The Things that Make God Angry
Since I was a little girl, I’ve been uncomfortable with negative emotions. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve expressed plenty of negative emotions– tantrums, meltdowns, down days that I wanted to stay in bed– but they’ve always felt bad or wrong. For example, I would shut out God if I couldn’t bring my sunny self.
I’m gaining a healthier view, but for a long time I carried an over-simplified categorization of emotions as “positive” or “negative.” You can probably guess the breakdown:
Positive emotions– Joy, happiness, gratitude, love, generosity, peace, hope, serenity, confidence…
Negative emotions– Sadness, despair, stinginess, hate, overwhelm, turmoil, hopelessness, insecurity…
You get the gist, and the funny thing is that some of these came from lists I found when I Googled “positive emotions list” and “negative emotions list.” I’m not the only one that categorizes this way. The internet doesn’t lie! Yet, I took these categories one step further. One step too far. I wrongly thought:
Negative emotions are unrighteous.
That statement is untrue because our perfect and holy God holds some of what I’ve considered “negative” emotions– anger, hate, jealousy, and grief. Because God also feels these emotions, we can safely say that these feelings can actually lead to righteousness.
Context is really important. I’m pretty sure most of my meltdowns haven’t been a bit righteous, but we can’t define all negative emotions as bad.
Let’s take God’s anger as an example. Psalm 7:11 says, “God is a righteous judge, a God who displays his wrath every day.” Wow. Wrath every day is a lot of wrath, but the cause of God’s anger is what maintains His status as a righteous judge. His wrath is fueled by:
- Wickedness (Romans 1:18)
- Disobedience (I Kings 11:9-10)
- Dishonesty (Proverbs 11:1)
- Injustice (Proverbs 17:15)
In relation, there are things that God hates which stoke His anger:
- Proverbs 6:16-18
- haughty eyes
- a lying tongue
- hands that shed innocent blood
- a heart that devises wicked scheme
- feet that are quick to rush into evil
- a false witness who pours out lies
- a person who stirs up conflict in the community
- Psalm 5:5
- the arrogant
- those who do wrong
- Psalm 11:5
- those who do violence
From my last post, we know that God’s feelings are immutable and incorruptible. Now we’ve established that even God’s negative emotions are righteous and leveled at unrighteousness. I’ll write about how these truths inform us how to engage our emotions in godly ways, but let’s part with a few questions to consider:
- How does God’s anger and hate inform how I look at the world?
- How does the sacrifice of Jesus expand on the story of God’s anger?
- How does the cross combine God’s “positive” and “negative” emotions?
I’d love to hear your thoughts as you’re processing with me!
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When I was out shopping yesterday, I was assaulted/delighted by all the Christmas displays. (I LOVE Christmas, as you can hear in this fun episode of Grit ‘n’ Grace, but before Halloween? Really?)
So, like most of you, my Christmas shopping list was jump-started. If you’re in that mode now, I have great news! Christianbook.com is running a great sale on Exhale: Lose Who You’re Not. Love Who You Are. Live Your One Life Well., and shipping is free with a $35 purchase. If you buy a copy of Exhale for Aunt Sally, cousin Joan, your best friend Marge, and your neighbor (you know she really needs it), you’ll have lots of your bases covered at a bargain! Click here to order. Coupon code: MEGASALE19
I will really like to follow More of your teachings Ma’am
Loved the book Exhale. I just finished reading it. I loved the way you and Cheri shared in the book. Thanks for being open and listening to the Lord. I underlined the parts that were very meaningful to me and very inspirational. I underlined page 109 – ‘Jesus accepts me and loves me more than I can imagine. Inhale 2,3,4 Now breathe.I hope to refer back to the book. Many blessings, much joy, and love to you’ll and your family. Elsie
Thank you for your sweet encouragement, Elsie! The biblical truths in Exhale are continuing to change our lives, and we’re happy you’re on the journey with us!
I’m reminded of a line from a song “break my heart for what breaks yours” . I believe the things God hates in this world are the things that break His heart. So then, I too, should hate these things and be brokenhearted, and if possible, do something to change it.
Mandi, yes!!!! That’s exactly where we’re going, sister. With all the pain around us, it’s easier to numb out than to feel what God feels.
Amy Carroll you’ve got me thinking early this morning! I love this post. I am such a either/or person when it comes to positive and negative emotions, no middle ground. You have given me so many great verses to study about God’s emotions and some great questions to pray-cess over.
When I think about how God’s anger and hate inform how I look a the world, I first thought about my own actions. If I get caught up in gossip at work, or involved in negative talk about others or whatever is going on in the community or country, I know that angers God. I need to repent and change, because God isn’t going to change his feelings on the subjects that anger Him. I also need to start looking more closely at our world though His eyes. Remember the bracelets, WWJD? I need to take a pause more often and pray-cess over things I see before I say and do. Well, that’s question one. I’m still working on your other two! Excellent questions I will be journaling over!
Good thoughts, Jane Ann. God loves each of us so dearly that He died on the cross to satisfy His anger against sin. It’s the sin He hates, never the people who are sinning.