Where Does Our Sin Originate? Follow Up

Q

I have a question regarding your answer to the question, “Where does our sin originate”? You quoted Mat 5:22 which I guess you took from the New International Version (NIV). This version omits some important words which change the whole meaning of the verses as compared to the King James Version (KJV), which says, “But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.” The words “without a cause” are omitted in the NIV implying that any anger is forbidden, whereas the KJV suggests that there is righteous anger allowed. Surely the Lord Jesus was rightly angry in places like Mark 3:5.

A

I’m aware that some translations contain the phrase “without a cause” in Matt. 5:22. The NIV has it footnoted as an alternate, which usually means it’s not in the majority of source texts. I didn’t include it because I don’t believe it’s consistent with the Lord’s other teachings such as John 13:34-35, repeated in John 15:12. Nor do I believe it’s legitimate to say that because Jesus got angry, it’s OK for us. He is God and we are not.

I don’t think it’s possible for fallen humans to be objective about our own motives, especially when we’re angry. So how can we know whether our anger is righteous or not? It’s far better to confess your anger and be forgiven than to insist that your anger is justified and continue in sin. Paul said that unresolved anger gives the devil a foothold in our lives (Ephesians 4:27). A foothold can become a stronghold, which in modern times is called having anger management issues.