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THE EXPIRY TIME FOR ANGER  

Anger is the strong emotion that a person feels when another person or group of people have behaved in an unfair, cruel or unacceptable way. Anger is usually characterised by a feeling of revenge, retaliation and aggression. It takes some people hours, days, months and even years depending on the gravity of the issue to overcome anger.  

It is important to note that forgiveness is impossible when anger is present. The more a person lives with anger, the more it becomes difficult for him or her to forgive the person who offended him or her. The first and foremost step towards forgiveness is overcoming anger.  

Anger has caused more harm than good in the lives of people. Anger has been the cause of tribal and civil wars, the root cause of most marital divorce is unresolved anger, anger is the reason for which some Christians have stopped attending church services, anger has caused some parents to disown their biological children, some people are in prison because of unmanaged anger and some people have lost their jobs because of uncontrolled anger. Anger is a form of emotional cancer which all human beings must guard against.  

There is a Scripture text that sets a limit on how far a believer can live with anger. In other words, the Bible places an expiry time on anger.  At the end of reading this article, I want you to critically meditate on the Scripture text we are about to reflect on, make it part of your principles and free yourself from the devastative effect of anger. 

Apostle Paul admonishes the Ephesians in Ephesians 4:26 that “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry”. What is the implication of this Scripture text?  

The first implication is that it is very possible and most likely that anger will lead you to sin therefore when you are angry be careful not to do the forbidden. How can you be careful when you are practically and obviously “mad’ at someone? My dear friend, the first and foremost step a believer must take when he or she falls into temptation is to pray for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to overcome the said temptation. Most often than not, when we get angry, the first thing we do is to retaliate and the last thing which comes to mind and which we mostly forget to do is to pray for self-control and perseverance to endure the temptation of anger.  Jesus promised us that “If you love me, keep my commands.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever- the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:15-17).  Always remember that the Holy Spirit is your “advocate” and “Helper” in every situation including situations of anger. When you get angry pray for the power or strength to overcome the temptation to sin against God and your neighbour.  

The second implication which is the focus of this article is that no matter the time in the day you become angry, by the time the sun disappears your anger must evaporate into the air! Interesting, isn’t it? Christians or believers must take Ephesians 4:26 serious if we want a peaceful world. What it means practically is that, Mary may get angry at 5:00 am in the morning at her husband, John may get angry at his boss at 12 noon, Andrew and Elizabeth may become angry at each other at 3pm in the afternoon, depending on whether we have longer days or not by the time the sun goes down or disappears from the sky all the foregoing persons mentioned should let go of the anger which they have lived with at different times of the day. It again means regardless of whatever might have transpired in the morning or afternoon for which you got angry at someone, you must let go of that anger by 6:00 pm in the evening. Usually by 6:00 pm the sun goes down or what we experience as the sunset.  

The instruction “do not let the sun go down while you are still angry” is a compelling instruction. It is not an option but a Biblical imperative. It is meant to humble us and question our sense of pride especially when we feel we have to be appeased because we have been angered. In other words, no matter how angry you are, you must deal with it as a believer, forgive the offender and seek reconciliation. Remember that overcoming your anger by sunset is not tied to the remorse shown by the offender. Whether the person who offended or got you angry shows remorse or not, as a faithful disciple of Christ “do not let the sun go down while you are still angry” 

The instruction “do not let the sun go down while you are still angry” is actually for those who hold onto anger for a long time within the day. It does not apply to believers who are able to acknowledge their anger, deal with it and find it worthy to let it go and forgive their offenders.  The instruction is for those who find it difficult to let go of anger and continue to hold on to grudges. The sunset becomes the last stop for how far anger can linger on in a believer.

I need you to pause and reflect on these questions. Are you angry at someone? How long have you been angry at this person or people? Do you easily get angry and how soon do you let go of the issue? Having reflected on Ephesians 4:26 do you have a new understanding of anger management as a child of God? What then is your resolution?  

In conclusion, my dear friend in the Lord, be angry because anger will surely come one way or the other but pray for the empowerment and guidance from the Holy Spirit and always remember your Scriptures so that you do not sin. Although you might not sin, anger could still linger in your heart therefore “do not let the sun go down while you are still angry”. May the Lord continue to grant us the fortitude to overcome the temptations of anger so that His will shall always remain done in our lives. Shalom.  

Rev. Jean-Paul Agidi.