Righteous Indignation
“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:” Ephesians 4:26.
There is much anger in our world today and uncontrolled anger has caused many irrational actions that could have been avoided and would never have been committed had the person retained control over their emotions.
Many Christians also justify their anger by saying that Jesus also got angry for a righteous cause and therefore it is perfectly acceptable for them to get angry. However there is a large difference between anger and righteous indignation.
Anger: “A strongly felt displeasure aroused by real or supposed wrongs, often accompanied by an impulse to retaliate;” Macquarie Dictionary
Indignation: “A strong displeasure at something deemed unworthy, unjust, or base.” Macquarie Dictionary.
So what is the difference between the two? With anger, we see the added part about, “often accompanied by an impulse to retaliate.” With indignation it is not there. Then when we add the word “Righteous” in front of the word indignation. we understand it to mean a strong displeasure when we see something done morally or spiritually wrong, whether against God or against mankind.
However, many have excused their strong emotions and words with the excuse that it is righteous indignation as Jesus used. Jesus was “angry” so they also have a right to be angry.
JESUS IN THE TEMPLE:
Let’s look at what happened to Jesus in the temple. He cleansed the temple on two different occasions, once at the beginning and once at the end of His ministry.
“And the Jews’ Passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;..” John 2:13-15.
“As Jesus came into the temple, He took in the whole scene. He saw the unfair transactions. He saw the distress of the poor, who thought that without shedding of blood there would be no forgiveness for their sins. He saw the outer court of His temple converted into a place of unholy traffic. The sacred enclosure had become one vast exchange…
“Christ saw that something must be done With a searching glance, Christ takes in the scene before Him as He stands upon the steps of the temple court As He beholds the scene, indignation, authority, and power are expressed in His countenance. The attention of the people is attracted to Him. The eyes of those engaged in their unholy traffic are riveted upon His face. They cannot withdraw their gaze. They feel that this Man reads their inmost thoughts, and discovers their hidden motives. . . .
“The confusion is hushed. The sound of unholy traffic and bargaining has ceased. The silence becomes painful. A sense of awe overpowers the assembly. It is as if they were arraigned before the tribunal of God to answer for their deeds… He speaks, and His clear, ringing voice – the same that upon Mount Sinai proclaimed the law that priests and rulers are transgressing – is heard echoing through the arches of the temple: ‘Take these things hence; make not My Father’s house an house of merchandise. ‘
“Slowly descending the steps, and raising the scourge of cords gathered up on entering the enclosure, He bids the bargaining company depart from the precincts of the temple. With a zeal and severity He has never before manifested, He overthrows the tables of the money-changers. The coin falls, ringing sharply upon the marble pavement. None presume to question His authority. None dare stop to gather up their ill-gotten gain. Jesus does not smite them with the whip of cords, but in His hand that simple scourge seems terrible as a flaming sword. Officers of the temple, speculating priests, brokers and cattle traders, with their sheep and oxen, rush from the place, with one thought of escaping from the condemnation of His presence.” DA 157,158.
From this account we see that Jesus did not utter one word of anger. He showed righteous indignation, but no anger. He had no thoughts of retaliation and he did not smite anyone with His whip of cords. He spoke with authority, but not in anger.
The second time the temple was cleansed, “And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Luke 19:45, 46.
“Three years before, the rulers of the temple had been ashamed of their flight before the command of Jesus. They had since wondered at their own fears, and their unquestioning obedience to a single humble Man. They had felt that it was impossible for their undignified surrender to be repeated. Yet they were now more terrified than before, and in greater haste to obey His command. There were none who dared question His authority. Priests and traders fled from His presence, driving their cattle before them.” DA, p. 591,592.
Again, Jesus uttered only one sentence and then proceeded to drive them out.
MOSES:
Looking at the life of Moses. We see that there were two times when he showed anger. The first time was when he came down from Mt. Sinai, after spending 40 days in the presence of Jesus, only to find the nation of Israel dancing around the golden calf. In the heat of the moment, he threw down the tables of stone, breaking them in pieces.
“Overwhelmed with horror and indignation that God had been dishonored, and that the people had broken their solemn covenant with Him, he cast the two tables of stone upon the ground and broke them beneath the mount. Though his love for Israel was so great that he was willing to lay down his own life for them, yet his zeal for the glory of God moved him to anger, which found expression in this act of such terrible significance. God did not rebuke him. The breaking of the tables of stone was but a representation of the fact that Israel had broken the covenant which they had so recently made with God. It is a righteous indignation against sin, which springs from zeal for the glory of God, not that anger prompted by self-love or wounded ambition which is referred to ill the scripture, ‘Be ye angry, and sin not.’ Such was the anger of Moses.” TM, p. 101.
“Does God condemn Moses? No, no; the great goodness of God pardons the rashness and zeal of Moses, because it was all on account of his fidelity and his disappointment and grief at the sight of his eyes in the evidence of Israel’s apostasy.” 3T 341.
MOSES’ 2-ND DISPLAY OF ANGER:
Then towards the end of his life, we again read of Moses getting angry. There was no water in the desert and the Israelites came to Moses and Aaron, blaming them for all their troubles. Upon inquiring of the Lord as to what their duty was, they were told to go and speak to the rock. Moses, in a fit of anger, smote the rock two times. The water flowed out, but this second time when Moses displayed anger, it was different and it was this portrayal of anger that prohibited him from entering the Promised Land. “Hear now, ye rebels,’ must we fetch you water out of this rock? And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly.” Numbers 20:10-11. While it was true that the many complaints of the people provoked him to anger, and it seemed to be anger for a righteous cause, Moses went too far this time. This time it was anger not indignation. “And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.” Numbers 20: 12.
“Aaron and Moses both sinned in not giving glory and honour to God at the waters of Meribah. They were both wearied and provoked with the continual complaining of Israel, and, at a time when God was to mercifully display His glory to the people, to soften and subdue their hearts and lead them to repentance, Moses and Aaron claimed the power of opening the rock for them. ‘Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?’ Here was a golden opportunity to sanctify the ,Lord in the midst of them, to show them the longsuffering of God and His tender pity for them. They had murmured against Moses and Aaron because they could not find water. Moses and Aaron took these murmurings as a great trial and dishonour to themselves, forgetting that it was God whom the people were grieving. It was God whom they were sinning against and dishonouring, not those who were appointed of God to carry out His purpose. They were insulting their best Friend in charging their calamities upon Moses and Aaron; they were murmuring at God’s providence.” 3T, p, 301,302.
Moses was weary from the 40 years wandering in the wilderness and the constant murmuring and complaining of the Israelites. Any time they were’ in a slightly difficult situation, rather’ than turning to God in prayer and faith asking for direction, they went to Moses and began complaining and blaming him for all their troubles. “Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the Lord! And why have ye brought up the congregation of the Lord into this wilderness, that we and our cattle die there? And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? It is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink.” Numbers 20:3-5. They had clearly forgotten the wonderful way God had provided for them in the past. This constant murmuring did take its toll on Moses, however this was no excuse for his sin. “Moses had spoken from irritated feeling; his words were an expression of human passion rather than of holy indignation because God had been dishonoured.” PP417.
“Not even the integrity and faithfulness of Moses could avert the retribution of his fault, God had forgiven the people greater transgressions, but He could not deal with sin in the leaders as in those who were led The fact that Moses had enjoyed so great light and knowledge made his sin more grievous. Past faithfulness will hot atone for one wrong act. ” PP 420.
“A wrong act can never be undone. It may be that the work of a lifetime will not recover what has been lost in a single moment of temptation or even thoughtlessness.” PP 426.
Two things Moses did wrong – he got angry and then he took the honour to himself that was due only to God. “Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips.” Psalm 106:33
“To human judgment this may seem a light thing; but if God dealt so severely with this sin in His most faithful and honoured servant, He will not excuse it in others. . . . The more important one’s position, and the greater his influence, the greater is the necessity that he should cultivate patience and humility.” PP 420.
There is a danger that God’s people today can make the same mistakes as Moses. The second mistake of taking glory to God is a real danger. “If the children of God, especially those who stand in positions of responsibility, can be led to take to themselves the glory that is due to God, Satan exults. He has gained a victory.” PP 421.
NO EXCUSE FOR ANGER
“All who profess godliness are under the most sacred obligation to guard the spirit, and to exercise self-control under the greatest provocation. The burdens placed upon Moses were very great; few men will ever be so severely tried as he was; yet this was not allowed to excuse his sin. God has made ample provision for His people; and if they rely upon His strength, they will never become the sport of circumstances. The strongest temptation cannot excuse sin. However great the pressure brought to bear upon the soul, transgression is our own act. It is not in the power of earth or hell to compel anyone to do evil. Satan attacks us at our weak points, but we need not be overcome. However severe or unexpected the assault, God has provided help for us, and in His strength we may conquer.” PP 421. “You may, by a single word spoken in haste and passion, leave a sting in the hearts of friends which may never be forgotten.” 4T 243.
Moses did not premeditate this sin. I am sure he was shocked when God pointed it out. If he had not allowed his anger to gain control of him, he never would have spoken the words that he did, nor taken the honour to himself that was due only to God. Anger is a terrible evil- once indulged, it controls a person’s reason and people do things they would never dream of doing if they had their emotions under control.
“It is a sin to speak impatiently and fretfully or to feel angry…” CG 95. Here it is said that it is a sin to even feel angry. How is this possible? Is it not said by modem day health professionals that it is ok to feel angry as long as you learn to manage it and channel it in the right direction? After all we are human and according to our emotional make-up, we will feel angry at times. No, this is not acceptable to God. We must learn to handle circumstances as they come our way and to not allow anger to creep into our emotional make-up. “Harsh, angry words are not of heavenly origin. Scolding and fretting never help.” CG 246. “We cannot get angry just when we please, and retain a clear conscience and the approval of God.” 2T 590. “That which is done in haste and anger is not excusable. The action is bad.” 4T 243.
Often angry feelings arise from feelings of resentment because someone has injured us. David says, “Great peace have they which love thy law and nothing shall offend them. ” Psalm 119:165. “Resentment, which is indulged because you think you have been misused, is the spirit of Satan and leads to great moral evil.” 4T 243. Uncontrolled anger has led to many horrible crimes and atrocities on this earth. There is no excuse for it and we must strive, by the grace of God, to completely eliminate it from our emotional make-up.
PARENTS AND CHILDREN
When our children do wrong over and over again, as parents it is easy to become exasperated and angry. However this will never solve the problem. When disciplining our children, not even the tone of our voice should change. We need to have perfect control of ourselves if we wish to control our children. “When you are obliged to correct a child, do not raise the voice to a high key. . . Do not lose your self- control. The parent who, when correcting a child, gives way to anger is more at fault than the child. . Be so calm, so free from anger, that they will be convinced that you love them, even though you punish them.” CG 246,249.
“Fathers and mothers, you are responsible for your children. Be careful under what influences you place upon them. Do not, by scolding or fretting, lose your own influence over them for good. You are to guide them, not to stir up the passions of their mind. Whatever provocation you may have, be sure that the tone of your voice betrays no irritation. Do not let them see in you a manifestation of the spirit pt Satan. This will not help you to fit and train your children for the future, immortal life.” CG 261.
If you discipline your children in anger, what you are teaching them is that anger is an acceptable response when circumstances don’t go as you expect them to, or when someone has disappointed you. They will begin to use the same methods they see in you. They will become angry when others disturb them or when they don’t get their own way. We need wisdom from the Lord in order to discipline our children and set a right example for them to follow.
INDIGNATION VS. ANGER
“Christ’s indignation was directed against the hypocrisy, and gross sins, by which men were destroying their own souls, deceiving the people and dishonouring God. In the specious deceptive reasoning of the priests and rulers He discerned the working of satanic agencies. Keen and searching had been His denunciation of sin; but He spoke no words of retaliation. He had a holy wrath against the prince of darkness; but He manifested no irritated temper. So the Christian who lives in harmony with God, possessing the sweet attributes of love and mercy, will feel a righteous indignation against sin; but he will not be roused by passions to revile those who revile him. Even in meeting those who are moved by a power from beneath to maintain falsehood, in Christ he will still preserve calmness and self-possession.” DA. p. 619,620.
“It is true there is an indignation that is justifiable, even in the followers of Christ. When they see that God is dishonoured, and His service brought into disrepute, when they see the innocent oppressed, a righteous indignation stirs the soul. Such anger, born of sensitive morals, is not a sin. But those who at any supposed provocation feel at liberty to indulge anger or resentment are opening the heart to Satan. Bitterness and animosity must be banished from the soul if we would be in harmony with heaven.” DA, p. 310
So what is the difference between Righteous Indignation and Anger? It is often the spirit and tone of the voice that will give it away. Many times, though, only God can tell what is in the heart and what is the motive behind the words and actions. Are they a result of disappointment for those that are going against the cause of God as in the case of Jesus and Moses when he threw down the 10 commandments? Or are they the result of hurt and irritated feelings that a person has towards themselves? It may often appear that a leader has displayed righteous indignation when they see the cause of God being wronged, but there is danger that, as a leader, the person shows anger because he is concerned with his reputation as a leader, rather than how the people are hurting themselves and the cause of God. However, God can read the heart and knows the motive for every action. We can hide from man, but not from God. Judas Iscariot allowed hidden resentment to grow in his heart and it led him to’ finally betray Jesus. Hidden anger and irritated feelings will be made manifest at some point in time. It is best to guard our thoughts and our words, as we will be judged by these also on the great judgment day. The recording angel faithfully records each word spoken, the spirit with which it is spoken and the motive behind the words. It is time now to give up all feelings of anger and resentment and not make excuses for our anger saying that “Jesus displayed anger” so it is ok for us to also. Plain and simple, anger is sin. We must allow the love of God to control our thoughts, words and actions.
“The real greatness and nobility of the man is measured by the power of the feelings that he subdues, not by the power of the feelings that subdue him. The strongest man is he, who, while sensitive to abuse, will yet restrain passion and forgive his enemies. Such men are true heroes.” 4T 656.
“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” Proverbs 16:32.