Devotionals for the Heart: How to not sin when we are feeling angry

Be Angry and Do Not Sin
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

“Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.”

—Psalm 4:4 (ESV)

Anger is a normal human emotion and something even Jesus Christ experienced.

Therefore, anger itself is not the problem. The problem is what we do with it. Today, I would like to look at a few verses that can help us to be sure we are righteous in our anger and glorifying God through our response.

Ephesians 4:26-27 (ESV) quotes this passage directly before giving added instruction: “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” Hebrews 12:14-15 (ESV) urges us to “strive for peace with everyone,” and to see to it that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble.”

The Psalmist acknowledges our tendency to “ponder in our own hearts on our beds.” This is where we can work through emotions safely, but the Apostle Paul also warns us not to allow the sun go down on our anger. Sometimes, things need to be dealt with immediately.

I deal with unruly children regularly. Two of my children are going through very difficult and willful seasons of life. Both of them are easily (and frequently) angered. How can I teach them that their feelings are valid, but that the way they choose to express them often leads them into sin?

I can start by modeling self-control and a godly response to my own anger. Have I learned to prevent my anger from getting the best of me, or do I allow myself to say or do things I regret? Perhaps a better question to ask is this: Does my response make things worse?

James 1:20 (ESV) reminds us that “the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” If my response is borne purely out of anger, and not tempered by self-control and a desire to glorify God, I can rest assured I will not get the result I am hoping for: my child’s humble repentance and future obedience.

It is a balance many of us have a hard time mastering, and not just in family life. I once saw a man strongly criticize a produce worker at a grocery store because of the price of lettuce. Yet the employee does not determine the cost of the lettuce. They simply place the packages the pre-determined price label and are required to pay that price as well if they purchase it.

Yet it is in our more intimate relationships that we risk allowing a bitter root to grow. It can cause a constant state of agitation and hostility where no one can thrive. It may even cause physical illness. Proverbs 12:25 NKJV tells us, “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression.” Depression can manifest itself in many ways—from a pounding heart to chronic pain to digestive issues. There are many causes of depression but let us not allow our choice to hold onto anger be one of them!

If you are holding onto bitterness or anger, reach out to Jesus today. Seek godly counsel to learn ways to acknowledge feelings of anger without falling into sin or bitterness.

Let’s Pray: Dear Jesus, I acknowledge the ways I’ve allowed anger to lead me into sin. You know the details. I ask You to teach me how I can avoid this in the future. Lead me to texts in the Bible, or to a trusted counselor who will help me learn to make the right choices when I feel angry. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Look What You’ve Done” by Tasha Layton. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

The only child of a single parent, Aubrey Taylor filled her younger years by creating characters and writing stories. This ended around age sixteen when music, friends and part-time jobs began to fill her time. After that came college, work, marriage, and children. 

It wasn’t until the world was beginning to come out of the COVID pandemic that God led her back to her love for writing, coupled with a passion she’d always had for history. It was time to start a new adventure!

Along with writing devotionals, Aubrey is the author of the German-perspective 20th Century Fiction series, Gott Mit Uns. She lives in Upstate New York with her husband and three children. When she’s not writing or taking care of her home and family, she enjoys singing and dancing with friends from a German choir and a Bavarian folk dancing group. She is also a lover of Jesus Christ, The Holy Bible, history, German culture, tea, and cats!

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Connect with Aubrey:
Website: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com
Blog: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aubtaybooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21846520.Aubrey_Taylor
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/aubrey-taylor
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Aubrey-Taylor/author/B0973KWXV8