What do you get angry about? Or are you the type of person who never gets angry?

I used to think that being a Christian means never getting angry. I thought anger was a sin, lack of self-control, and therefore when we get angry, we are sinning.

But reading this morning’s passage (Ps. 10), I realize that being godly means becoming angry at certain times. For example, we should become angry about injustice.

Ps. 10:12, “Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless. Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, “He won’t call me to account?”

The psalmist here is asking God to act on behalf of the oppressed AGAINST the oppressors.

Most of the time, we pray FOR and care FOR the poor, oppressed, hungry, etc. But do we pray AGAINST those who promote sin and bring injustice?

We should pray against lawyers who defend the guilty (Not all lawyers do this of course!).
We should pray against doctors who perform abortion (The unborn are the epitome of the helpless).
We should pray against pastors and preaches who preach morality and thus put heavy burden on the people.
We should pray against corrupt politicians and organizations that will exploit the poor and the needy.

I said, “PRAY” against, but not to take it upon ourselves to harm them physically! What we are really doing as we are praying against their practices is praying FOR the oppressed and the poor.

There is time for anger. When we see the poor and the oppressed mistreated, we should become angry because God becomes angry!

But remember this principle: When injustice is done to the poor and the needy, we rightly become angry and defend them. But when injustice is done to us, we bear it with patience.

That’s exactly how Jesus acted. He was angry at those who used the temple for their own monetary gain. He was angry with the religious leaders who put heavy burdens on the people. But when injustice was done to Himself (the cross), He bore it with patience…

May you be like Christ in your temperament.

PH