Biblical Answer

Righteous anger is a noble outburst that human anger so often is, a sign of pride and weakness, but it is holiness reacting to evil in a way that is morally right and glorious. It is a growing, inner anger, like sap in a tree on a hot day that swells the trunk and branches until they are in danger of bursting. Wrath is that anger boiling over. We see it in a quick temper. Righteous anger is a necessary reaction of true holiness, justice, and goodness to wickedness, exploitation, and evil of every kind. It begins to take effect in the squalid and degrading effects of sin.

The key to distinguishing righteous anger from sinful anger is the cause of anger. Righteous anger is anger over sin that offends God, harms others, or harms the person sinning. Sinful anger, on the other hand, is anger that is directed against the wrong object, for the wrong cause, or leads to wrong behavior. Righteous anger is commanded in the injunction "be angry and sin not" (Psalm 4:4). This means that it is not the anger itself that is wrong, but rather how we respond to it. Righteous anger accomplishes good and is a sign of a healthy and holy heart.

The Bible also teaches us that righteous anger is not about us, but about God. Anger reveals more about our own heart than it does about the other person. When we are angry, it is between us and God. This is why it is so important to bring our anger to Jesus daily for redemption. Righteous anger is not about getting even or seeking revenge, but about standing up for what is right and just. It is a noble outburst that is morally right and glorious, and it is a sign of a healthy and holy heart. As James 1:20 says, "Human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." However, righteous anger can produce the righteousness that God desires. The key is to respond to our anger in a way that is righteous and holy.