Righteous Anger

Matthew 13:12-13

12 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. 13 That is why I use these parables, for they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.

Have you ever had a hunger for something? You just had to eat that hamburger or steak that you were thinking about all day to satisfy your craving for it. This scripture is saying that those who crave and hunger after the things of God will understand it, but those that hear and do nothing with their knowledge; it will be taken away from them.

We as followers of Jesus Christ should pursue holiness and righteousness. Granted, we won’t always act holy and do the right things all the time, but we should be striving to become more like Jesus everyday. Jesus wasn’t always Mr. nice guy all the time though like we like to think. He was in fact, bothered by some and became very angry in the temple when people were using it as a place of thieves and robbers. Jesus was basically showing us that sometimes we have to stand up for the truth and be bold and courageous, but there are times we should stay silent.

This doesn’t give us the right to go grab a whip and start hitting people and turning over tables for no reason. What it is showing us is, Jesus wants us to make the right decisions even in our anger. Jesus showed us that we can have righteous anger. That doesn’t mean we lose our cool and start saying things we shouldn’t. What it means is, we have to make the right decisions when we are angry. 

Remember, there are times to stand up for the truth and there are times we need to be silent. Jesus stood silent in front of King Herod because he knew the truth would fall on deaf ears. So Jesus is showing us to be careful who we speak the truth too. Always pray that God would show you what to do in situations that may or not require you to speak up about the truth. The truth is, people already know the truth because God has made it plain to them (Romans 1:18-20). The truth has been revealed to us throughout His creation. In the end, people will have no excuse not to live for God. 

Dear Jesus, thank you for allowing me to hear and apply the truth today. Help me to hunger after you daily. Help me to be steadfast in your Word and apply it to my life. Help me to make righteous decisions wherever I go today. I pray for discernment when and when not to stand up for the truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen!