Is it wrong to be angry with God?

Last updated on February 22, 2021

Is it wrong to be angry at God?

Yes, it is wrong to be angry with God.

God is perfectly holy

God is perfectly holy, just, wise and controls all things and destines all things according to His good pleasure and will (Isaiah 6:3-5; Ephesians 1:3-11).  His will is perfect and beyond our knowledge and comprehension. We cannot be His counselor and thus are in no position to hold Him accountable (Romans 11:33-36).  To add to this, God is gracious in His daily provision of life and breath to us (Isaiah 42:5).

God’s grace

Regardless if we are Christians or non Christians, God’s grace allows for us to enjoy His creation and the benefits therein (Matthew 5:45). We cannot repay God and He owes us nothing. Scripture is clear that God’s gracious hand allows us to exist, even as our actions, words, and thoughts continuously offend His holiness (Romans 1:18-3:20). Who are we to argue against God or to contest Him (Job 42:2-6)?

Righteous and unrighteous anger

In Scripture, we see a distinction between righteous and unrighteous anger.  Often, if our anger is righteous, it only lasts for but a second before it becomes unrighteous. Hence, we are told that in our anger, we are to not sin (Ephesians 4:26). But often, unresolved anger turns to sin, to enmity, and in extreme cases, murder (both in our heart and physically – see Matthew 5:21-22).

Righteous anger is a reaction to injustice and we see examples of this reflected in our Lord Himself as He drove the merchants out of the temple. Zeal for the Lord’s house consumed Him (John 2:13-17). But we have no right to be angry at a perfectly just God. If we were, His response to us will be as it was to Job and Jonah who questioned God or displayed anger toward Him (See Job 38ff and Jonah 4:4).

Confess it

It is never right to be angry at God, but there are times when we do express anger and in those times, it is right that we repent and commit ourselves to Him. If you are angry at God, it is best to confess it. He knows your heart and will not be hurt by your emotions. Upon confessing your anger toward Him, you can then ask God to help you grow in faith and accept the way He has allowed and controlled things to happen as they do.

What did you learn from the Bible this week? 

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