Sermon on Anger: Transforming into Righteous Action Ephesians 4:26–27

"Transforming Anger into Righteous Action"

The complex and often misunderstood emotion of anger. In this sermon, we will consider Ephesians 4:26, which urges us to "Be angry, but do not sin." We will examine the dangers of uncontrolled anger, the wisdom found in responding with gentleness, Jesus' teachings on anger, and the essential role of forgiveness in managing and transforming this powerful emotion.

Instructions for the New Me

Put aside falsehood; speak the truth (Ephesians 4:25).
Do not sin in your anger (Ephesians 4:26).
Do not let any hurtful words come out of your mouth; edify (Ephesians 4:29).
It does not grieve the Holy Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30).
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you; be kind and merciful (Ephesians 4:31-32)

-- Ads --

I. WHAT IS ANGER?

A. Definition Anger is an intense emotion of displeasure or indignation. It is a God-given emotion, meant to alert us to wrong, but because of our nature, it must be strictly governed.

B. Biblical Terminology The Greeks used two main words for anger that help us understand its nature:

1. Thumos: This is the "boiling point." It refers to a sudden outburst of fury, like a flame that flares up quickly.

2. Orge: This is a more settled, long-lived anger. It is an internal indignation that can smolder over time.

C. The Fruits of Uncontrolled Anger When anger is not governed by the Spirit, it leads to verbal or physical violence, pride, selfishness, and a deep root of bitterness that seeks revenge.

II. WHY DO WE GET ANGRY?

Anger usually reveals the idols of our hearts. We get angry when:

• Things do not go our way (a desire for control).

• We feel rejected or mistreated.

• Our expectations are not met.

• We experience injustice or frustration.

• We compare ourselves to others and feel cheated.

• We lack Self-Control, allowing our emotions to sit on the throne of our lives.

III. HOW SINFUL ANGER MANIFESTS

The Bible gives us clear examples of anger gone wrong:

• Jealousy: King Saul’s anger against David was rooted in envy (1 Sam. 18), just as the Pharisees' anger against Jesus was rooted in their loss of status (Luke 4:28).

• Offensive Speech: Anger often spills out as "corrupt word" or "clamor" (Eph. 4:29, 31). Jesus warned that calling a brother a fool in anger puts one in danger of judgment (Matt. 5:22).

• Extreme Violence: The first murder in history, committed by Cain, was fueled by an angry, fallen countenance (Gen. 4).

IV. IS ANGER ALWAYS SINFUL?

A. Not Necessarily Ephesians 4:26 proves that it is possible to be angry without sinning. The Psalmist says, "Tremble [be angry], and do not sin" (Psalm 4:4).

B. Righteous Indignation We see "Holy Anger" in Scripture:

• Moses when he saw the golden calf (Ex. 32).

• Jesus when He saw the hardness of hearts in the synagogue (Mark 3:5).

• God Himself is a righteous judge who feels indignation every day (Psalm 7:11).

C. The Focus of Righteous Anger We should be angry at sin in society, injustice against the weak, and the presence of sin within our own hearts and congregations. Righteous anger seeks to fix a problem; sinful anger seeks to hurt a person.

V. WHEN DOES ANGER BECOME SIN?

Anger crosses the line into sin when:

1. It is an "Obra de la Carne" (Work of the Flesh) (Gal. 5:20).

2. It produces harmful words or "unwholesome talk."

3. It is rooted in pride, jealousy, or ego.

4. It is out of control (James 1:19–20).

5. It turns into Bitterness (Eph. 4:31).

6. It is prolonged: Letting the sun go down on your anger provides a foothold for Satan (Eph. 4:27).

Ephesians 4:31-32 highlights the role of forgiveness in managing anger: "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling, and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Forgiveness is a powerful antidote to anger, allowing us to let go of grudges and find healing in Christ's example of forgiveness.

VI. HOW TO MANAGE SINFUL ANGER

A. Recognize it as Sin: Don't call it "just my personality." Call it what God calls it. B. Be Slow to Speak: "Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (James 1:19). A soft answer turns away wrath (Prov. 15:1). C. Practice Self-Control: This is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23). He who rules his spirit is better than he who takes a city (Prov. 16:32). D. Respond with Good: Do not overcome evil with evil, but overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:17–21). E. Practice Immediate Forgiveness: Forgive as Christ forgave you (Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13).

VII. "Be Angry, But Do Not Sin" (Ephesians 4:26)

Ephesians 4:26 provides us with a clear directive: it's acceptable to feel anger, but it comes with a significant caveat—do not sin in your anger. This verse acknowledges the reality of human emotions, including anger, but also stresses the importance of managing this emotion in a righteous way. Our anger should never lead us into sin but should instead serve as a catalyst for righteous action.

A. Moses was angry with Pharaoh. Ex. 11:8.
B. Moses was angry because of the people's idolatry. Ex. 32:19.
C. Nehemiah was angry because of their mistreatment of the poor. Neh. 5:1-8.
D. Jesus was angry because of the Pharisees' hard hearts. Mark 3:5.
E. Paul was angry about idols. Acts 17:16.
F. Be angry, but do not sin. Eph. 4:26.

VIII. The Danger of Uncontrolled Anger (Proverbs 29:22)

Proverbs 29:22 warns us of the danger of uncontrolled anger, stating that a person with a hot temper stirs up conflict. Unchecked anger can lead to harm, division, and lasting damage to relationships. It is crucial to recognize the consequences of uncontrolled anger and take steps to prevent it from taking root in our hearts.

A. Let not the sun go down on your anger. Eph. 4:26.
B. Christians must put away anger. Eph. 4:31.
C. We must put away anger from the heart. Col. 3:8.
D. We must leave anger to God. Rom. 12:19.
E. We must not be easily angered. James 1:19.
F. We must pray without anger. I Tim. 2:8.
G. We must not be angry with the brothers. Matt. 5:22.

-- Ads --

IX. "A Gentle Answer Turns Away from Wrath" (Proverbs 15:1)

In Proverbs 15:1, we find a beautiful piece of wisdom: "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." This verse highlights the transformative power of gentleness in responding to anger. It encourages us to choose our words carefully, as a gentle response can defuse anger and lead to reconciliation.

X. Jesus' Exhortation on Anger (Matthew 5:22)

In Matthew 5:22, Jesus provides a profound teaching on anger, stating that anyone who says, "You fool!" will be in danger of the fire of hell. He emphasizes that our attitudes and words matter greatly, and anger should be addressed swiftly and with love. Jesus calls us to reconcile with others before offering our gifts at the altar, underscoring the importance of addressing anger in our hearts.

Sermon on Anger: Transforming into Righteous Action

Conclusion:

Anger is a natural emotion, but how we respond to it makes all the difference. Ephesians 4:26 reminds us that while anger may arise, we must not allow it to lead us into sin. Instead, we can transform anger into righteous action, responding with gentleness and seeking reconciliation. As we contemplate Proverbs 29:22, Proverbs 15:1, and Matthew 5:22, let us be mindful of the impact of our words and attitudes when dealing with anger.

Above all, may we remember the essential role of forgiveness, as outlined in Ephesians 4:31-32, in managing and healing our anger. By forgiving as Christ forgave us, we can find peace, reconciliation, and a path forward from the darkness of anger to the light of grace.

👉 5 Books on preaching for your improvement, Get it!