Ephesians 4:26-27 Now Available by Free As A Bird

May 20

Written By Ryan Gikas

Ephesians 4:26-27 is now available on all streaming platforms!

THE VERSE

[26] Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, [27] and give no opportunity to the devil.

Did you know that you are commanded to be angry in the Bible?

You read that right. You are commanded to be angry. Anger often gets a bad rap in Christian circles and is generally viewed as an unwanted guest. It’s been labeled as a negative emotion, placed in the same camp as sadness or fear. If it happens to rear its ugly head, it should be repressed and stifled at all costs and dismissed as quickly as possible.

What’s interesting to note is Ephesians isn’t the first time we’re commanded to be angry and not sin in the Bible. In this passage, Paul is actually quoting David in Psalm 4:4! It’s a repeat command in Scripture which seems like we should pay attention to it. Not only do Paul and David command us to be angry, but we actually find God being angry throughout that Bible. He’s angry when His people live out of step with the way He created them and seek life elsewhere. He’s angry when power is abused and used to oppress others.

Sadly we attempt to sterilize God and dress Him up as unaffected and stoic. The reality is the God of the Bible shows us a full display of emotion which includes anger.

Sadly we attempt to sterilize God and dress Him up as unaffected and stoic. The reality is the God of the Bible shows us a full display of emotion which includes anger. So much so, God’s anger is actually a manifestation of deep and passionate love and care for His people! The Bible Project comments, “God is not a volatile angry being who loses his cool now and then. Rather, God’s anger is a measured and reasonable response to injustice and evil.” When God gets angry, His anger is always in line with Ephesians 4:26! He is angry but in that anger He does not and will not sin! Jesus who self-describes Himself as gentle and lowly Messiah would get angry when He saw things that weren’t aligned with the kingdom of God! He was angry out of zeal for God’s house (John 2:13-17) and against the religious leaders of the day who had misunderstood and misconstrued the law of God so much so that they were missing God’s original heart (Mark 3:5) and therefore misrepresenting God to God’s people. Righteous anger is actually a sign we care about God and others!

… godly anger moves toward the other person and confronts in love and seeks justice, clarity, and ultimately forgiveness and right relationship.

Immediately following the command to be angry and not sin, we are told to not let the sun go down on our anger and to not give opportunity to the devil. Paul is telling us to not live with prolonged anger. Why? Often sinful anger that we stew in over time leads only to resentment and bitterness and division. James 1:20 says that “human anger does not produce the righteousness of God” (i.e. sinful anger does not produce the righteousness of God). However, godly anger moves toward the other person and confronts in love and seeks justice, clarity, and ultimately forgiveness and right relationship.

Godly anger is a way in which we can image God in our every day lives!

How did your family view and handle anger? What about you?

Where do you see “human anger” that doesn’t produce good fruit in your life?

Is there any anger that has lingered on in your heart in unhealthy ways? What might it look like to “not let the sun go down on your anger” today? Is there anyone you need to talk to or forgive?

What might it look like to foster godly anger in your life (instead of either rejecting anger completely or being dominated by it)?

THE SONG & THE ARTIST

The song was written by Gretyl Baird and produced by her husband Brett. We asked them a few questions about the song and process. You can check it out below.

Was there anything that stood out to you about this verse as you worked on it?
Songs with the words “the devil” are not sung very often in the church. I appreciate that this verse is very pointed in that way, not shying away from a specific “how to” of keeping in right relationship with God and man.

What was the writing process like?
The folky inspiration of this song came from a phone recording, with simple guitar and fuzzy vocals with kids playing in the background. We spruced it up and wanted to add to those organic, vintage-sounding vocals.

Anything else you'd want to share?
Something that made us laugh while recording this after a friend gave a listen… “How do you sing a word like devil so pretty, Gretyl?” Is it okay to laugh at that?

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Song credits:

Writer: Gretyl Baird (ascap:635621552)

Produced / Mixed / Mastered: Brett Baird