The Webster Dictionary defines anger as a feeling of displeasure usually of antagonism. The definition of antagonism means a strong feeling of dislike or hatred; a desire to oppose something [(I would also add someone(s)] you disagree with. I have been here on earth for a little while now; far less than many, yet longer than some, and as I get older, I see people crash out over the simplest of issues. Some of this I see and read about on social media, and also in public places like the market, retail stores, restuarants, parks and even cruise lines.
Almost all of what I read about and see is ridiculous. I expect small children to whine when they cannot get their way, but adolescents, teenagers and adults? They should be ashamed of themeselves but they are not. In fact, the person who yells the loudest, cusses and fights the most is deemed the biggest and toughest on the block. Their unruly behavior is a badge of honor to them.
What their delinquent attitude reveals is that they are out of control and will not try to resolve their issues in a civil matter. These people also prove they have no peace and joy in their lives. If no one can sit a person like that down and try to reason with them, leave them alone - get far away from them! If they are unwilling to receive counsel from anyone, they will end up in an interrogation room or getting fired from the job very soon due to their angry out of control violent behavior.
How the Bible describes angry people
Proverbs 14:17 - A quick tempered man acts foolishly. and a man of wicked intentions is hated
Proverbs 22:24-25 - Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go, lest you learn his ways and get a snare for your soul
Proverbs 25:28 - Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls
Proverbs 26:24-25 - Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart
Proverbs 29:11 - A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back
Proverbs 14:12 & Proverbs 16:25 - There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death
Proverbs 21:9 & Proverbs 25:4 - It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife
Clearly the godless angry person is a fool. He or she must be avoided at all times. They have no discretion or decorum. Their disposition is constipated. These people are from all walks of life; from the out house to the white house. The one thing all of them have in common, they are devoid of God's Spirit; they are children of their father the devil (John 8:44).
Being children of Satan is never an excuse for bad behavior though. You know why? We all know when we have done or right or wrong. The conscience is a built in faculty and awareness system the Lord has placed in all of us to excuse us when we do what is right, or accuse us when we do wrong. No one has an excuse for their wickedness.
The devil did not make you do it.
Believe it or not, God commands us in some situations to be angry. We are to be angry over sin and unrighteousness; not just other peoples sins, but our own as well.
An example of when we should be angry at sin is in 1 Corinthians 5.
Paul finds out that a man is having sexual relations with his father's wife, his step mother, in the church! Paul is appalled because he said this type of thing is not even happening upon the heathen. The Corinthians were promoting and celebrating incest. Paul told them you should be sorrowful over this but you are not (vs. 2). Paul commands them to put that immoral person out of the church assembly for they are corrupt and their sinful ways are contaminating the house of the Lord.
Read the entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 5 for full context.
Do we not see this every year in June during Gay Pride Month? The LGBTQIA+ community celebrate their perversions along with their supporters. The footage of these celebrations are modern day Sodom and Gommorah. These are the things we as believers should be sorrowful about but many are not because they love their sin and the sin of others. Some of their family members and friends are part of the community so they have a soft spot for the lifestyle. Society tells us it is not loving to not support those who want to express unnatural affection sexually. Because of this toxic empathy for sin, biological men - transgender women; sexual predators are playing in women's sports, going to women's bathrooms and dressing rooms with your daughters, sisters, mothers and wives.
Why is there no outrage for this?
Because people love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil (John 3:19).
The basis of one's anger reveals their character. What is on the inside of us will eventually manifest itself through our actions. Jesus said out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34). This manifestation is both good and evil.
If one has a pathology of uncontrolled rage over nothing, that person is immature and need to grow up. Accept the fact that everything will not go your way, and people will always say things you do not like. Often times many people make themselves victims of something they heard - that had nothing to do with them and their anger is manufactured and not real. They just want pity and to be pacified.
Realize life is hard and can be merciless at times. Solomon provides this wisdom, "If you fall in the day of adversity your strength is small" (Proverbs 24:10). What that tells me is that we need to develop our strength so that we stand in the tough times.
Anger is not evil if it is outrage against unrighteousness. It is holy and good if we are angry for the Lord's sake. The Bible commands us to be angry and not sin (Ephesians 4:26). Examine carefully what you are angry about and where it may lead you - to glory and praise from God, or to shame and disgrace.
Have I become your enemy because I tell you the truth?
- Galatians 4:16