Anonymous (via GotQuestions)
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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
We can know for sure that our anger or indignation is righteous when it is directed toward what angers God Himself. Righteous anger and indignation are justly expressed when we are confronted with ...
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Tim Thornton
In two words: You Can't Certainty this side of Glory is reserved for what God has promised. And even at this, it's what He knows He promised because often I attach my wish list to what He has promised. This is true of me because I now 1 Cor.13:9,12 For we know in part and we prophesy in part.......12For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. Job 42:5-6 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. 6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes There are some thing we can be sure of. 1. I can't know for sure if there is no sin in a particular attitude or action. 1 Cor.4:3-5 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God. 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 2. I can't rest in my performance. Our finding our rest in the righteousness of Christ alone requires constant strenuous effort because we are fighting our perpetual propensity toward self righteousness. Heb. 4:9-11 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Phil. 3:7-11 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord:for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 3. I can't be done with sin as long as I am in this body. Remaining sin will be a present plague for every true believer as a means of keeping us turning to God from our self serving tendency to serve the living and true God. Romans 7:21-25 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. May God bless us in this fight of faith to the glory of His grace.
Lena Wms
I have a bit of a different perspective to this question. I believe we can all agree there are at least two types of Anger. One in which is "fleshly" and hurts others and yourself. Then there is a Holy, Righteous Anger that flares when the Word of God or His Holy Name has been put down. How can you know when you are in Holy Anger? If the person you are angry at repents, your anger should immediately subside. The LORD's Name has been defended. (Not like it needs defending, but you have stood and declared Him HOLY! His Name Holy! But, the person repented. God has accepted them back, who are we not to? Unity restored! The book of Jonah is a wonderful tale about a prophet that had to deal with his own Anger vs Holy Anger. He realized that once the people repented under his anointed ministry, God in HIS MERCY would Forgive them! Jonah would look like a liar and a fool. The disaster he predicted did not happen. So, he did what I have done so many times, Jonah ran. "I won't go, God" Jonah, in the later chapters, finally saw that he cared more for a plant, than a person God had created. However, God has the final say. Praise God! When we see our Anger for what it really is, a weapon against God. Holy Anger is to Defend God's Name. It becomes easier to distinguish our motives in what we think, feel, and do in EVERYTHING! Be Blessed Lena
Jack Gutknecht
From Wikipedia, we find that Righteous indignation is typically a reactive emotion of anger over perceived mistreatment, insult, or malice of another. It is akin to what is called the sense of injustice. In some Christian doctrines, righteous anger is considered the only form of anger which is not sinful, e.g., when Jesus drove the money lenders out of the temple (Matthew 21). Of course, the greatest example of unjust suffering is that of Jesus Christ, and we must imitate Him (see 1 Peter 2:13-25). Jesus teaches us that righteous protest against injustice always involves sacrifice and suffering, and must be motivated by love. St. Peter said, 19 "For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when He suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." God’s people must be careful not to clothe their prejudice in the garments of “righteous indignation.” Wiersbe
John Matthews
I fail to find the term "righteous indignation" in any translation of Scripture. If it is not there, then the term is not of God. God has indignation every day, but, most certainly, it is for us. Psalm 7:11 I also cannot find where Jesus condones anger in any form. As far as I know, the only expression of something close to that is when Jesus threw out the money changers and vendors from the temple by overturning the tables and chairs. Matthew 21:12 It is difficult to control anger under the best of circumstances let alone other times. We are never "allowed" to hate or commit violence, even to the worst of sinners, in the name of Jesus. He loved his enemies and sought out sinners. Our commandment is to love God and love our neighbor. Everyone is our neighbor, even the sinful ones.
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