Anger's Role in the Sanctification Process
Understanding Anger's Role in Sanctification
The concept of sanctification is deeply rooted in biblical teachings, emphasizing the process of being set apart for God's service and becoming holy. Sanctification involves the work of the Holy Spirit in transforming believers, making them more like Christ [1]. This process encompasses the renewal of the mind, the mortification of sin, and the cultivation of virtues, including the appropriate management of emotions like anger.
Anger, as an emotion, is not inherently sinful; it is a natural response to evil or injustice. The Bible acknowledges that anger can be a righteous response when directed towards sin and wrongdoing [2]. For instance, Jesus exhibited anger in the face of hypocrisy and injustice (Mark 3:5). The key lies in managing anger in a way that does not lead to sin.
The biblical basis for understanding anger's role in sanctification can be seen in passages like Ephesians 4:26, which advises believers to "be angry, and do not sin" [7]. This indicates that while anger itself is not sinful, allowing it to lead to sin is. The process of sanctification involves learning to manage anger in a godly way, ensuring it does not control one's actions or lead to malice and bitterness.
In the context of sanctification, the management of anger is closely tied to the development of other virtues such as patience, kindness, and self-control. The apostle Paul lists anger and related vices among the "old self" that believers are to put off, in favor of the "new self" characterized by righteousness and holiness (Colossians 3:8-10) [5]. This transformation is part of the sanctification process, where believers are called to reflect the character of Christ.
The role of anger in sanctification is also understood through the lens of its potential to be a catalyst for righteous action. When anger is directed appropriately, it can motivate believers to stand against injustice and to advocate for what is right. This is in line with the biblical teaching that God is angry with sin and wrongdoing, and that believers are called to share His concerns [4].
Different Christian traditions offer insights into how anger should be managed within the sanctification process. For example, the Puritan tradition emphasizes the need to mortify sinful anger and to cultivate a spirit of meekness and forgiveness [5]. In contrast, Eastern Orthodox thought, as represented by John Chrysostom, highlights the importance of gaining mastery over anger, not by retaliating, but by bearing meekly the injustices suffered [6].
The sanctification process, including the management of anger, is facilitated through various means, including the Word of God, prayer, and the fellowship of believers. The Bible is replete with instructions on how to live a holy life, including teachings on managing emotions like anger. Believers are sanctified "through the word" (John 17:17, 19), indicating the crucial role of Scripture in this process [3].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sanctification — Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:1”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Anger — The emotion of instant displeasure on account of something evil that presents itself to our view. In itself it is an original susceptibility of our nature, just as love is, and is not necessarily sinful. It may, however, become sinful when causeless, or excessive, or protracted (Matt. 5:22; Eph. 4:26; Col. 3:8). As ascribed to God, it merely denotes his displeasure with sin and with sinners (Ps. 7:11).”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 5:26 (Geneva1599) — That hee might sanctifie it, and clense it by the washing of water through the worde,”
- King James Version “[KJV] Ezekiel 5:13 — Thus shall mine anger be accomplished, and I will cause my fury to rest upon them, and I will be comforted: and they shall know that I the LORD have spoken it in my zeal, when I have accomplished my fury in them.”
- Colossians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Colossians 3:8: As we are to mortify inordinate appetites, so we are to mortify inordinate passions (Col 3:8): But now you also put off all these, anger wrath, malice; for these are contrary to the design of the gospel, as well as grosser impurities; and, though they are more spiritual wickedness, have not less malignity in them. The gospel religion introduces a change of the higher as well as the lower powers of the soul, and supports the dominion of right reason and conscience over appetite and passion. Anger and wrath are bad, but malice is worse, because it is more rooted ”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: none reproves us, and do not many feelings of repentance come over us, both for what we have said and done; but when we gain the mastery, then are we not proud, and exult as conquerors? For victory in the case of anger is, not the requiting evil with the like, (that is utter defeat,) but the bearing meekly to be ill treated and ill spoken of. To get the better is not to inflict but to suffer evil. Therefore when angry do not say, “certainly I will retaliate,” “certainly I will be revenged”; do not persist in saying to those who exhort you to gain a ”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 4:26: Be ye angry, and sin not--So the Septuagint, Psa 4:4. Should circumstances arise to call for anger on your part, let it be as Christ's "anger" (Mar 3:5), without sin. Our natural feelings are not wrong when directed to their legitimate object, and when not exceeding due bounds. As in the future literal, so in the present spiritual, resurrection, no essential constituent is annihilated, but all that is a perversion of the original design is removed. Thus indignation at dishonor done to God, and wrong to man, is justifiable anger. Passion is sinful (d”