Fine Lines

The text for this Sunday I am preaching comes from Ephesians. "Be angry but do not sin," we are admonished. It tells us there is a point where anger is allowed, acceptable, perhaps even a good thing at times. And there is a point where anger has crossed into sin, where we have made room for the devil to use the writer's phrase. Where is that line? Sometimes, particularly when we come close to the edge of it, it is a fine line.

If I am going to be a bearer of God's grace in the world, I have to learn where that fine line is. I have to learn how to be angry, but not sin, not cross the line. The closer to home the issue that stirs the anger is, the harder it is to stay on this side of that line. If the source of anger is family -- threat to my family or a conflict within the family -- it is very hard to stay this side of the line. Dorothy was right, there is no place like home, especially when it comes to stirring the passions! First, knowing the source of the anger is important. Identify what is causing the anger in your life.

There is a time component built into the warning in Ephesians. "Don't let the sun go down on your anger." While an attempt to handle this literally -- take care of the conflict that day -- is ideal, the greater message here is that don't hold the anger and brood on it. Anger taken into the heart and entertained like a guest will eventually push any of us across the line. Entertaining anger in your heart makes room for another guest -- the devil.

Seek reconciliation quickly. Seek redress. If none is available turn to God and seek the redress there. Yell at God if need be. Let God know how angry you are. If you doubt that's acceptable, read a few of the psalms where the writers rail against God for all in the injustice in the world. In so doing we can stay this side of that fine line.

Do this as often as is necessary. Anger doesn't usually subside in one treatment if the hurt is deep. Let God know about the anger that remains and seek the Spirit's comfort in being angry but not sinning. Remember your anger is not the enemy. Your anger is part of what you are and part of who God loves.