Description
What does Paul mean in Ephesians 4:26 when he tells us not to let the sun go down on our anger?
Ephesians 4:26
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Transcript
Today we’re looking at Ephesians chapter 4, verse 26. Be angry and do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger.
So this is the Apostle Paul writing to the church in Ephesus and he is very closely quoting Psalm chapter 4, verse 4, which says, Be angry and do not sin. Ponder in your own hearts on your beds and be silent.
And the reason I referenced the Psalm is that helps us to understand what Paul means by don’t let the sun go down on your anger.
So the Psalmist is saying you’re feeling the anger but don’t let it lead you into sin. Contemplate on it. Consider what it is whilst you’re in bed, and be silent. Don’t let that turn into an outburst or rage or violence. The feeling of anger in itself is not necessarily sinful. The sinful thing is when that anger is directed at a person made in the image of God, and that that turns into violence or hate or revulsion.
God wants us to love anyone, including our enemies. So the anger can’t lead to hate, because that’s the opposite of love, isn’t it?
And so the pondering in our own hearts, on our beds, the not letting the sun go down means that we take that anger, we reflect on it, we expose it to the light, we bring it before God. And we don’t let it turn into something that can be used by our sin or as a tool of the devil.
So the next time we feel the anger building let us ponder in our own hearts. Bring it before God, repent of that bit that is sinful, and then ask Him for His peace and for Him to calm our hearts, so that we can be angry and not sin.
Lord, You accept that we are creatures of emotion, but You do also want us to be creatures of obedience. Please help us, when we are angry, not to let it lead us into sin. But rather, as with everything, to let it turn us back towards you. Amen.
