‘Righteous Anger’ in Ephesians

What is righteous anger? There is a great example of how to have righteous anger in Ephesians 4:26 Paul writes: Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Several verses later  in verse 31 is an example of unrighteous anger. This anger doesn’t come from the Word. It is self-centered.

Anger can be justified when something violates the Word.  There are many examples of this throughout the Word. By looking at Psalm 4 we can find the proper way of handling righteous anger.

1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness (uprightness, justice, and right standing with You)! You have freed me when I was hemmed in and enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me and hear my prayer.

2 O you sons of men, how long will you turn my honor and glory into shame? How long will you love vanity and futility and seek after lies? Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

3 But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself [and given distinction to] him who is godly [the man of loving-kindness]. The Lord listens and heeds when I call to Him.

4 Be angry [or stand in awe] and sin not; commune with your own hearts upon your beds and be silent (sorry for the things you say in your hearts). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

5 Offer just and right sacrifices; trust (lean on and be confident) in the Lord.

6 Many say, Oh, that we might see some good! Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord.

7 You have put more joy and rejoicing in my heart than [they know] when their wheat and new wine have yielded abundantly.

8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust. (Amplified)

Jesus Christ must have had righteous anger when he dealt with the moneychangers in the temple.  Paul had righteous anger when he addressed the Galatians. At night when they laid their head on the pillow they didn’t fret or stew but gave it to God. Their fellowship was sweet and so was their sleep as they leaned on the sufficiency of trusting God.