Be Angry and Do Not Sin
Key Scripture
“Do not fret because of evildoers… Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm.” (Psalm 37:1, 8)
I was so angry with this Israeli kid!
It was almost sundown on the eve of Yom Kippur—the Day of Atonement—and I had gone, as usual, to feed the street cats at the garbage bins and give them fresh water.
Because almost no one drives in Israel on Yom Kippur, the streets become remarkably quiet and empty. This has led to a uniquely Israeli custom: children take to the streets on their bicycles and scooters, enjoying roads that, for one day, are virtually free of cars.
Just as I was about to leave the feeding station, a boy of about ten years old stopped his scooter. He walked over to one of the cats that was peacefully eating the food I had put down and tried to kick it—and then kicked over its water.
Oohhh! I was furious!
I yelled at him to stop and gave him a sound lecture about being kind to animals. But to no avail. He simply got back on his scooter and rode away, seemingly unconcerned.
But I didn't ride away from it so easily.
I muttered to myself all the way home about mean, disrespectful kids and how parents should teach their children that the Torah commands us to show compassion toward animals—God's creatures.
Even after I got home, I couldn't seem to shake my anger. In fact, that one incident seemed to bring other frustrations bubbling to the surface—especially the pain and anger I have felt when seeing animals abused, neglected or mistreated in this country.
But God knows exactly what is going on inside our hearts, and He knows what we need to hear.
Protect What God Has Given You
The next morning was Yom Kippur. I opened my devotional to spend some quiet time reading the Word of God and praying.
Wouldn't you know it? The devotional was about anger.
It spoke about Moses coming down from Mount Sinai and seeing the children of Israel partying and worshipping the golden calf. Moses became so angry that he threw down the tablets containing the Ten Commandments, shattering the sacred and precious gift that God had just placed into his hands.
The title of the devotional was:
“Protect What God Has Given You.”
Those words went straight to my heart.
The Lord reminded me that I cannot allow someone else's bad behavior to cause me to become bitter, and to lose something precious that He has given me.
I cannot make everyone do what is right.
I cannot force other people—or an entire culture or society—to live in a way that honors God.
But I can guard what God has entrusted to me.
I can protect my integrity.
I can protect my holiness.
I can protect my joy.
And, perhaps most importantly, I can protect my peace.
Do Not Fret Because of Evildoers
Psalm 37 begins with these words:
“Do not fret because of evildoers…”
The Hebrew idea behind fret carries the sense of becoming heated or kindled with anger. How appropriate! That was exactly what had happened to me. I had become all stirred up inside because of someone else's wrongdoing.
And yet the Psalm goes on to say:
“Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm.” Psalm 37:8
There will always be things happening around us that are wrong.
There will always be people who behave badly. There will be injustice, cruelty, selfishness, chaos and dysfunction in this fallen world. We should not become indifferent to these things, and there are times when we need to speak up or take action.
But we must be careful that, in confronting what is wrong, we do not allow it to take possession of our own hearts.
The enemy would love to keep us continually troubled—stirred up with anger, frustration, bitterness and strife. If he cannot steal our salvation, perhaps he will try to steal our peace.
The Word of God tells us:
“Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath.”Ephesians 4:26
There is an anger that arises when we see something wrong. But we don't have to carry that anger home with us. We don't have to rehearse the offense over and over in our minds until one incident becomes connected to every other hurt and frustration we have ever experienced.
Instead, we can bring it to the Lord.
We can do whatever He gives us to do about the situation—and then release the person into His hands and pray for them.
Guard Your Peace
Perhaps there is someone in your life whose behavior is continually frustrating you.
Perhaps you see things happening in your family, your community, your nation—or even in the world—that make you angry because you know they are not right.
We cannot control what everyone else does.
But we can ask the Lord to help us guard what He has given us.
Don't allow someone else's behavior to steal your joy. Don't allow someone else's wrongdoing to make you bitter. Don't allow the darkness around you to extinguish the light within you. And don't allow anyone to steal your peace.
Speak up when you need to. Do what is right. Defend those who cannot defend themselves. But then entrust the situation—and the person—to God.
“Do not fret because of evildoers.”
Protect what God has given you.
Prayer
Abba, forgive me for the times I have allowed the wrongdoing of others to stir up anger, bitterness and strife within my own heart. Give me wisdom to know when to speak, when to act, and when to simply release a situation into Your hands.
Help me to stand for what is right without losing the peace You have given me. Guard my heart from bitterness and help me to pray even for those who do wrong.
May I protect the precious gifts You have entrusted to me—my integrity, my holiness, my joy, and my peace.
In the name of Yeshua HaMashiach. Amen.
Reflection
Is there someone—or something happening around you—that you have allowed to steal your peace?
Ask the Lord today to show you what you need to do, if anything, and then release what you cannot control into His hands.
“Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm.” — Psalm 37:8
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