Where Did That Come From?

Anger is universal.  I’ve seen it everywhere I’ve went.  I’ve both given it and received it. I’ve seen it in the faces of protestors on the news across many countries.  In both times of war and in times of peace. Living in the USA, I saw it and living in Thailand, I saw it, too. 

What is it inside us that causes humans to act in anger, hate, violence, selfishness, pride, jealously, and other awful behaviors like these? I’m sure there are many triggers and some might even say, justifications, for the cause of such actions, but the Bible simply calls these actions sin, and the cause of such sins is that which is inside us and is called original sin.  That is, what’s ingrained in our DNA – it’s who we are and what we are born with. 

I have a friend in Thailand that’s recently had some troubles within his family, resulting in punches to the face, furniture being thrown and destroyed, and lots of angry shouting.  Hearing about it and being one step removed from it all caused me to pause and reflect.  One time, I too, had some angry words with this friend.  We since repaired our differences but he’s still dealing with family issues.  I had to ask myself, where did my anger come from?  Where does his anger come from?  Sure, we know the triggers on the surface for why tempers flare, but why?  Why does something like anger exist in this world?  It’s so negative, so ugly, so unnecessary.  Hopefully (or at least usually) we regret our angry outbursts later, but yet, it still exists, along with all the other evil behaviors of this world I mentioned earlier.  

I don’t have any answers.  It just saddens me when I catch myself acting out in ways I don’t want to yet, I’m so thankful I have a savior like Jesus in my life to remove those negative ways, to cleanse my sins because I can’t do it on my own.  I’m also so thankful for His patience with me when I continue to sin. He is always there to love and forgive me.  

Yes, please forgive me. Thank you, Jesus. 

• I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.  And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.  So, I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I, myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. (Romans 7:15-25)

• And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil…Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:26-27 & 31-32) 

• Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So, get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.
(James 1:19-24)

• A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.
(Proverbs 15:1)

• Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper—it only leads to harm.
(Psalm 37:8)


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