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There is a true and false version of just about everything. Righteous indignation is a true form where the motives are noble and in harmony with the law and character of God. Same goes for righteous/holy sorrow. Godly Sorrow vs Worldly Sorrow "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death". -2. Corinthians 7:10 (death here would be spiritual death first and foremost) Godly sorrow is linked to fruits of righteousness "See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.» 2. Cor 7:11 Two types of Wisdom and reasoning: Wisdom from the spirit of the world vs Wisdom from the spirit of God Read 1. Corinthians 4:1 and 1. Corinthians 3:19 Read also 1. Corinthians chapter 2 and 3. Righteous vs unrighteous indignation/anger Ellen White: "It is true there is an indignation that is justifiable, even in the followers of Christ. When they see that God is dishonored, and His service brought into disrepute, when they see the innocent oppressed, a righteous indignation stirs the soul. Such anger, born of sensitive morals, is not a sin." - Desire of Ages. To repress it would actually be a sin. The innocent oppressed also mean those who are under the deceptions and entanglements and false doctrines of Satan. That if cherished could have eternal consequences, not just consequences for this short life. If we believe, the eternal subjects will stir our soul with a holy zeal much more than matters revolving around this temporal life, that is more a test and education and purification stage of a very short time span compared to eternity. More on righteous indignation from Ellen White: Christ's Holy Wrath *Christ's indignation was directed against the hypocrisy, the gross sins, by which men were destroying their own souls, deceiving the people and dishonoring God*. In the specious deceptive reasoning of the priests and rulers He discerned the working of satanic agencies.” -The Desire of Ages, pages 619.5 “The Lord hates the mixture he saw in the earthly temple. Unholy bartering in the temple courts brought forth the righteous indignation of an insulted God.” “And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.’ Luke 19:41, 42. And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves, and said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves. Matthew 21:12, 13. It was here divinity flashed through humanity, and the priests and rulers fled from before him; for there was as the appearance of a flashing sword, turning every way like the sword to guard the tree of life.If ever there was a time when things should be called by their right name, it is now. This is no time to call sin righteousness, and righteousness sin. We must lay hold by faith now. It is time for every one to be wide-awake. I may have to write still more plainly if God calls for me to do it. I shall speak, and shall not hold my peace. “Every man, woman, and child that is not under the control of the Spirit of God is under the influence of Satan's sorcery, and by his words and example he will lead others away from the path of truth.” “When the transforming grace of Christ is upon the heart, a righteous indignation will take possession of the soul because the sinner has so long neglected the great salvation that God has provided for him. He will then surrender himself, body, soul, and spirit, to God and will withdraw from companionship with Satan, through the grace given him of God. He will, like the Ephesians, denounce sorcery, and will cut the last thread that binds him to Satan. He will leave the banner of the prince of darkness, and will come under the bloodstained banner of Prince Emmanuel. He will burn the magical books.” —The Youth's Instructor, November 16, 1893. "Though his love for Israel was so great that he was willing to lay down his own life for them, yet his zeal for the glory of God moved him to anger, which found expression in this act of such terrible significance. God did not rebuke him. The breaking of the tables of stone was but a representation of the fact that Israel had broken the covenant which they had so recently made with God. It is a righteous indignation against sin, which springs from zeal for the glory of God, not that anger prompted by self-love or wounded ambition, which is referred to in the scripture, “Be ye angry and sin not.” Such was the anger of Moses.» - Special testimonies p 46. So we can see that the two types of various traits and conditions and reactions depends on the motive and reason and source. Is it in harmony with the spirit and law of God, or the spirit and law of the world? There is therefore a righteous/holy form and an unrighteous form of JOY, INDIGNATION, LOVE, SORROW, WISDOM and so on. Beware, because Satan in the channel of spiritualism and new age philosophies and teachings that has crept silently into Christianity, paints it otherwise. (Take Eckhart Tolle for instance). Be not deceived on this issue either. This is in line with the Babylonian Christ, Antichrist, and his teachings. It is not the label of the teachings, but the teachings themselves. They may very well have good intentions and mean well with their advices. But we have to discern whether it in harmony with the temporal perspective of this world, or the everlasting perspective of God? Is it suitable in the school of this life, or in the higher school of God? We have to learn to differentiate between good and evil by CONTENT, more than labels. We are not here to be robots or act like we are zombies = spiritually dead. We are also to act appropriately in accordance to the present time and circumstance. While Satan would have you sleep and become like creepy robots, empty, non reactive, and without a zeal for God. There is a time to weep and a time to rejoice. What time are we living in right now? What should we be doing? It is largely about time and circumstance, and balance. This world also measure love and fear with regards to energy. It has nothing to do with that or anything either fallen angels or humans can truly measure. Neither by chakra, aura or neurotransmitters. God's ways are so much grander and sensible compared to these counterfeits. When you get to learn God's standards and true versions, and to a fuller degree, these other worldly versions will sink like sand. Being a coward in the eyes of God has to do with conscious choices, and the reverse, that is boldness, involve making tough, difficult choices and spiritual sacrifices. And often over longer periods of time (involving longsuffering), or repeatedly. Letting go of everything that hold you chained to this world. Those are sacrifices that are harder than anyone can imagine, until they are faced with the same. It also involve daring to stand up for your faith, for Christ, no matter what consequences that follows. No matter if you sometimes will have to stand alone against a crowd. Because it can require making some very dramatic spiritual sacrifices. Loss of support, loss of friends and family, daring to be called crazy in a country where nobody utter a prayer or the name of Christ in public. Or going against popular theories in the world or the churches. Being faced with the vilest of accusations. Daring to stand alone, which is anything but easy. Having to make tough and unpopular choices and so on. Being prepared to give an answer, and devote yourself to a work that almost nobody value or recognizes. Being startled if a mouse jumps at you in the kitchen has nothing to do with cowardice and nothing to do with the rudiments of God. It is straight out absurd to even compare them. I would say, an abomination in the sight of God. At least when one should know so much better. The love of God simply is too great for words. “Yes, even though He slay me, yet will I serve Him”. Because in that way we can be educated and disciplined and become recreated in the image of God. Without the education and discipline of God we will remain fallen, stuck in the image of the beast. It is also the way in which the truth could gain a greater victory. Well, if you have eyes to see that is. To have a limited, low view of God and His law and order, is to take His name and character in vain. Entire series: "The Kingdom of God vs. The Kingdom of this World"
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