“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” (Proverbs 16:32)
Anger is sometimes called for. It is the right reaction in the face of wrong. To not be angry at violence, oppression, or injustice means there is no fear of God before our eyes. Paul could say: “Who is offended, and I burn not?” (2 Cor. 11:29)
But the sudden rise of anger in our heart, no matter how hot or justified, should never burst forth in untempered words and actions. The reaction may be right, but the response wrong. God Himself is slow to wrath and calls us to the same. We are to “be angry” and “sin not” (Eph. 4:26). The existence of anger in our spirit is not a work of the flesh; but to let it explode or simmer and spew forth with a torrent of unwise words is carnal and works nothing but more evil.
Our anger must be brought to God before it is unleashed on man. God must tell us what to do with the anger we feel. Do we need to channel it in a productive way? Do we need to let it go entirely? Only with God’s counsel and direction will anger not master us. Instead of being our undoing, God can use the anger we feel to teach us and others many good things.
The temptation in anger is to look for a quick fix. We see a problem and want to straighten it out immediately. But all too often our hastiness of spirit only creates a bigger mess. Nobody really needs us to speak our mind. People do need to hear from God. Even when angry, be patient enough to let Him form in you the right response. Anger may “win” battles; but patience wins wars.