“Energy is dedicated to keeping the anger alive; we constantly remind ourselves of how wrongly we have been treated.”- Dallas Willard, Divine Conspiracy
“But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”- Matthew 5:22 (N(V)
“He is a fool who cannot be angry; but he is wise who will not remain angry.”- Dale Bruner, Matthew: A Commentary
As Rich Villodas moves on in Chapter 5 of The Narrow Path, he notes that on the narrow path, inner transformation births true faithfulness. And this is especially true as it pertains to anger.
Above all, Jesus names a very specific anger. As Bible scholar Dale Bruner points out, in Greek the word is orgizomenos. One can best translate this present-tense word as ‘carrying anger,’ ‘remaining angry,’ or ‘nursing a grudge.’
Most significantly, sooner or later rage weighs us down when it becomes the default mode of our lives. Certainly, we don’t use the word raca today. However, plenty of similar words flow from our lips. Today we use words like fool, idiot, jerk.
But what truly makes a word problematic, and even dangerous, centers on the spirit of contempt that animates it. Raca dehumanizes and condemns. Even when uttered in a casual manner, we use raca with the intent to cause great harm.
In conclusion, Rich cautions, our society nurtures and rewards anger. As a result, it forms us to see others as the root problems of our society. As a result, when we view others as the problem, that justifies our anger toward them.
Hence, Rich counsels:
“On and on it goes. Here’s Jesus’ point: To carry and nurse the kind of anger that leads to raca is murder in God’s eyes. . . . If you’ve ever experienced that level of hatred toward someone, while it can feel justified in the moment, you’re actually living in a kind of hell. Rage consumes us. Destroys us.”
Today’s question: What Scriptures stop you from keeping the anger alive? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Left untended, anger destroys”