Anger Doesn't Always Lead To Sin

Mark 3:5 “Jesus was angry as He looked around at them, but at the same time He felt sorry for them, because they were so stubborn and wrong.”

The Pharisees were “looking” for Jesus to do something they could use as fuel to get rid of Him. The Sabbath is a day of rest that the Pharisees took to the extreme. Jesus was asking if the law permits to do good deeds or evil ones? If that day is to save a life or to destroy it? They were so set on finding a reason to get rid of Jesus, that they didn’t say a word to answer Him. Verse 5 struck me in that something I think for MANY years, thought was a sin, and therefore avoided it at all costs. Anger. Anger itself is not sin – but how or what we do with that anger, yes, can become sin. That Jesus looked at them angrily and yet was deeply saddened by their hearts, drove Him to do good and save a man – on the Sabbath.

Being angry is not a sin. Using that anger to fuel sinful actions and behaviors – THAT IS a sin. Example of it here and now: we leave to run errands and need to leave the dog in the house for this short run. When we come back, the dog has gotten into things and eaten things he should not have. Actually eating things that were for special diet needs of others. Angry? Yes! Frustrated at the mess to clean up? YES! Used a voice that conveyed hurt, frustration, anger, and sadness? You betcha! Even though the dog doesn’t really understand our words all of the way, I believe he did understand the emotions and feelings. We promptly removed him from the “pleasure” of being able to play and see what was going on with the kids. Used a VERY stern voice in verbally expressing our shock. However, we did not use curse words, hit or beat him, or even shame him verbally with our words or tone. Instead, he had a consequences of being removed from the ‘fun’ AND he got an upset tummy from what he ate. Yes, anger in this situation happened. But sin did not. The sadness of what was lost, the expense to replace it, and the KNOWING the dog was soon going to pay the price for eating what he did caused the inner sadness towards him. Plus, because he is a dog, and he was doing what his instincts drove him to – it was just sad.

I believe God looks at us this way SO many times!! We are given choices each and every day to do good. To help others. To save lives. Yet, we run about doing our own thing all comfy like, and I am sure we make Him angry at our choices and actions, a lot. However, in His righteous anger, even when we are full-out in the middle of sin – God still loves us, and is working through the Holy Spirit to get us back on track. When we “fall off the wagon” of some sin that we keep trying to conquer, Jesus is right there lovingly waiting to help us be victorious over it. His heart is towards us and our good. He wants us healed, just as we do. Even when we have to face the consequences of our actions, He is right there alongside of us.

I believe God does get angry at things we choose to do, especially when we go head-first right into sin. But His anger leads to compassion. Oh true, we also suffer the repercussions from our choices, but those consequences do not bring joy to God or make Him laugh or feel good – it causes Him sadness. He sees our hearts. Knowing we truly DO want to please Him, yet keep failing miserably. Even sections of our heart that are hardened, He is right there with a chisel in hand, to help break the walls down and free us from being stuck in that.

The MEF (minds eye flash) that just happened: seeing someone angry, yelling, getting out of control shows up all around them like a cloud of color. Redish-gray in color. Floating around them but not actually next to them. The color next to them is like a blue-green. It has a feeling of sadness and a chill to it. Underneath that, right next to their body, real close, is a sort of orange like color that has a feeling of hurt with it. The outer colors are like a wall trying to hide the true feelings of this person, yet, if we truly have eyes to see and ears to hear - we can 'feel' it all around them. 

Today, when things happen and people make choices that go against what “we” feel is good and right… things that may cause us to get angry – we need to NOT sin in it. Pray. Quickly reach up and grasp the hand of Jesus and ask for His Holy Spirit to put a hand over our mouth or hands to hold us back – from doing or saying something in anger that leads to sin. Yup, this is a new practice for some, I am sure – but it is something we CAN do. Use your “Bat Phone” and call 911 the instant you feel anger coming on. Ephesians 4:26 tells us "Be angry, but do not sin." Even if it is while you are driving – talk to Jesus BEFORE you get in your car. Don’t just pray for a ‘safe trip/travels’ but pray for the Holy Spirit to keep you from sinning in anger. START your car travels with this type of prayer. Then praise God for the moments when you get angry and yet don’t sin in them! THAT is victory in Jesus!! Yes it is! Anger doesn't always lead to sin, but when it does: we need to be quick to recognize it, confess it to God, and ask for Jesus to forgive us. Then ask for the help, guidance, and wisdom of the Holy Spirit of how to handle it. I’m praying for you today. Pray for me as well. I'm praying for the "colors" to be exposed and then an answer to those colors to be revealed. Be safe, be well, and BE blessed beyond your wildest dreams!