Anger is not always sinful. But it has such a tendency to run wild that whenever it displays itself, we should be quick to question its character with this inquiry: "Do you do well to be angry?"

Sometimes we can answer, "Yes!" Very frequently anger is the madman's firebrand, but sometimes it is Elijah's fire from heaven. We do well to be angry at sin because of the wrong it commits against our good and gracious God. We do well to be angry at ourselves when we remain so foolish after so much divine instruction. We do well to be angry at others when the sole cause is the evil they do.

He who is not angry at transgression becomes a partaker in it. Sin is a loathsome, hateful thing, and no renewed heart can patiently endure it. God himself is angry with the wicked every day, and his Word declares, "You who love the Lord, hate evil."

But let's be honest. Far more frequently our anger is not commendable or even justifiable. Then we must answer, "No." Why should we be fretful with children? Passionate with coworkers? Wrathful with companions? Is such anger honorable to our Christian profession, or glorifying to God? Is it not the old evil heart seeking to gain dominion? And should we not resist it with all the might of our newborn nature?

Many professing Christians give way to temper as though it were useless to attempt resistance. But let the believer remember: you must be a conqueror in every point, or else you cannot be crowned. If we cannot control our tempers, what has grace done for us? Someone told Mr. Jay that grace was often grafted onto a crab-stump. "Yes," said he, "but the fruit will not be crabs."

We must not make natural infirmity an excuse for sin. We must fly to the cross and pray the Lord to crucify our tempers and renew us in gentleness and meekness after his own image.