Be Angry and Sin Not.... Do not let the sun go down on your wrath
Read Ephesians 4:25-32
This is one of the most misquoted and misapplied
verses in the Bible. The common teaching goes something like: "Its OK to get
angry, we all do sometimes, but just don't go to bed while you are still angry
with someone, because that would be sinful" But this message is at best
contradictory, AND furthermore, it
really has nothing to do with what is really being said in this scripture. It begs questions like,
"How many hours can we be mad at someone before it becomes sin?" or "How many
angry husbands fit onto the head of a pin?"
Both these questions are of equal value. (i.e. None)
Nevertheless...
We are passionate people, we are built that way. And yes,
self control is a fruit of the Spirit of God. But this passage is not
about controlling our anger or "kissing and making up" before something sinful
happens. It is not even about preventing a root of bitterness from developing
because of offenses we may have experienced (as important as that may be).
Is it OK to be angry or Not?
If we read Ephesians 4 at the surface level, it is
contradictory. In verse 26 Paul says," be angry" but in verse 31 he says, "Let
all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you"
So which is it? Wrath
or no wrath?
We are made in the image of God, and as Christians we are
ambassadors (representatives) for Christ.
God gets angry. So why can't we just get angry, and let anger take its
course? The Bible is full of references to God's wrath. There are things that
He hates and they can predicate some terrible consequences.
In Ephesians 4 Paul is talking about putting away the "old
man" and putting on the new man created by God. He tells us to stop lying
because we are members of one another. He lays out several principles and
practices on how we are to get along and forgive one another and share with
each other according to the need.
In the middle of all these things is the statement to "be
angry"! What can he possibly mean by
that here? In Ephesians 4:26 Paul is
quoting from Psalms 4:4 and he is describing a fundamental attitude we must all
have in order to succeed in fulfilling the rest of the behavioral requirements
listed in the next few verses. Let's get a hold of this invaluable principle.
Going to the Source - Psalms 4:4
When we inspect several translations of Psalms 4 verses 3
and 4 we begin to really see the message.
King James Version Psalms 4:3-4
3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly
for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
4 Stand in awe, and
sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Amplified Version Psalms 4:3-4
3 But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself [and
given distinction to] him who is godly [the man of loving-kindness]. The Lord
listens and heeds when I call to Him.
4 Be angry [or stand
in awe] and sin not; commune with your own hearts upon your beds and be silent
(sorry for the things you say in your hearts). Selah [pause, and calmly
think of that]! [Eph 4:26.]
AMP
Contemporary English Version - But
each of you had better tremble and turn from your sins. Silently search
your heart as you lie in bed.
JPS Bible -Jewish Publication Society (4:5) Tremble, and sin not; commune with your
own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah
King James Version Strong's numbers - Stand
in awe, 7264 and sin2398 not:408 commune559
with your own heart3824 upon5921 your bed,4904
and be still.1826 Selah.5542
LITV-Literal Translation of the Holy Bible - Tremble and do not sin. Speak within
your own heart on your bed and be still. Selah.
Webster's Version
Stand in awe, and sin not:
commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Young's Literal Translation `Tremble ye, and do not sin;' Say ye thus in your heart on
your bed, And be ye silent. Selah.
In Other Words: (the Tom Marxen translation/exposition if you will)
We are to stand in
awe of the Lord, we are to be in a constant state of reverence for Him. We
are to have it in the forefront of our thinking at all times how incredible it
is that He has set us apart for his very own. We are to keep this as an ever
present meditation within our own heart even while we rest on our beds at
night, and we are to stop and be unceasingly amazed by this powerful
relationship and its demands and rewards.
In short - as Paul says, we are not to let the sun go down
on this zeal and awesome recognition of the Lord in our lives - never let it
stop, and you will not allow any place for the devil to establish a foothold in
your life.
Be zealous - and do not let passivity creep in.
Two times Jesus went into the courts of the Temple
and drove out the moneychangers and the merchandisers - both times were during
the time of preparation for the Feast of Passover. These are times of
purification and preparation. He was
driving out the leaven from His Father's house. It was violent, he had a
multi-stranded whip and He was violent. John 2:17
says that "Zeal for your house has consumed me" This is the "wrath" of Psalms
4:4 and the "anger" of Ephesians 4:27.
Romans 12:10-11 says:
Love one another with
brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving precedence and showing
honor to one another.
Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow
and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord. (Amplified bible)
Never let the sun go down on this - never give place to the
devil.
And in this state of living we fulfill the first and
greatest command of the Ten - that God is our God, and there are no
other Gods, before Him.
Psalms 19:9-14
The [reverent] fear
of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired
are they than gold, even than much fine gold; they are sweeter also than honey
and drippings from the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your
servant warned (reminded, illuminated, and instructed); and in keeping them
there is great reward.
Who can discern his
lapses and errors? Clear me from hidden [and unconscious] faults.
Keep back your servant also from presumptuous
sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then shall I be blameless, and I
shall be innocent and clear of great transgression.
Let the words of my
mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my
[firm, impenetrable] Rock and my Redeemer.
Selah
|
