15When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. (John 2:12-15)
Jesus brought the message of “love your enemies” to the world and demonstrated it in such a way that some people have forgotten instances like this, when Jesus clearly showed anger.
Anger can be a godly emotion. Ephesians 4:26 tells us to “be angry and sin not.” There is a righteous type of anger that is not sin. However, Ephesians 4:26 goes on to say, “Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” That doesn’t mean it is all right to be angry during daylight as long as we repent by bedtime. Rather, it speaks of how to handle this righteous type of anger. We are never to let it rest. We are not to put it to bed, but we are to keep ourselves stirred up against the things of the devil.
Throughout the Bible we are told to hate evil (Ps. 45:7; 119:104,116; Prov. 8:17; Rom. 12:9). When we see the enemy kill, steal, and destroy, it should make us angry! The key to distinguishing between a righteous anger and a carnal anger is recognizing who or what is the object of our anger. Godly anger is directed at the devil with no consideration of self, but carnal anger is self-centered and directed at people who hurt or offend us in some way. (Eph. 6:12)
If you are angry with anyone today, forgive them and turn them over to God. But if you are furious with the devil for hurting or harming you or someone else, you are in full agreement with Jesus. Remember that He hates all evil. For that reason He defeated Satan and all the demons (Col. 2:15), and He has purchased total peace and victory for you.
