Anger as a means to Holiness

We tend to avoid anger like it's some sort of plague. We have been trained that anger is wrong and that it has no place in the Christian life. If this is true, "reductio ad absurdum" would suggest that Jesus would not be much of a Christian. "Making a whip of cords, [Jesus] drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables." (John 2:15) Also, God the Father would not be much of a Christian either. "And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, and when the Lord heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp" (Numbers 11:1). Our standards ought never to be higher than God's standards. There is clearly a place for anger in the Christian life. In fact, I would venture to argue that anger is commanded.  

"Be angry and do not sin" - Ephesians 4:25

Now I need to be careful because I know that I walk a very thin line when I suggest that anger is commanded. What I do not suggest is a type of selfish and unrighteous anger. On the contrary, the anger that I am referring to is both holy and sanctifying. Yes! Anger is essential in your sanctification! I believe that the apostle Paul is communicating something very important. He is communicating that there are some areas of your life that in order to "not sin" you must "be angry". As a Christian, some things need to incite hositility in you. Some things need to make your heart beat fast and your fists clench. Some things need to make you grind your teeth. Namely, sin. The mastermind behind sin is Satan. Jesus describes him as a "thief who comes only to steal, kill and destroy" (John 10:10). Or in other words, Satan desires to sever you from Christ. He desires to steal your joy, kill your passion and destroy your hope. The proper response to this is righteous anger.

In 1775, America was engaged in a war for freedom. Facing Great Britain, victory was an unlikely outcome. However, America used a certain tactic called, “guerrilla warfare”. This proved to be effective against the British soldiers. Americans hid in bushes and ambushed the unsuspecting British soldiers. As a result, America won the war and gained freedom after being in bondage to Great Britain. In the same way, Satan desires to keep you in bondage. The only way to gain freedom is to engage in what I call, “guerilla spiritual-warfare”. Your sin doesn’t fight fair and neither should you! Ambush it, choke it, starve it, kick it while it’s down! Whatever you do, don't compromise with it. Don't play with it. It's not playing with you! It has an ulterior motive: steal, kill and destroy. Do not be fooled. Satan's mission statement is, "To steal, kill and destroy". He is desperately trying to woo you away from Christ. Every temptation to lust, boast, gossip, or seek approval are all subtle attempts to steal your joy, kill your passion and destroy your soul. We need to be angered by this and engage in guerilla spiritual-warfare. 

With that being said, I would like to affirm that while we should be angry, we should not be afraid. The battle is already won. Jesus has won the war by conquering sin and death on the cross. His resurrection has sealed his triumph over evil. Therefore, since Jesus has won the war, it is now our responsibility to fight for joy. Joy in the Christian life does not come easy. It is hard work. It involves intentionality. It involves much prayer, and finally, it involves hostility. John Owens writes, "Strength and vigor in the Christian life depends much on the mortification of sin." Anger is a pre-requisite to joy. Your sanctification depends on guerrilla spiritual-warfare. I pray that you would be angered by evil and in so doing, increase your delight in God!

"He who calls you is faithful, he will surely do it."