The anger within, the freedom of forgiveness
Ephesians 4:31-32
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
The Anger
When we are betrayed, disrespected, or hurt, our initial response can often be anger or even rage – and we’ll feel justified, especially if the offense is personal or particularly harsh. But human anger, unlike God’s righteous anger, often arises from human emotions like pride and impatience, and it can quickly lead to sin if left unchecked, as it gives the devil a foothold in our lives.
The apostle James reminds us that “human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” (James 1:19–20). While anger is natural, we are called to handle it with wisdom and control.
The biblical story of Cain and Abel offers a powerful warning. When Cain’s offering was not accepted, he became enraged. God saw his anger and warned him that if he did not do what was right, sin would be “crouching at your door; it desires to have you.” He also offered hope, saying, Cain could “rule over it” (Genesis 4:6–7).
But Cain ignored the Creator of the universe, and his anger led to the murder of his brother.
The Freedom
The antidote to anger is both powerful and simple: forgiveness.
The Bible commands us to forgive others because we were forgiven by God. In fact, Jesus taught that to receive forgiveness from God, we have to be willing to forgive others (Matthew 6:14–15). This is not an easy path. It requires humbling ourselves and letting go of our right to be angry or hold a grudge.
But that holding on to anger is insulting to God. Our anger leads to a desire for revenge or justice, and, in our impatience, we assume that we will handle that person or situation better than God can.
Remember: God is sovereign and just. When we or others suffer at the hands of evildoers, we are not to take matters into our own hands but to trust in God’s perfect and righteous judgment.
We have to be humble enough to accept God’s judgement, and to seek a heart that is set on forgiveness.
The story of Joseph and his brothers provides a remarkable example of biblical forgiveness (Genesis 45:4–8). After being sold into slavery by his jealous siblings, Joseph rose to a position of immense power. When his brothers came to Egypt years later, he had every opportunity to seek revenge. Instead, he chose forgiveness, acknowledging that God had used their evil for a greater good.
Joseph’s ability to forgive freed him from the bitterness that could have consumed him.
The Choice
Forgiveness is not the same as forgetting the hurt or excusing the offense. It is a decision to release the offender from the debt they owe you, and to trust God for justice and healing. This act of grace frees us from the spiritual, emotional, and physical bondage of bitterness and resentment.
When we choose to forgive, we make room for God’s peace to rule in our hearts, reflecting Christ’s love to the world.
Heavenly Father, we confess that we are often quick to become angry and slow to forgive. Forgive us for the times we have allowed anger to control our words and actions, hurting ourselves and those around us. Fill our hearts with Your supernatural ability to forgive, just as You have so lavishly forgiven us in Christ. Help us to release our hurts and trust in Your perfect justice. Help us to reject revenge and spite and malice, as we seek comfort in knowing that You have a plan. Replace our resentment with Your peace. Help us see the need in our offenders when they are lost and broken, and to seek their redemption with prayer and petition. In Jesus’ Name we pray, AMEN.
