So last time we said, based on Psalm 1:1, that if we want to be happy we have to stop taking our advice from the world. But this passage does not suggest a casual dismissal or general disregard for the ungodly sin of the scorner. No, this passage suggests a vehement rejection. We are not simply disagreeing with their counsel. No, this is contempt (Ps 119:128). I know it sounds a little counter-intuitive but if we want to be happy then we first have to get a little angry. That is our second step.

2. We need to get angry at sin.

I know, we are often taught that anger is bad and that we should put away our anger and we should walk around with a valium induced smile on our face. But honestly, I think we should go the other way on this one. And I don’t mean just a little angry. I mean we should get mad! I say we pull a Michael Keaton, grab the fire poker and yell, “You wanna get nuts, come on, let’s get nuts!!!

I know it sounds crazy, but anger may be the answer for all of us. The trouble with our happiness is not that we are angry. Anger is not the opposite of happiness. Our problem is we are angry at the wrong thing. You see your issue Karen, is that you are angry at people (some of you are even angry at God) and what you should be angry at is sin. That’s right, sin is the bad guy.

When the Apostle Paul says we should put away our anger, he is actually saying we should redirect our anger. When it comes to sin, Paul says that we should get revenge!! listen to his words in 2 Corinthians.

For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

2 Corinthians 7:11

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh [Not people]: (For the weapons of our warfare [Paul is saying we should fight] are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations [knock some stuff down], and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity [take some captives] every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

2 Corinthians 10:3-6

You see, we get mad at people. We get mad at friends and family, and that is our problem. We are angry at the wrong thing. Think about it, we walk around angry at church, but then we cuddle up to our sin like it’s our prom date. We get mad at our pastor and go to our sin for therapy. We walk around with our malice on simmer and then we tune into the world on TV like we’re watching our grandkids at a Christmas pageant. Okay maybe I should work on that last analogy, but you get my point.

My point is sin is the villain. Sin may not have destroyed your life yet, but that is certainly sin’s plan. Sin has already stolen from you and he is not done. Sin is never done. It is coming for everything. And what do you do? You forgive it every time. It’s like spiritual Stockholm syndrome. We are in love with our capture and mad at everyone else. Sin is Bernie Madoff and we keep asking how we can invest.

The only solution is for you to get angry enough to end the relationship. You need to start treating your sin less like the love of you life and more like your brother in law who keeps asking for money. And why? Because he is robbing you blind. He has picked your pocket like tourist on the subway. But don’t be fooled, he runs the long con and he will not be satisfied until you are left with nothing.

So the answer to our happiness actually begins with anger. Welcome to crazy town folks!! We need a little crazy anger. We need some of that, “Your husband just cheated on you and went golfing on your birthday” anger. We need to follow sin to work and slash his tires. I am talking a whole, “Farah Fawcett in The Burning Bed” situation here. We need to follow Paul’s advice and take revenge on our sin.

Your problem is not that you are sad or angry. Your problem is that you are not angry enough and you are angry at the wrong thing. Aim that anger at sin and turn up the dial. Exact a little revenge. I promise you’ll feel better tomorrow.

Next time we will discover the actual source of our happiness. Until then.