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Key Bible Verse: In your anger do not sin (Ephesians 4:26, NIV). Bonus Reading: Ephesians 4:25-27

Sometimes, the New Testament admits, anger is real, natural, and inevitable. By beginning Ephesians 4:26 with "in your anger," the apostle Paul tells us that the mere presence of anger isn't sinful; what we do with it can become sin. It's possible to express the emotion of anger in unharmful, unsinful ways.

It's no sin to say to someone, "I'm really angry at you. I wish you wouldn't have said what you did to me. That really hurt my feelings." It would be sin to add, "You stupid jerk!"

It's no sin to say, "I'm frustrated right now. I asked you to send me that package, but you still haven't done so. That's caused me some problems, and I'm angry at you right now." It would be sin to add, "The next time I see you, I'm going to punch your lights out!"

Paul gives the conditions [in Ephesians 4:25-27] under which anger management is more likely. A firm commitment to truthfulness in all our relationships will keep us from denying the reality of our anger by saying things like "I'm fine." When conflicts must be resolved, silence isn't golden. Anger must be admitted and handled (before the sun goes down) or we give a foothold to the Devil that he'll use to create further havoc.

—Randy Newman in Questioning Evangelism

My Response: When has my silence given the Devil a foothold?

Thought to Apply: He best keeps from anger who remembers that God is always looking upon him.—PLATO (Greek philosopher)

Adapted from Questioning Evangelism (Kregel, 2004) by permission.

Copyright © 2006 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Lord, when my anger is out of control, Your Spirit isn't in charge. I ask for Your help in governing my temper.

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