Can Anger Be Justified in Some Cases?

Q: Is it true that anger can be justified in some cases; if so, is there a good example in the culture today? — A.J.

A: When we see children abused, we should speak out and pray that righteous anger will lead to solutions to protect the helpless.

We must be careful, however, that our anger is not a cover for lovelessness or self-righteousness. Anger and bitterness (as well as hatred, jealousy, and resentment) aren’t identical, but they are closely related. Bitterness is anger gone sour, an attitude of deep discontent that poisons our souls and destroys our peace.

God’s anger is always just. Even His anger is righteous, because it is directed solely against evil. Jesus forcefully drove out from the temple those who were callously making money (Matthew 21:12-13).

Peter’s anger was channeled into boldness for Christ. Paul’s anger against Christians was replaced with a burning passion to spread the Gospel. Our goal should be to reflect Christ in all that we do. As Christians we have an obligation to show others what God says about being responsible for our moral actions, as God defines them. We must never think that we can solve one moral crisis by condoning another.

While we strive to live as Jesus would have us live, He will help us direct our emotions. The heart is the center of our emotions and the seat of decisive action. Our emotions can lie to us, and we need to check our emotions against the Word of God. His truth does not differ from one age to another, from one people to another, or from one geographical location to another. His great all-prevailing truth stands for time and eternity.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

(c)2019 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.