Anger

Anger is always a defense mechanism, whether against injustice, personal offense, or frustration. Therefore, the first step in managing our anger is to ask: What am I defending? And what am I attacking?

• If anger arises from selfishness, wounded pride, or a desire for control, it is likely sinful.

• If anger is a response to true injustice, directed at problems rather than people, it may be righteous.

However, even when our anger is justified, we must still handle it carefully. Feelings themselves are not sinful, but they can quickly become sin when left unchecked. Just as hatred is anger gone bad, bitterness is unresolved anger that poisons the soul.

The Balance Between Righteous and Sinful Anger

God gets angry. Mark 3:5 describes Jesus looking at the Pharisees with anger at their hardened hearts. We also see God’s righteous anger in Exodus 32:10, when the Israelites created and worshipped the golden calf. Despite all that God had done for them, they turned to idolatry, provoking His anger. Yet, even in His wrath, God was merciful; when Moses interceded, God relented and did not destroy them. His anger was not reckless; it was just, measured, and always intertwined with His mercy.

Martin Luther King Jr. modeled this well, being aggressive against the problem but never against people. He channeled his anger into nonviolent resistance, advocating for justice without resorting to hatred or violence. In his speeches and writings, he emphasized that his fight was against systemic racism and oppression, not individuals. Even when faced with brutality and injustice, he refused to let anger turn into bitterness, instead using it as fuel to inspire change through peaceful protest, dialogue, and love.

In contrast, sinful anger often leads to bitterness, revenge, or destruction. This is why Ephesians 4:31 commands: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” Sinful anger doesn’t just affect us; it gives the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:27). Unresolved anger, when nursed instead of surrendered to God, becomes a gateway for the enemy to work in our relationships, poisoning our hearts and distancing us from God’s peace.

Why We Must Let Go of Sinful Anger

1. Anger contradicts Christ’s forgiveness: When we hold onto anger, we forget the mercy we’ve received. Jesus teaches us to forgive as He has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32). An unforgiving heart is often an unforgiven heart because it either doesn’t believe in grace or is too prideful to accept it.

   
   

2. Anger hardens our hearts: A hardened heart is a dangerous place to be. It keeps us from hearing God’s voice. Isaiah 59:2 warns that sin separates us from God. Over time, unresolved anger leads to spiritual insensitivity—where God seems silent, not because He has left us, but because we have moved too far away to listen.

   
   

3. Anger distorts our view of ourselves and others: When we stay angry, we begin seeing everything through a lens of offense. We justify our bitterness, convince ourselves we are righteous, and start wishing harm on others. But God’s anger is different: He hates sin but desires the sinner’s redemption. “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live” (Ezekiel 33:11).

   
   

Putting Off Anger and Putting On Grace

Christianity is an ongoing process of transformation: it’s putting off the old self and putting on the new (Ephesians 4:22-24). We are called to actively rid ourselves of bitterness, rather than tolerating it.

• Cool down and repent. Recognizing when anger is sinful and bringing it before God.

  
  

• Pray for those who have offended us. We cannot hate someone we are genuinely praying for.

  
  

• Forgive as Christ forgave us. This does not mean excusing sin but releasing our right to vengeance.

The Hard Road of Obedience

Paul’s command to “Be angry, yet do not sin” (Ephesians 4:26) reminds us that anger requires discipline. Although obedience is hard, disobedience can be absolutely devastating.

Many of us, instead of addressing our anger, fall into despair. We often suppress our feelings, believing that “good people” shouldn’t get upset. But the Bible never calls us to ignore anger; it calls us to deal with it the right way. History has shown that anger, when directed toward injustice, can drive positive change. Martin Luther King Jr. used righteous anger not to attack people, but to fight against oppression, leading movements of peace and justice. In the same way, we are called to be aggressive against the problem, not the person.

Let’s always ask ourselves tough questions. Are we holding onto sinful anger? Are we defending ourselves instead of defending righteousness? Jesus offers a better way. Let us bring our anger to Him, lay it down, and choose grace. As we do, we will find freedom.