One of the world’s most famous paintings, da Vinci’s Last Supper, was almost ruined by anger. Apparently the artist became infuriated with someone as he was trying to paint Jesus. He lost his temper and let loose a torrent of abuse on him. However, when he returned to the canvas to work on the face of Jesus, he found he couldn’t go on. He had been so disturbed by the violence of his emotions that he was unable to focus himself for the delicate task of giving expression to Christ’s love and tenderness. There was only one thing to do — he put down his tools and sought out the man. Then he asked for forgiveness. Only after his apology was accepted was Leonardo able to return to his workshop and finish painting the face of Jesus.

While Leonardo da Vinci’s contribution to the world of art was enriched by renouncing his anger, many people within the church cannot see how justifying their anger has tarnished the attractiveness of their testimony. Not that all anger is wrong. Nevertheless, much of our anger is sinful, and reveals the dark underside of our souls.

No doubt this is why the New Testament is so condemning of it. Paul says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger.” (Eph. 4:31). Again, he warns: “You must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage and malice...” (Col. 3:18). James likewise agrees:

My dear broth­ers, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19, 20

With such strong warnings against sinful anger, it may surprise us that it still remains a widespread problem within the church. Perhaps the difficulty is that we haven’t grasped that repentance involves more than a change in our beliefs; it also requires a change in our emotions, or at least, in the way we express them.

Being a Christian means more than having a correct theology; it means being like Jesus in the realm of our feelings. And this is where many Christians are finding a struggle. It is one thing to consciously change direction in life; it is another to introduce this conceptual change to the way we conduct our relationships and deal with our visceral feelings about ourselves and others. Nevertheless, it must be done if we are to truly repent of sinful anger. How?

Perhaps a good place to start is to understand why we become angry in the first place. Anger is the emotional expression of our annoyance when circumstances or people displease us. An angry person has some reason for being upset. Usually things are not going according to plan or people are not living up to our expectations (fair or otherwise).

In other words, we are impatient with the situation in which we find ourselves. Whether we realise it or not, this is ultimately a problem of faith. As Christians, we believe that God has predestined our circumstances and “works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will” (Eph. 1:11). Further, we know that God us doing this for our “good” (Rom. 8:28). This means that if we become impatient and angry with our circumstances, we are leaving God out of the picture. We are behaving like practical atheists.

Ask yourself this question: is it right for a Christian to be unhappy and frustrated when unexpected things happen? When the car breaks down? When the traffic lights turn red? When the photocopier goes on the blink? Not in a world ruled by a sovereign God. One man who resented God’s delays was Saul. He was angry when help didn’t come on time (1 Sam. 13:38). In his rage he rejected God’s directions and took matters into his own hands. Sadly, his anger cost him his job.

While some Christians are angry with God’s timing, others are resentful over the suffering they’ve experienced. They burn inwardly over injustices they’ve endured. Under these circumstances, they sometimes feel tempted to strike out in rage. Peter did this when Jesus was illegally arrested. He cut off a soldier’s ear. It was a rash deed and cast a shadow over all the apostles’ witness. What he needed to realise was that no one, acting in a private capacity, has authority to seek vengeance (Romans 12:19). That prerogative belongs to God alone. The Lord does not need vigilantes.

Probably the most hurtful form of anger in the Christian community today is the hostility that we reserve for other people. Whether it is found in families or in the wider fellowship, it is ultimately a form of impatience with God’s work in the lives of others. When we make sneering remarks about the stupidity or ignorance of other believers, when we express contempt for others’ gifts, temperaments or abilities, we are casting a reflection on the work of God’s grace in their lives.

It is tragic when married couples become angry with one another. Whereas love overlooks a weakness, an angry person wants to expose it. It is always painful when a married partners speak disdainfully to their spouses and hurl verbal abuse at them. They may not use their fists, but the wounds they leave are just as deep. Again, the angry person needs to learn patience and commit his partner to God’s grace.

Anger is the sin that no one mentions in the Church today. Nevertheless, we need to repent of it in all its various forms so that we, like Leonardo da Vinci, can reveal the love of God to others by revealing the ten­derness of Christ.