Am I right to be angry?

You know what it feels like to be angry don’t you?
—You really want to fix something.
—You really want to get back at someone.
—You feel that things have been made wrong, and you really want to make things right again.

Because that’s what anger is. Anger is the strong feeling that I’m right, and that something or someone else is wrong.

But—am I right? The Bible’s word for that is “righteous”. Matthew 5 is the first chapter of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount

And in this first chapter of the sermon, Jesus is explaining God’s Law.

He says that back in v. 17 just before:

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

And the standard God describes in His Law is nothing less than perfection.

That’s what Jesus says in v. 20:

For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

And v. 48:

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

But none of us are perfect. God’s Law shows us that. That’s the point Jesus is making in Matthew 5.

But, all of us get angry, so: Am I right to be angry?

Jesus says three things about that here:

1) Anger is hellishly serious (vv. 21-22)
2) Because angry people refuse to receive mercy (vv. 25-26)
3) But Jesus’ mercy never runs out (vv. 20, 23-24)

So, the first thing:

1) Anger is hellishly serious (vv. 21-22)

Look at what Jesus warns in vv. 21-22:

You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Jesus explains that the commandments of God’s Law have a deeper meaning than we see on the surface.

Don’t murder, commit adultery, give false testimony, actually mean… don’t be angry, look in the wrong way at people, or bend the truth.

Anger is really serious, because the heart of anger is a murderous feeling toward someone else.

Whether I tend to snap at people, or I silently seethe, mutter under my breath, or just quietly ignore them.

Anger in all its forms is not harmless. That’s a heart wishing someone else would just go away.

Have you ever wanted someone out of your life?

Avoided them with coldness?

Fantasised about putting them in their place?

That’s not just frustration. That’s a little murder in your heart.

And Jesus says this anger makes us “liable to judgment”… even “liable to the hell of fire.” That’s serious. God sees the heart — and no courtroom, no clever excuse, no apology after the fact can undo what your heart has already said.

And the ultimate reason anger is so dangerous is because of this:

2) Because angry people refuse to receive mercy

Look at vv. 25-26:

Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

God is in a good mood with you. He loves you. He cares about you unconditionally. He’s forgiven you.

But, Jesus warns us, that we have to receive God’s forgiveness by trusting Him.

Of course we do. You can’t have a relationship with someone if you are perpetually angry with them and refuse to let things go.

Because even though God has forgiven us, so many people are still angry at Him.

Angry that He allowed something to happen. Angry that He says things we don’t like. Or simply angry that He’s in charge and we aren’t.

And Jesus warns us that we have limited time, a limited opportunity in this life, to let go of our need to be right, and receive forgiveness.

Because, ultimately, God will judge the world. He’ll do that perfectly. He’ll do that rightly. He’ll do that patiently—we won’t see it happen until the end. But He will do it. Judgement is coming.

A reckoning for those who aren’t right, no matter how convinced they’ve become that they are.

This is why Jesus tells us to make peace quickly—not just with others, but with God.

Because anger doesn’t just hurt relationships—it closes your heart.

It keeps you convinced that you’re in the right.

It makes you hold on to judgment instead of mercy, because you want to push for your rights.

And that kind of heart can’t confess, can’t say sorry. It won’t kneel. It won’t feel softness. It can’t say, “I was wrong.”

When you’re angry — really angry — you rehearse your wounds.

You cling to your case.

And so you can’t trust God to be the judge — you’re too busy trying to be the judge yourself.

But Jesus warns: there’s only one Judge.

And if you won’t come to terms with Him now — if you won’t lay down your case and receive His mercy — then you’ll face judgment without appeal.

There are many people who should be here, and aren’t, because their anger keeps them away.

The Bible is full of examples like that. Joseph’s brothers scared to talk to him. The Prodigal son’s brother, too angry to go to the party.

And Jesus says the people in Hell will be weeping and gnashing their teeth. Gnashing your teeth is an act of defiance—of anger.

The time is short. The window is open. But it won’t be forever.

So, do you hold a grudge? Bitterness? Frustration? Let it go. Come to terms with your accuser. Say sorry to God and trust Him — while there’s still time.

Because the great news is Jesus’ third point:

3) But Jesus’ mercy never runs out

Please look at the heart of his teaching in vv. 23-24:

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

God doesn’t need anything from you.

The God who made all creation by his Word, the God who spoke angels into existence, doesn’t need your worship, your gifts, your money, your time.

I am not so special that I can earn anything before Him, to justify holding onto my anger.

So, I can let go of all the ways I’m trying to be accepted by Him. All the ways I’m trying to be right. Even very religious ways — like offering sacrifices. He doesn’t need them.

Here’s some words that King David sang in Psalm 51:16-17. Words that are God’s gift to us to use in prayer:

For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

The secret to letting go of my anger is knowing this: God has already let things go. He’s dealt with everything. He’s not grinding any axe.

It cost Him His Son — a sacrifice he was glad and willing to make. Not because you were so right about anything, but because He loves you and has made you right through Jesus.

So, am I right be angry?

This was the question God challenged Jonah with, when he was angry at God’s mercy over Nineveh.

And it’s a question that when you hear it can either be withering and hurtful and hammering, Or it can be sweet and freeing and wonderful.

Anger is hellishly serious

Because angry people refuse to receive mercy

For those locked in anger. Locked in a determination that they’re right… …their anger holds them back from seeing their failure, from saying sorry to God, from trusting Him, from seeing any path forward other than hatred and negativity.

Anger like this becomes hardened in bitterness.

That’s why Paul gives these serious words in Galatians 5:19-21:

Now the works of the flesh are evident… enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy… and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

So, remember: Jesus’ mercy never runs out God is not angry with you. Jesus is suicidally desperate to free and forgive you.

And because of Jesus: God is right, to say you are right, even when you are wrong. God is not angry: He is in a good mood with you. So trust Him when you’re tempted to anger this week.