“Anger is not a sin. Mismanaging it is.”

A thought by Jentezen Franklin from his book, Love Like You've Never Been Hurt: Hope, Healing and the Power of an Open Heart (p. 98). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) 

Anger can be a real problem especially if you are ruled by it.

Jentezen says, “We have all been there to some degree. It is normal to get angry and to want to do something about it. But we cannot position ourselves to love like we’ve never been hurt if we are ruled by our tempers.

“Ephesians 4:26 tells us, ‘And “‘don’t sin by letting anger control you.’” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry.’ Anger is not a sin. Mismanaging it is.”

He goes on, “The next verse warns, ‘For anger gives a foothold to the devil.’ When we hold on to anger, when we nurture it, when we harp on it, when we think about it and dream about it, we give a place to the devil. The Greek word translated ‘place’ or ‘foothold’ is topos, which means ‘opportunity.’ It is also where we get the English word topography.

“When we live with unresolved anger, the enemy gains ground in our hearts. We give the enemy authority. Just as the devil thrives in division, he also works well in an environment of anger. ‘For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work’ (James 3:16 KJV).

So Jentezen says, “Do not give the enemy any territory to set up camp. Anger falls one letter short of danger. The best cure to manage your anger is delay. ‘He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty’ (Proverbs 16:32 NKJV).”

Later he asks, “How many times have you opened your mouth and caused destruction with the words that flew out? Maybe you cussed someone out, and in the same moment that first word slipped out, you knew it was wrong. Maybe you shouted hurtful remarks that long strained what was once a great friendship. Maybe you berated a loved one without any measure of self-control, and it scarred her sense of self.

“Next time you are tempted to go to that place, be quiet...”

And that is a good thing to do, isn’t it?

Yes, yes!