Righteous Anger Aug 20 2010

"Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools." - Ecclesiastes 7:9

All of us struggle with anger; it's a part of life. Do you ever feel your anger is justified? Have you ever used the term "righteous anger?" The phrase is often used when someone has wronged us so unjustly that we say, "I have every right to be angry." And then to justify our outburst, we'll add, "Jesus showed righteous anger, didn't He?"

Well, yes, He did. But it is important to notice what triggered His righteous anger. Once was when He entered the temple and found it had been turned into a place for taking advantage of the poor. Jesus was furious about it because God was not being respected. Jesus also got angry whenever people were taken advantage of, mistreated, or were shown contempt. And Jesus became indignant when the disciples would not allow children to visit with Him. These are all displays of righteous anger.

But understand this: Jesus only became angry when others were mistreated. Jesus never got angry when He was treated unjustly. So, how did He react when He was the target of injustice? Look at what Jesus did when He was unfairly sentenced to death, the ultimate act of personal injustice.

He said, "Father, forgive them."

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