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Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

Be Angry and Do Not Sin (Ephesians 4:26, 27)

Bryan Schneider · July 18, 2020

Ephesians 4:26-27

sharonrpc.org/sermons/be-angry-and-do-not-sin

Summary

  • Scripture recognizes righteous anger: God hates sin, Jesus zealously cleansed the temple, and believers should oppose injustice and their own sin.
  • Righteous anger is directed by God's holiness, while sinful anger is petty, proud, impulsive, contentious, and personally vindictive.
  • Proverbs repeatedly associates uncontrolled wrath and quarrelling with folly and commends restraint, soft answers, and slowness to anger.
  • When another person sins, believers should either cover a non-sinful offense in love, address sin directly according to Christ's instruction, or involve civil authorities where criminal conduct requires it.
  • Anger must be resolved without delay because sleeping on it deepens bitterness, damages relationships, and gives the devil an opportunity.
  • The answer to sinful anger is not passivity but Spirit-produced patience, peace, kindness, love, forgiveness, and trust that vengeance belongs to God.

Reflection and discussion

  • Is my present anger concerned with God's holiness and another person's good, or with my pride and preferences?
  • Am I as troubled by sin in my own heart as I am by public sins around me?
  • What pattern of impulsiveness, harsh speech, or quarrelling does Proverbs expose in me?
  • Is this matter a personal irritation to cover in love, a sin to address directly, or criminal harm that must be reported?
  • With whom am I tempted to let the sun go down on unresolved anger?
  • How might delayed reconciliation be giving division a deeper hold in a family, friendship, workplace, or church?
  • Which fruit of the Spirit should I deliberately put on when anger rises?

Key terms

Righteous anger
A morally ordered response to sin and injustice that seeks God's glory and obeys his commands.
Sinful anger
Wrath driven by wounded pride, personal preference, impatience, hatred, or a desire for revenge.
Contention
A quarrelsome pattern that stirs conflict rather than pursuing truth, peace, and reconciliation.
Reconciliation
The active pursuit of restored peace through honest confrontation, repentance, forgiveness, and repair.
Foothold for the devil
An opportunity given to spiritual evil when unresolved anger hardens into bitterness, division, and unforgiveness.

Notes and prayer