Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:5

Can we be angry with someone we love? Of course, but we cannot long remain in such a state. Either our love will gain the upper hand, or our anger will harden into bitterness.

We bump into warnings about bitterness throughout the New Testament. Stephen told the ruling counsel, “For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness” (Acts 8:23). Paul told us to get rid of all “bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking” (Ephesians 4:31). Colossians warns husbands against developing bitterness toward their wives (Colossians 3:19). And the book of Hebrews warns that when a root of bitterness springs up, it causes trouble and defiles many (Hebrews 12:15).

Agape love and sinful anger cannot long exist…