The Injustice Of Anger

James writes, "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires" (James 1:19-20, NIV). In general, a problem with anger is a more common struggle with men than with women. We have moments when we are displeased even angry but how we respond matters.

After his offering was not accepted, it matter how Cain responded to God who asked him was he was so angry (Genesis 4:6-7). God in His sovereign grace was giving Cain an opportunity to master the anger rather having it rule over him. In the end, Cain rose up and killed his brother.

Where I live they are constantly on the move and will not wait for people to cross the roads even if there is a walk light permitting it. On the way home, I watched as woman take the hand of a little boy and carefully walked across the street. While waiting, a car behind me beep the horn. I became angry and beeped my horn in return and leaned out of my window to see the driver while turning the car. Then I tapped my brakes deliberately as if to dig my heels into the ground. I turned to wife who was frowning, "I can't believe these drivers! Don't they see someone walking across the street? What do they want me to do run them over?"

My wife talked me off the edge with the truth as she spoke softly, "Honey, it's your pride not so much an injustice." I had to agree that I was in the wrong but the anger in my heart continue to simmer followed by a wave of regret for my childish actions.

Fleshly anger never produces life but only destruction. Anger can come in so many different forms, but the bottom line is anger is an attempt to justify one's action as being righteous. It's a righteousness that has nothing do with God's righteousness that always produces peace. We are never to right the wrongs done to us but leave it in the hands of God to vindicate us.

Cain never answered God's question but the apostle John gives this response: "Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous" (1 John 3:12, NIV).


“Even as the angry vengeful thoughts boiled through me, I saw the sin of them. Jesus Christ had died for this man; was I going to ask for more? Lord Jesus, I prayed, forgive me and help me to forgive him....Jesus, I cannot forgive him. Give me your forgiveness....And so I discovered that it is not on our forgiveness any more than on our goodness that the world's healing hinges, but on His. When He tells us to love our enemies, He gives along with the command, the love itself.”
― Corrie ten Boom, The Hiding Place