Anger seems to be a negative emotion when viewed through the lens of Colossians 3:8 and Psalm 37:8, which warn against it. However, we see that Jesus himself expressed anger in Mark 3:5 and John 2:14-16. Proverbs 8:13 reminds us that to fear the Lord is to hate evil, while Psalm 97:10, Amos 5:15, and Romans 12:9 all emphasize the call to hate what is evil.
When dealing with people, the Bible makes it very clear to love them. Hatred toward others is strictly condemned (1 John 2:9-11, 1 John 3:15), and in fact, hating a brother is likened to murder (1 John 3:15). Vengeance is God’s domain, not ours (Romans 12:19), and Proverbs 10:12 seems to present hate and love as two opposing forces.
Since we are not to operate in evil, it raises the question: is anger an evil thing? How do we reconcile the call in Romans 12:17-21 to overcome evil with good with the outburst of anger Jesus displayed in John 2:14-16?
In Mark 3:5, we see a prime example of Jesus overcoming evil with good. The evil was the crippled hand, and the people’s hard hearts. Jesus’s anger moved him to action. He healed the man. His anger wasn’t detrimental; it led to restoration, exemplifying Romans 12:21 by overcoming evil with good.
Another example is found in Mark 10:13-14, where Jesus was indignant when his disciples tried to prevent children from approaching him. His indignation, a form of anger at the unfair treatment, led Him to rebuke His disciples and welcome the children. Indignation is anger directed towards injustice. Seeing injustice evokes justice (2 Corinthians 11:29).
Seeing injustice evokes justice.
When it comes to hatred, the Bible teaches us that it should be directed at sin, injustice, and anything that opposes God’s will. Romans 12:19 reminds us that vengeance belongs to God. Our role is to respond with love and leave judgment to Him.
Violence and the Kingdom of Heaven
In Matthew 11:12, we encounter the idea of violence in relation to the kingdom of heaven. Though difficult to fully grasp, this concept is crucial to the Christian life. Standing firm in faith requires effort and dedication. Entering God’s kingdom is not passive—it demands active pursuit and endurance. James 1:2 tells us that trials are inevitable, and Romans 8:37 declares that we are more than conquerors, implying that there are battles to be fought and won. Conquering these challenges often requires force and determination.
This violence is the forceful, passionate pursuit of God’s will. Those who vigorously seek God’s kingdom take hold of its power. It takes knowledge of the Word and direction from God to know which causes to violently pursue. One must know the will of God before he can fight to maintain it.
Conclusion
God created us with the capacity for anger, but it must be rightly directed. Anger should not be selfish or aimed at our neighbor. Righteous anger, as demonstrated by Jesus, seeks to restore justice and uphold God’s will, never to pursue personal revenge. It takes wisdom and understanding to navigate anger in the context of relationships. There is a clear distinction between hating what is from God and hating what is not from Him.
The kingdom of heaven is at hand, and passivity will not suffice. To experience the fullness of God’s kingdom, especially amidst adversity, we must take a passionate, forceful stance, always grounded in His will and His Word.
