Is My Anger Righteous?
God calls us to be angry about the right things.
By Paul David Tripp, Guest Contributor
It’s unavoidable: this week you were angry. Everyone was in some way. When you look back on your anger, what do you see?
The prophet Micah writes, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). This passage calls us to a lifestyle of righteous anger.
But how do we know if our anger is considered “righteous” by God?
Righteous anger is selfless
In Micah 6:8, the Lord requires us to 1) act justly, 2) love mercy, and 3) walk humbly.
Ask yourself: What will cause me to act justly? Is it not righteous indignation at the perversion of justice, which causes innocent people to suffer and permits the guilty to go free? What will cause me to respond to others in mercy? Is it not anger at the suffering around me in this broken world? If I want to be part of what God is doing, will I not hate what He hates?
If I want to be part of what God is doing, will I not hate what He hates?
Suffering must not be okay with us. Injustice must not be okay with us. The immorality of the culture around us must not be okay with us. The deceit of the atheistic worldview, the philosophical paradigm of many culture-shaping institutions, must not be okay with us.
Righteous anger should yank us out of selfish passivity. Righteous anger should call us to join God’s revolution of grace. It should propel us to do anything we can to lift the load of people’s suffering, through the zealous ministry of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to bring them into the freedom of God’s truth.
Righteous anger is compassionate
What does this holy anger look like? It’s kind and compassionate. It’s tender and giving. It’s patient and persevering. It’ll make your heart open and your conscience sensitive.
Though you are busy, it will cause you to slow down and pay attention. It’ll cause you to expand the borders of your concern beyond you and yours. It’ll cost you money, time, energy, and strength. It’ll fill your schedule and complicate your life. It’ll mean sacrifice and suffering.
When your anger is righteous, you won’t be content with comfort and ease. When you’re both good and angry, you won’t fill your life so full meeting your own needs or realizing your own ministry dreams that you’ve little time for being God’s tool to meet the needs of others.
But all of this requires a fight. Not a fight with people or social movements or political institutions. No, this is an internal fight. It’s a fight for the heart.
Kindness, compassion, gentleness, mercy, love, patience, and grace don’t come naturally to us. They only come when powerful, transforming grace progressively wins the fight for our hearts. Only grace can win the fight between God’s will and our will, between God’s plan and our plan, between God’s desire and our desire, and between God’s sovereignty and our quest for self-rule. As long as sin still lives in our hearts, this fight rages in every situation and location of our lives.
Only grace can win the fight between God’s will and our will.
Righteous anger desires good
If we’re ever going to be tools of the gracious anger of a righteous and loving God, we must begin by admitting the coldness and selfishness of our own hearts. We must cry out for the rescue that only His grace can give. We must pray for seeing eyes and willing hearts. We must make strategic decisions to put ourselves where need exists. We must determine to slow down so that when opportunities for mercy present themselves, we’re not too distracted or too busy.
Most of all, those of us who’ve been called to represent the character and call of God in local church ministry need to pray that we would be righteously angry. We must pray that a holy zeal for what’s right and good would so fill our hearts that the evils greeting us daily would not be okay with us.
We must be agitated and restless until His kingdom has finally come, and His will is finally being done on earth as it is in heaven.
We must pray that we’d be angry in this way until there’s no reason to be angry anymore. And we must be vigilant, looking for every opportunity to express the righteous indignation of justice, mercy, wisdom, grace, compassion, patience, perseverance, and love. We must be agitated and restless until His kingdom has finally come, and His will is finally being done on earth as it is in heaven. For the sake of God’s honor and His kingdom, we must determine to be good and angry at the same time.
As you look back on your week, evaluate your anger: Did your anger result from building your temporary kingdom or seeking God’s eternal kingdom? Did your anger propel you to be a healer, a restorer, a rescuer, and a reconciler? Or did your anger leave a legacy of fear, hurt, disappointment, and division?
God calls you to be good, and He calls you to be angry at the same time. This broken world desperately needs people who will answer His call.
Paul David Tripp
Dr. Paul David Tripp (M.Div, Westminster Theological Seminary), a longtime fan of BSF, is a pastor, speaker, and award-winning author known for the bestselling everyday devotional New Morning Mercies. He and his wife, Luella, recently celebrated 50 years of marriage. They live in Philadelphia and have four adult children and six grandchildren.
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I think being good and angry needs more of a definition of angry. Application will vary depending upon context. I think the part where you stated a sensitive conscience could be unpacked more. Like a conscience that is pricked so often that you can barely lift yourself up; this kind of anger. Where the weight pressed down is so much that anger, as in reactionary anger, is fleeting, and you have to tell yourself that this is wrong, something is unjust. Where love crushes you so much that if you’re not careful you call good evil and evil good.Was it really good that Jesus was crucified? And about then is when your anger makes you fall to your knees, and want to wash Jesus feet with your tears.
Honestly the context of application can be so varied and personal that I would guess a relationship with God is vital to be able to express righteous anger. But I do want heaven on earth. May His kingdom come, His will be done. May all glory be to Him. I will trust and obey, God-willing.
Such a great article as I’m just beginning the journey with our church through “LivingUndivided”! Thank you.
“We must make strategic decisions to put ourselves where need exists. We must determine to slow down so that when opportunities for mercy present themselves, we’re not too distracted or too busy.” This really spoke to me. Thank you Lord for prompting me again!
This is wrong and biblically inaccurate. I am concerned with the premise that we are allowed to be angry. Please show me ONE passage that tells us that we are authorized to be angry, righteous or otherwise. Even the verse that’s quoted here mentions nothing about being angry. We cannot be angry because we have a sin nature! Jesus was the only one that could have righteous anger because HE was the only one righteous. How could we possibly square this teaching with any of the following passages?
Ps 37:8, Pr 14:29, Pr 15:18, Pr 22:24, Pr 29:22, Ecc 7:9, Col 3:8, 1Tim 2:8, and Jas 1:19-20
Even when we throw around “Be angry and do not sin…” (Eph 4:26) as a justification to be angry, we totally disregard what it says 5 verses later in 4:31: “Let ALL bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with malice.” We are called to act differently than the world, to be unoffendable. Your anger is not a catalyst that will produce the righteousness of God but satisfy your human nature and sin. We are to pray and take action, while living at peace with everyone (see Rom 12:9-21). If anger is something you struggle with, read the book Unoffendable by Brant Hansen. And for your sake, don’t listen to this.
Mercy. Having tried to stuff anger – authorized or not – causes great emotional and psychological harm. Teachings such as yours welcomes the devil to wreck havoc in our hearts and relationships. It is a human emotion and spoken of as something actually natural, albeit sinful as we are all sinners. The verses I read all point to it is going to happen, but how to handle it in a manor that honors God and our relationship with man. We are not God, we are not perfect, and we have the human emotions He blessed us with. We will be offendable either intentionally or unintentionally. Your response could be considered offendable. I am so thankful when I do have angry responses to injustice in this world (my neighbor’s daughter being attacked by a reckless dog owner, leaving her with multiple wounds on her legs, arm & face; a parent berating their child in public; a person who freely and repeated lies to make themself look better; elder abuse, & the list goes on!), I know my God is just as angry because He is Holy and Good and Compassionate. Mr. Tripp’s article is helping us see it is ok to be upset with the things that upset Him, and hopefully we listen when the Holy Spirit shows us how to respond as He would, in ways that honor Him. Grace, please.
I get it that anger is a human emotion that we have to deal with, but you still haven’t provided a scriptural reference to our anger being a good thing that we are called to experience. Anger, in any form, is just an extension of our pride and selfishness. We can know the heart of God, but because of our nature we can never emulate His righteousness. We are made righteous by Christ’s action, not ours. Even in Eph. 4:25-32, it clearly says that we will be angry (as this is our human nature), but it also with the utmost clarity tells us to get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger. Then look at verse 32 and tell me how we are supposed to reconcile our anger. Please, as one who was prone to anger and justifying it as righteous, understand what the Bible is saying and what Pastor Tripp is communicating and ask yourself: if I was completely objective, which is the path that honors God?
By the way, I never said stuff anger….. we are called to forgive. Let it go and be done with anger because a man’s anger does not produce the righteousness of God.
I have read Dr. Tripp’s challenge to assert a righteous anger towards human suffering, cultural and moral decline, and injustice in our broken world.
Then I read Brian’s response. At age, almost 90, I lean strongly toward Brian’s view. I do not have the perfect righteousness that God has. I do not have His omnipotence, His omniscience, nor His omnipresence. Yes, we have the resident Holy Spirit within us, and yes, I can quote Romans 8: 28, however, my energies are primarily spent in trying to live a life that glorifies God, a life that enlarges my sanctification to be more Christ-like, to be loving to my wife, my family, my neighbor.
I am saddened by peoples needless suffering and disgusted with the moral, spiritual, social, and political decline I see in America. Perhaps you could say it angers me.
If I am called upon to offer help, I do that through my tithe, contributing food to the food bank, changing a strangers tire, shoveling snow for my widow neighbor, voting in elections, etc. Well, obviously this isn’t enough in terms of righteous anger. I feel I’m not measuring up to the call to “God’s revolution of grace”, as Tripp states.
I, like us all, am a sinner saved by grace. I am quite familiar with my short commings, my sinful nature. Romans 7:15-20 is familiar to me. Now Dr. Tripp says, shape up here my boy! You are not doing enough, you are falling way to far short of the mark. You must drum up some righteous anger and turn this fallen world around.
Woe is me …. come soon Lord Jesus!
I agree Richard. I am just saddened that so many Christians are encouraged by someone telling them to be angry?!? This is almost the antithesis of what the Bible is telling us. Personally, it really says something that the words they use to justify their attitudes are from a pastor and NOT THE BIBLE itself. No one has been able to clearly quote a single scripture that says what Dr. Tripp is presenting is God- honoring! We should be looking at Proverbs 21:2, “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.”
“We must be agitated…..; until his kingdom has finally come….” What a teaching principle to meditate on for Lent. Thank You
Thanks. This caused me to do a self evaluation. I will save this to read and pray for transformation in my heart.
Dr. Paul David Tripp
Presents fresh Biblical insight to the subject. When I read the Scriptures in the blog they read me back to me.
It spoke to my heart and promotes self reflection in the mirror of God’s Word
Thanks “for making it plain” as they say in some circles.
What a challenge to my status quo. I didn’t even know that one could safely practice holy anger? Thank you for the insights.
Thank you for that understanding
Wow! I’ve never read or heard any commentary on anger like this. The message is both inspiring and thought-provoking. I am so encouraged to examine my own heart to see what type of anger is there and to let God change my heart to look more like him in this area. This mesage is so insightful. I think I need to read this to my family as well. What a great word.
This was a powerful exposition on anger. Now I understand that anger is not necessarily a sin but an emotion that can lead to good.
Thank you for putting this out.
Used it for my devotions today.
Now I need time to process this.
That is a good thing.
Thank you.
Simply put……I needed to read these words of encouragement and direction today! Gods word is life saving and life changing. Thanks be to God.
I was blessed this morning from the message of being righteously angry. It caused me to see myself in a different light. Actually, I never thought of myself as being selfish, but I see that I am. Rather than concentrating solely on building the ministry I’m personally involved with, I need to also focus on those outside who are in need as well. I need to move away from the distractions so I can hear from God, to listen to who and where He wants me to help.
Thank you for this word. The Holy Spirit helped me to grasp the truth that a Christian can be “angry and sin not.”
However, we must realize that this kind of anger is not being angry with someone because we didn’t like something they said or did. I definitely understood this! Thank you again.
Well written. I love the statement…,, “Only grace can win the fight between God’s will and our will.”
Thank you for the article. It was very helpful
Thank you for sharing. I agree and ask for prayer that I accept this in my heart, mine, body and soul. To be better. Thank you God in Jesus name I pray. Amen,Amen and Amen.
Power word well I was never angry person as I got older I take my time to read my quiet time every night and day I take to God in prayer that if I get like that
Dr. Tripp, on the other hand; perhaps only Jesus should have that ‘Righteous Anger’, He alone is God. When anger rises up in me, it is not a good thing. And, I agree that the battle is in my heart. My response to the inconsistencies and ungodliness should always be that of love (present company included). His Holy Spirit is Fruitfulness that others can taste and see that He is Good.
Absolutely!
O, Lord, you are so true. You literally hear every tearful prayer of your chosen servant.
Powerful message, so timely. Especially for BSF members in US California. Thank you Dr. Paul David Tripp.
I am over joyed with this passage,two days ago my friend and I were discussing about anger,n all the questions we had are answered on this email.I am blessed beyond my imagination
I needed this clarification at such a time as this that God wants me to be angry and good at the same time and the motive of my anger.it has helped me in something that is happening in my life now.
Thankyou and God bless
Thank you for explaining anger in a Godly way. In this time and era we avoid but feel angry at the worldly leadership. Need for sincerity in prayer.
Thanks Dr Tripp.
My take home is that Righteous anger is selfless other than selfish. It moves me from my comfort zone to allowing God’s will to prevail over my life and making every effort to work towards this even when it seems uncomfortable or challenging. So help me God.
Thank you for this convicting words of wisdom and direction. This blog is an answer of a question and prayer I have been asking God for a while. I had been struggling with anger. This blog brought light to my thinking and reasoning. I praise God for His goodness in answering my question so clearly throughout this blog.
You are calling for that which the awakening at Asbury is finding: repentance, purity, mercy, and grace.
Wow! I needed that message! It really made me think. Thanks!
Just the kind of stretch my heart needed tonight! Went to body stretch class this morning and now I’ve been spiritually stretched as well. Thank you!
People everywhere seem so hurried and so angry. This is a helpful essay to channel our zeal in godly pursuits.
Righteous anger leads to the Lord and His kingdom, self anger leads to destruction. Lord, please mold my heart to be like Yours! Amen!
Thank you so much for this powerful piece of writeup on anger against evil.
God bless you
It’s so amazing to me how God knows exactly what we need and when we need it. I have been struggling with this very topic for weeks and this has really put it in perspective for me. This information is truly a Blessing!!
As you look back on your week, evaluate your anger: Did your anger result from building your temporary kingdom or seeking God’s eternal kingdom? Did your anger propel you to be a healer, a restorer, a rescuer, and a reconciler? Or did your anger leave a legacy of fear, hurt, disappointment, and division?
What a lesson, so help us Lord, to be good and angry. Your way Lord, not mine 🙏
What a mighty Word! Lord God help me to be angry and good at the same time! This is so powerful and one I wish to enrobe my heart, mind and walk in daily. It is a stark reminder of what God is calling, we His people, to do. To be the light that shines so brightly that it cost us something, but more importantly, for all to see. Thank you so very much!!!!
wow really gave me a different perspective on anger- thank you sir!
Living with anger in my hearts, even righteous anger, is not healthy. When I experience righteous anger it should encourage me to act. I should work against injustice and evil. Through prayer and personal example I can speak the truth to a hurting world.
YES!!!