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The Sin of Unforgiveness and Anger in Christian Life

The concepts of unforgiveness and anger are frequently addressed in Christian teaching, often highlighting their potential to lead to sin while also acknowledging that anger itself is not inherently sinful [1]. Anger is described as an "original susceptibility of our nature," similar to love, and becomes sinful when it is "causeless, or excessive, or protracted" [1].

Biblical texts provide guidance on the nature of anger. Proverbs 29:22 states that "An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin" [4]. Other passages forbid anger outright or warn against its destructive potential [8]. For instance, Ecclesiastes 7:9 advises against quick temper, and Matthew 5:22 warns against anger towards a brother [8]. The Apostle Paul lists anger as a "work of the flesh" in Galatians 5:20 [8]. Anger can be connected to pride, cruelty, clamor, evil-speaking, malice, blasphemy, strife, and contention [8]. It can also bring its own punishment [8].

However, there is also a form of anger that is not considered sinful. This righteous anger is seen in God himself, in Jesus Christ, in the holy angels, and in God's people [14]. Such anger arises from a "true zeal for God and religion" and is directed against sins rather than persons [14]. For example, Jesus' anger in Mark 3:5 is cited as an instance of anger without sin [17]. Indignation at dishonor done to God or wrong done to humanity is considered justifiable anger [17]. The Septuagint translation of Psalm 4:4, "Be ye angry, and sin not," is echoed in Ephesians 4:26, indicating that anger can exist without leading to sin [17, 16]. This means that while anger can be a "perversion of the original design," it is not always annihilated but rather refined when directed appropriately [17].

Unforgiveness, often linked to prolonged or sinful anger, stands in contrast to the Christian doctrine of forgiveness. Forgiveness of sin is a core component of justification, where God absolves the sinner from condemnation due to Christ's work [3]. This involves removing the guilt of sin and the sinner's liability to eternal wrath [3]. All sins are forgiven freely through God's grace [3]. This act of grace frees the sinner from guilt and penalty [3]. The ability to pardon sin is a unique prerogative of God, as seen in Psalm 130:4 and Mark 2:5 [3]. This forgiveness is offered to all through the Gospel [3].

The Bible emphasizes the importance of seeking and granting forgiveness. Confession of sins and repentance are conditions for averting God's anger [2]. God's anger, though righteous, is also slow [2]. When individuals confess their sins, God is faithful and just to forgive them and cleanse them from unrighteousness [15]. This cleansing not only forgives the sin but also purifies the individual [15].

Malice, a related concept to unforgiveness and sinful anger, is explicitly forbidden in scripture [7]. It is described as springing from an evil heart and is incompatible with the worship of God [7]. Instead of seeking revenge, Christians are called to trust in God, exhibit love, and overcome evil with kindness [10]. Revenge is forbidden by Christ, who himself set an example of forbearance [10].

The concept of sin itself is broad. "Every unrighteousness is sin" [9]. All human beings are born sinners, though the godly fight against their sinful nature [11]. Deliberate sins are often committed with an insolent or arrogant attitude, representing rebellion against God [13]. The first sin of humanity, as described in Genesis 3:13, was not merely eating a fruit but involved self-love, dishonor to God, ingratitude, and disobedience [12]. The power of sin is the law [6]. While all sins can be forgiven, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is presented as an unforgivable sin [5].

Sources

  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).”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Anger of God, The — Averted by Christ -- Lu 2:11,14; Ro 5:9; 2Co 5:18,19; Eph 2:14,17; Col 1:20; 1Th 1:10. Is averted from them that believe -- Joh 3:14-18; Ro 3:25; 5:1. Is averted upon confession of sin and repentance -- Job 33:27,28; Ps 106:43-45; Jer 3:12,13; 18:7,8; 31:18-20; Joe 2:12-14; Lu 15:18-20. Is slow -- Ps 103:8; Isa 48:9; Jon 4:2; Na 1:3. Is righteous -- Ps 58:10,11; La 1:18; Ro 2:6,8; 3:5,6; Re 16:6,7. The justice of, not to be questioned -- Ro 9:18,20,22. Manifested in terrors -- Ex 14:24; Ps 76:6-8; Jer 10:10; La 2:20-22. Manifested in judgments and”
  3. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Forgiveness of sin — One of the constituent parts of justification. In pardoning sin, God absolves the sinner from the condemnation of the law, and that on account of the work of Christ, i.e., he removes the guilt of sin, or the sinner's actual liability to eternal wrath on account of it. All sins are forgiven freely (Acts 5:31; 13:38; 1 John 1:6-9). The sinner is by this act of grace for ever freed from the guilt and penalty of his sins. This is the peculiar prerogative of God (Ps. 130:4; Mark 2:5). It is offered to all in the gospel. (See [219]JUSTIFICATION.)”
  4. Proverbs “An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin. -- Proverbs 29:22”
  5. Matthew “Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. -- Matthew 12:31”
  6. 1 Corinthians “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. -- 1 Corinthians 15:56”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Malice — Springs from an evil heart -- Mt 15:19,20; Ga 5:19. Forbidden -- 1Co 14:20; Col 3:8; Eph 4:26,27. A hindrance to growth in grace -- 1Pe 2:1,2. Incompatible with the worship of God -- 1Co 5:7,8. Christian liberty not to be a cloak for -- 1Pe 2:16. Saints avoid -- Job 31:29,30; Ps 35:12-14. The wicked Speak with. -- 3Jo 1:10. Live in. -- Tit 3:3. Conceive. -- Ps 7:14. Filled with. -- Ro 1:29. Visit saints with. -- Ps 83:3; Mt 22:6. Pray for those who injure you through -- Mt 5:44. Brings its own punishment -- Ps 7:15,16. God requites -- Ps 10:14; Eze 36:5. Pun”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Anger — Forbidden -- Ec 7:9; Mt 5:22; Ro 12:19. A work of the flesh -- Ga 5:20. A characteristic of fools -- Pr 12:16; 14:29; 27:3; Ec 7:9. Connected with Pride. -- Pr 21:24. Cruelty. -- Ge 49:7; Pr 27:3,4. Clamour and evil-speaking. -- Eph 4:31. Malice and blasphemy. -- Col 3:8. Strife and contention. -- Pr 21:19; 29:22; 30:33. Brings its own punishment -- Job 5:2; Pr 19:19; 25:28. Grievous words stir up -- Jdj 12:4; 2Sa 19:43; Pr 15:1. Should not betray us into sin -- Ps 37:8; Eph 4:26. In prayer be free from -- 1Ti 2:8. May be averted by wisdom -- Pr 29:8. Meeknes”
  9. I John “I John 5:17 (Darby) — Every unrighteousness is sin; and there is a sin not to death.”
  10. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Revenge — Forbidden by our Lord -- Le 19:18; Pr 24:17,29; Mt 5:39-41; Ro 12:17,19; 1Th 5:15; 1Pe 3:9. Christ an example of forbearing -- Isa 53:7; 1Pe 2:23. Rebuked by Christ -- Lu 9:54,55. Inconsistent with Christian spirit -- Lu 9:55. Proceeds from a spiteful heart -- Eze 25:15. Instead of taking, we should Trust in God. -- Pr 20:22; Ro 12:16. Exhibit love. -- Le 19:18; Lu 6:35. Give place to wrath. -- Ro 12:19. Exercise forbearance. -- Mt 5:38-41. Bless. -- Ro 12:14. Overcome others by kindness. -- Pr 25:21,22; Ro 12:20. Keep others from taking -- 1Sa 24:10; 25:24”
  11. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
  12. Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:13: beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.”
  13. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
  14. Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 4:24: Be ye angry, and sin not,.... There is anger which is not sinful; for anger is fouled in God himself, in Jesus Christ, in the holy angels, and in God's people; and a man may be said to be angry and not sin, when his anger arises from a true zeal for God and religion; when it is kindled not against persons, but sins; when a man is displeased with his own sins, and with the sins of others: with vice and immorality of every kind; with idolatry and idolatrous worship, and with all false doctrine; and also when it is carried on to answer good ends, as the good of those ”
  15. 1 John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins - If, from a deep sense of our guilt, impurity, and helplessness, we humble ourselves before God, acknowledging our iniquity, his holiness, and our own utter helplessness, and implore mercy for his sake who has died for us; he is faithful, because to such he has promised mercy, Psa 32:5; Pro 28:13; and just, for Christ has died for us, and thus made an atonement to the Divine justice; so that God can now be just, and yet the justifier of him who believeth in Jesus. And to cleanse us from all unrighteousness - Not only to forgive the sin, but to”
  16. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 4:4: Stand in awe, and sin not,.... That is, stand in awe of God, and his righteous, judgments; be afraid of him, and tremble before him; make him your fear and your dread, and go on no longer and proceed no further in sinning against him. The Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions, render it, "be ye angry, and sin not": which are the words of the apostle, Eph 4:26; referring to this place; and which doubtless is the reason of these versions. There is an anger that is sinful, when it is without a cause, or exceeds due bounds, and is not directed to”
  17. 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”
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