“The anger of man does not bring about the righteousness of God.” (James 1:20).

Rather, it exacerbates the unrighteousness of men and women, stirs up more discord, and allows for the enemy of our souls to divide and disrupt where God wants to bring His light, life, truth, and redemption, bringing people to repentance and salvation, restoring wounded relationships and making them strong.

The anger of man doesn’t seek or bring understanding.

It doesn’t allow for healthy and healing dialog.

It doesn’t allow for truth to be spoken or heard in love.

It doesn’t allow for grace.

It opens the door for confusion and hearing what might not have been said or intended.

It creates silence where God desires for people to come boldly and with confidence to His throne of grace individually and together to find help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

It creates a chasm, a wall that feels impenetrable because the enemy of our souls convinces us that we have a right to our smoldering resentment.

It allows for hurt feelings and defensive words from everyone.

Without intentional care, while relying on the power of Holy Spirit, one person’s anger feeds another’s by way of defense rather than together seeking understanding and forgiveness.

It breaks hearts.

It creates bitter roots.

It brings nothing but regret.

It is nothing less than spiritual warfare that can only be waged well with God-provided defense and offense and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit that resets the chaos and causes both parties to think with the mind of Christ.

His indwelling power enables hurt people to come together, even in very difficult emotions, to let God do a work only He can do; to take what the enemy means for evil and let God do the most beautiful work of restoration out of the ashes.

His indwelling power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9) and part of our weakness is indeed the anger that may come from harsh words, bitter roots, bruised relationships, or self-protection.

His indwelling power enables gentle answers and humble hearts even in the midst of hard truths, never holding back what needs to be said but doing it and receiving it with an eye to eternity and a rest in the One who Himself forgave and forgives our own sin against Him.

His indwelling power enables us to die to ourselves and love well – to be patient and kind, to not dishonor another, to not be self-seeking or easily angered, to rejoice in truth, to protect, hope, trust and persevere. (I Corinthians 13)

His indwelling power enables us to hide from God and each other no more.

His indwelling power enables us to heal and be transformed and restored.

His indwelling power decimates our little kingdoms and allows us to forgive and be forgiven for the benefit of the true King and His everlasting kingdom and for our joy.

His indwelling power calls us and enables us to respond with humility.

And humility over hostility and a gentle answer over wrath honors God, begins ro settle our storms, and brings true peace and restoration with others.

“Humility is the fear of the LORD” and “comes before honor.” (Proverbs 22:4)

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1

“Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2

Photo credit: Mili Cook