Have you ever known someone who seemed persistently angry? With their critical and grumpy attitude, you could always sense them coming from a mile away. Maybe you are that way yourself.

Angry people are easy to spot. Like an out-of-control tornado, they seek to destroy everyone and everything in their path. Instead of identifying the source of their animosity and resolving the true issue, they usually vent their frustrations on innocent individuals around them. Hurtful words, hateful tones, and harmful attitudes follow them like a black cloud. Quite simply, angry people seem to wallow in bitterness.

Unfortunately, anger permeates our society. In a culture that often operates under a "what have you done for me lately" mindset, we are bombarded by the consequences of uncontrolled, selfish anger. School shootings, road rage, domestic abuse, and terrorism are a few. Sometimes it's easy to look at these extreme examples and believe that all forms of anger are sinful; however, that simply is not true.

In Mark 3, Jesus heals a man with a withered hand in the synagogue. After watching Him perform this miracle, the Pharisees and Sadducees accuse Christ of healing on the Sabbath. Jesus looks at them in "anger, grieved at their hardness of heart" (verse 5). He could not believe they were so cold-hearted toward this disabled, disadvantaged man. So, through the example of Jesus, we can see that all anger is not sin.

But when does justified anger-or righteous indignation-become selfish and sinful? Like Christ, a righteously indignant person is solely concerned with correcting a wrong in someone else's life, not their own. Justified anger isn't explosive, rage-filled, and selfish. It isn't an excuse to hate someone but, rather, it is a caring, unselfish anger entirely focused on improving someone else's circumstances.

Think of how Christ handled His emotion. Did He explode and attack the Pharisees and Sadducees? Of course not. Jesus actually "grieved" over their callousness. He didn't become enraged toward them, but He sorrowed over their spiritually deprived state. Even though Christ was frustrated with them, He was also saddened by their hardened heart.

Unfortunately, though, most of our anger is far from righteous. Resentment and rage, if unmanaged, can lead to devastating consequences such as depression, an unforgiving spirit, and a host of physical ailments.

In Ephesians 4:26-27, Paul tells us to "be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger," he says, "and do not give the devil an opportunity." These harmful feelings must be dealt with swiftly, because if we allow them to sit, seethe, and build up inside of us, our unforgiving spirit will alienate us from God and we will become prime targets for Satan.

Unless we turn to God and release our bitter spirit, Satan will begin manipulating our thoughts and actions. Resentment will turn to rage, rage may turn to violence, and we will ultimately find ourselves in a dire predicament-all because we allowed our emotions to control us.

We must make a conscious choice to let go of bitterness. Regardless of how we have been wronged, we cannot expect to live for Christ while this debilitating emotion consumes us. Selfish anger builds a barrier between us and God. With this sin in our life, we are useless to God, unable to display the forgiving nature of Christ to those who need His message.

1) Identify sources of anger in your own life. Who and what provokes you? Is there bitterness you need to let go or people you need to forgive? Prayerfully hand over your burdens to God.
2) Read the key passages for this month and think back on instances in your life where you became angered easily. How have these verses given you insight into what God expects of you when you are dealing with anger?
3) Do you know people that are being mistreated? Just as Christ defended the disabled man in the synagogue, how can you come to the defense of those that may need your help?
4) Commit Ephesians 4:26 to memory and recite it every night before you go to bed. Make a point to deal with your anger swiftly and never go to sleep in a foul mood. Instead, release your burdens to God and enjoy the peaceful rest that comes with a clear conscience.

To delve deeper into this subject and more, visit the In Touch Web site: www.intouch.org.

Also, for a free online discipleship study from Dr. Charles Stanley, visit www.charlesstanleyinstitute.com.

Need biblical advice for teens? Visit www.teen-connection.info --the official teen outreach of In Touch Ministries.