ANGER THAT WOUNDS THE SOUL
By Rev. Dr. Edwin Rideout, ThD., MDiv., MA., B.Th
Before Cain lifted a stone to kill his brother, anger had already taken hold of his heart. God had earlier warned him clearly:
The Lord asked Cain, “Why are you angry? Why does your face look sad? 7 You know that if you do what is right, I will accept you. But if you don’t, sin is ready to attack you.
That sin will want to control you, but you must control it. (Genesis 4:6-7 ERV)
Cain did not take God’s good advice, and the outcome was tragic. Anger hardened into resentment, resentment fueled violence, and a short while later, his precious brother lay dead in a field.
During His earthly ministry, Jesus addressed the subject of anger directly on several occasions and indirectly many more times through His teachings on forgiveness, mercy, and reconciliation. He pointed out that while anger may appear small, even at times justified, when it is allowed to remain, it reshapes the soul.
In Matthew 5, Jesus moves the conversation beyond visible behaviour and into the hidden life of attitudes, motives, and internal practises. His concern is not merely what we do outwardly, but what is taking place within our hearts:
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8, ESV)
Purity of heart speaks of an interior life that is not governed by resentment or bitterness. If such devices are allowed to remain, they eventually cloud our ability to make healthy decisions. Jesus illustrates this principle by addressing anger directly:
You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder…’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment. (Matthew 5:21–22, ESV)
A heart shaped by resentment struggles to differentiate clearly, to respond graciously, and to remain open to the work of God’s Spirit. Jesus teaches that purity of heart is not merely moral correctness but a wholesome heart.
Scripture consistently teaches that relational health and spiritual health are intertwined. The Apostle John writes, “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar” (1 John 4:20, ESV). Paul warns believers, “When you are angry, don’t let that anger make you sin, and don’t stay angry all day (Ephesians 4:26–27 ERV). These passages do not deny us the right to experience anger; rather, they warn about what happens when anger remains unresolved.
Knowing this, Jesus urges immediate action when relationships are strained:
If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there… First be reconciled. (Matthew 5:23–24, ESV)
Practically speaking, dealing with anger begins with honestly acknowledging it before God.
Naming it before the Lord begins the healing process. Here are some helpful spiritual practices that will help reset your heart:
when we learn to process our wounds honestly before God in prayer. It is through prayer that we remove ourselves from the role of judge and invite Jesus to be the Judge of all matters.
Choosing to pray for those who have hurt us does not excuse their wrongdoing or relieve them of their responsibilities, but it does free our hearts from resentment and prepares us to receive the transforming work of grace.
Jesus’ warning about anger is not meant to condemn us but to protect us.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
- pray honestly about the hurt rather than rehearsing the offence continually
- refuse to assign motives to others without clarity
- speak directly and graciously when resolution is possible
- release the desire to “win” the situation
- remember how much mercy we ourselves have received
- choose to bless rather than curse those who have wounded us
Releasing anger is often very difficult and may take many months to fully process, and possibly require professional help from a spiritual leader or a Christian counsellor. Hurt can cut deep, and wounds sometimes linger. Freedom begins
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