We may be indignant at evil, and appalled by some of the things that happen, things that injure and ruin lives. And when you see dreadful cases of betrayal or violence, there are grounds for a pure anger and indignation. The best anger of all, and we need more of this, is anger at ourselves and the things we do. But there is also sinful anger, which is utterly wrong: anger when we suffer inconvenience. I can’t control myself, so inconvenience makes me angry. Or maybe it is minor aggravations, a perceived loss of dignity or esteem. Somebody has not treated me as I think I ought to be treated, so I’m angry. Anger reveals other sins in us too. I’m contradicted and I can’t bear it; I’m so important, my view should be treated with more respect. Maybe a child has contradicted me, my teenage child, or some youngster, and I react in an angry, and even abusive way. It points to my pride and other warts of character. And then there is an accident, and somebody knocks something over; that child, that husband, that wife did not mean to do it, or it was done just through inexperience, but we are angry! It is a lack of self-control.
Even if your anger is justified, be careful you do not sin. Your anger may be justified. You are angry at something terrible that someone has done, or that has happened! Yes, but it becomes sinful anger if you retaliate; if you hurl insults, if you over-punish the child, if you use this event in order to spread gossip. Or if you brood or you become bitter and have an unforgiving spirit; these reactions make even reasonable indignation sinful and to be condemned. The apostle Paul gives one example here: ‘Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.’ You have had an indignation, but you are brooding and you are bitter, and you are not going to forget it or forgive it.