“‘Be angry, and do not sin’: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil” (Eph. 4:26-27).

As Paul describes putting off the old man of sin and putting on the new man, we might expect him to deliver a complete prohibition against anger. This emotion produces words and actions that cause pain and destruction. To our surprise, Paul says we can “be angry.”

The new man “was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:24). It is impossible for God to lie (v. 25), but He is very capable of displaying anger when things violate His righteousness and holiness. Jesus expressed anger and righteous indignation (Mark 3:5; John 2:14-16). Being made in God’s image (Gen. 1:26-27), we are capable of anger. God allows us to retain this natural emotion, but we are warned to control it.

Anger is dangerous because it is a very strong emotion. All strong emotions are doorways to sin. Cain was angry about God rejecting his offering. “Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it’” (Gen. 4:6-7, NASB). When we find our anger being aroused, a warning should go off in our head – we are getting dangerously close to sin! If we stay in this state very long, it will give the devil the opening he needs to lead us into performing his will. “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20).

Our anger must be resolved quickly - “Do not let the sun go down on your wrath.” The setting of the sun marks the end of the day. Unresolved anger must never be left out overnight. It robs us of a peaceful night’s sleep. We spend hours demonizing the objects of our anger, making them sworn enemies deserving of our wrath. Given the opportunity, anger will turn inward and take root in our heart as bitterness, hatred, and resentment. This residual poison leads to malice and vengeance. None of this belongs in the new man.

We can either control our anger, or it will control us. Christ expects His followers to learn to control all their strong emotions. Anyone can become angry. However, learning to be angry at the right thing, for the right reason, at the right time, and in the right way requires serious spiritual growth and self-control. This is part of putting on the new man.