Can we be honest for a minute? Life isn't perfect, and we're not happy all the time. That's not surprising to any of us, but for some reason, it can be difficult for us to talk about it. But there are times in all of our lives when we feel angry. Anger is a core emotion we all feel to varying degrees throughout life. Someone's anger has caused us to be mistreated, and our anger has caused us to mistreat others.
What does God have to say about us feeling angry? Are there Bible verses to help with anger? Yes! The Bible is a message of God's great love for us, and there are Bible scriptures to help with anger. Let’s explore how the Bible can help us when we're mad.
Does Anger Equate to Sin?
The Bible often notes a difference between plain-old anger and righteous anger. We see this distinction in Bible verses for when you are angry. Normal anger, which tends to be sinful, is anger that comes from pride or selfishness – like flipping someone off when they cut you off in traffic. Righteous anger would be when you have anger about what makes God angry – think anger due to a serious sin, anger because of an attack on God’s children, or anger because of deception when evil things are done in the name of God.
It’s helpful to note that even God feels angry sometimes. Bible verses on anger prove this! Think of when Moses came down from the mountain after an encounter with God and discovered Aaron and the Israelites sacrificing to a golden calf! (Exodus 32: 1-14) Or when Jesus flipped tables in the temple of God because of the injustice, deception, and selfish pride of those selling in the temple! (Matthew 21:12-17)
Apart from righteous anger, anger that is born from a place of sin or causes us to sin is sinful. Keep reading to learn what the Bible says about anger, being angry, and Bible scriptures to help with anger.
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Bible Verses Warn Us About Temper
Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. - Proverbs 14:29
This scripture about temper shows the difference between being patient and being easily angered. Patience and self-control in situations can lead to greater understanding, which can lead to improved relationships. However, responding with a quick temper gives the opposite result and leads us to less understanding and more strained relationships. If you’re looking to learn more about wisdom and self-control, Proverbs has several Bible verses to help with anger.
A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. - Proverbs 15:18
The Book of Proverbs strikes again with Bible scriptures to help with anger! This verse says anger can create and escalate conflict, and patience will de-escalate conflict. This doesn't mean we need to be passive pushovers when disagreements happen. Rather, we need to show patience and self-control and take the time to gain understanding.
Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper -- it only leads to harm. - Psalm 37:8 (NLT)
Bible verses to help with anger are pretty clear on this one! We tend to get angry when we are frustrated, fearful, or in pain. These are all valid feelings that need to be addressed and cared for. But, as this Bible verse for when you are angry states, losing your temper will only lead to harm. Instead, we need to bring our pain to Jesus.
Bible Verses About Anger Taking Root in our Hearts
“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. - Ephesians 4:26-27
This Bible verse for when you are angry shows that anger itself is not a sin, but it can lead us to sin if we allow it to remain too long in our lives. What is a "foothold?" One definition is: "A firm or secure position that provides a base for further advancement." A secure position that provides further advancement. We certainly do not want evil to advance securely in our lives! Bible scriptures to help with anger encourage us to process or let go of anger quickly.
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. - James 4:1-2
As humans, we are selfish. We want what we don't have. Whether it's jealousy, disappointment, frustration, or unforgiveness -- all are desires that battle within us and can cause us to lash out at others around us. Take some time to ask yourself: "What desires battle within me that causes me to argue or get angry in my relationships?" When you answer that question, ask God to help you.
Scripture Tells Us to Release Anger and Pursue Peace
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. - Ephesians 4:31-32
The Bible for when you are angry doesn't just tell us what we should remove from our lives, it tells us what to do instead. God doesn't just want to take things away and leave us empty. Just the opposite! God wants our lives to be filled with all the good things He has for us! This Bible verse to help with anger reminds us that as we rid ourselves of bitterness and rage, we can fill our lives with kindness, compassion, and forgiveness.
Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back. - Proverbs 29:11
This Bible verse to help with anger tells us that if we vent anger quickly, we are like a fool. However, if we hold back our anger, we are considered wise! It may seem silly to run to Bible verses when you are angry, but it can help calm your soul and give you peace of mind.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. - Colossians 3:15
God's peace is larger, greater, and more complete than we can imagine. This Bible scripture to help with anger drives us to choose the peace of God. God doesn't want us to have just a portion of His peace in our hearts. He wants His peace to rule in our hearts! Every decision and every relationship can be ruled by peace. Peace is the authority, and peace has control. This is what God desires for us and calls us to live.
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. - 2 Timothy 2:22
When someone "flees," they are running away. When they "pursue," they are running toward something. This Bible verse to help with anger invites us to flee from hate, turn our back on it, fix our eyes forward, and chase after righteousness, faith, love, peace, and a pure heart. In other words, pursue Jesus and your relationship with Him.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. - James 1:19-20
When we're angry, it's easy to get stuck in our own thoughts and feelings. We're focused on the next point in our argument or some quick comeback. But this Bible verse to help with anger tells us to do the opposite. We need to be quick to listen, not quick to respond. Bible scriptures to help with anger remind us to be slow to speak, not slow to understand. This helps everyone have space to connect and consider the other person. We may think we have a real zinger that will "win" the argument, but our anger won't produce what God desires for us.
Bible Verses to Help With Anger
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. - Psalm 37:8
Looking for bible verses to help with anger? Psalm 37:8 offers powerful advice for managing anger. This Bible verse for when you are angry encourages all to refrain from wrath and rage as it leads to evil. It's a helpful reminder from the Bible for anyone struggling with their temper. This is a great one to remember. When emotions rise, turn to Bible verses when you are angry for guidance.
But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. - Colossians 3:8
Bible verses to help with anger often give us direct commands to choose a different way. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, we have the spirit of self-control. Through the spirit of self-control, we can rid ourselves of rage, slander, and filthy talk. Remembering Bible scriptures to help with anger can help you feel calm in times of intensity.
A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated. - Proverbs 14:17
Ever heard the phrase “Don’t make decisions while you’re angry?” Phrases like this find their roots in Bible scriptures to help with anger. Bible verses for when you are angry are full of wisdom to help. As we see in Proverbs 14:17, we are encouraged to control our temper so that we don’t do foolish things. It’s good to follow the ways of Jesus and the scriptures
You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart; you may certainly rebuke your neighbor, but you are not to incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance, nor hold any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord. - Leviticus 19:17-18
If you’ve been searching for Bible verses when you are angry, Leviticus 19:17-18 offers practical tools to help. Bible scriptures to help with anger always invite us to prefer the other person and to take care of our hearts, being sure not to hold grudges. Learning how to love your neighbor as yourself takes time, but thankfully, there is grace through Jesus.
God is Gracious
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love." - James 1:19-20
God is slow to anger. He is abundantly patient with us through all our mistakes. Isn't that great news?! Not only that, but God is our ultimate source of all compassion and grace. Not only does He show us compassion and grace, but He also gives us the ability to extend compassion and grace to others. It is God's love that overflows in our lives to those around us. Bible verses to help with anger point us to our Heavenly Father who is by nature, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Conclusion
Although it is a discipline we grow in, controlling our tempers, honoring others, and learning to love our enemies are at the core of being a disciple of Jesus. While it may not be the easiest during certain seasons, there is grace because of Jesus to follow in His ways and to become more like Him. Bible scriptures to help with anger help us to become more like God.
We do this by reading our Bibles daily, living in Christian community, attending a healthy, Bible-believing Church, and praying often! Listen to our podcast, Ask About My Faith, to hear stories of encouragement, hope, and testimonies from normal people who are following God and sharing His message with the world!
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