“Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God” (James 1:20).
Among Christians on the internet, one very often sees various versions of the statement that being Christ-like includes the possibility of turning over tables and driving people out with a cord. This is usually meant humorously, but it is also often used subtextually to justify one's outbursts.
It would certainly seem to be true that there may be such a thing as divinely-inspired righteous anger. But let us tread with great caution and fear when approaching the claim that some outburst of ours qualifies.
Remember what James says: “the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God.” Let us examine very carefully whether or not our wounded pride has anything to do with our anger. We will almost always find that it does. And that does not come from God. Better to be meek and humble of heart than to falsely place your angry outbursts in the camp of Jesus cleansing the Temple.
If we don't watch out, we will be calling our sins acts of God, which is nothing less than blasphemy.
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