Scriptures on Anger

Last week I wrote about 4 things to do with your anger. Anger is a common emotion, and sometimes it can serve a purpose by pushing us into action to get something done. Other times it’s just an emotion that we need to deal with carefully, learning to control it instead of letting it rule our thoughts, choices, decisions, and behaviors.

I have found a helpful way to handle anger is to focus on different scriptures concerning anger. So today I’ve put together a resource page with some helpful scriptures on anger.

Control your anger-don’t let anger control you

“Be angry and do not sin; on your bed, reflect in your heart and be still. Selah” Psalm 4:4 (HCSB)

“Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper–it only leads to harm.” Psalm 37:8 (NLT)

“Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3 (NIV)

“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.” Proverbs 10:12 (NIV)

“Short-tempered people do foolish things, and schemers are hated.” Proverbs 14:17 (NLT)

“People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.” Proverbs 14:29

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)“A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but one slow to anger calms strife.” Proverbs 15:18 (CSB)

“He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.” Proverbs 16:32 (BSB)

“A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.” Proverbs 17:27 (NLT)

“Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.” Proverbs 19:11 (NLT)

“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.” Proverbs 22:24-25 (NIV)

“A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.” Proverbs 25:28 (NLT)

“Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.” Proverbs 29:11 (NLT)

“An angry person starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin.” Proverbs 29:22 (NLT)

“Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool.” Ecclesiastes 7:9 (NLT)

“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Galatians 5:19-23 (NLT)

“Be angry and do not sin…” Ephesians 4:26a (ESV)

“For anger gives a foothold to the devil.” Ephesians 4:27 (NLT)

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT)

“But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.” Colossians 3:8 (NLT)

“In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.” 1 Timothy 2:8 (NLT)

“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” James 1:19 (NLT)

“Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.” James 1:20 (NLT)

“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:17-18 (NLT)

Instead of acting out in anger, allow God to avenge you

“You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Directly rebuke your neighbor, so that you will not incur guilt on account of him. Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:17-18 (BSB)

“I will take revenge; I will pay them back. In due time their feet will slip. Their day of disaster will arrive, and their destiny will overtake them.” Deuteronomy 32:35 (NLT)

“Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you.” Proverbs 20:22 (NIV)

“But the LORD stands beside me like a great warrior. Before him my persecutors will stumble. They cannot defeat me. They will fail and be thoroughly humiliated. Their dishonor will never be forgotten.” Jeremiah 20:11 (NLT)

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31 (NIV)

“Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD.” Romans 12:17-19 (NLT)

“See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.” 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (NLT)

“For we know the one who said, “I will take revenge. I will pay them back.” He also said, “The LORD will judge his own people.” Hebrews 10:30 (NLT)

“Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.” 1 Peter 3:9 (NLT)

Anger is not always bad, even God and His son, Jesus got angry

“God is an honest judge. He is angry with the wicked every day.” Psalm 7:11 (NLT)

“They even sacrificed their own sons and daughters in the fire. They consulted fortune-tellers and practiced sorcery and sold themselves to evil, arousing the LORD’s anger. Because the LORD was very angry with Israel, he swept them away from his presence. Only the tribe of Judah remained in the land.” 2 Kings 17:17-18 (NLT)

“The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his foes and vents his wrath against his enemies.” Nahum 1:2 (NIV)

“But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.” Romans 1:18 (NLT)

“And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.” Mark 3:5 (ESV)

“When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled.” John 11:33 (NLT)

“Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves.” Matthew 21:12 (NLT)

Take Some Practical Steps to Use Scriptures on Anger:

• First, find a few scriptures that you can use when you’re angry.  Pick from the list above, or look for verses that more specifically fit your situation.
• Then, write them on index cards or post it notes and post them where you can see them to help you when you’re feeling angry.  For example put them on the bathroom mirror, the nightstand, on doors, over light switches, on cabinet doors, on your car console, and/or anywhere where your anger is triggered.
• Finally, speak the scriptures out loud and remind God (and yourself) of His promises.  Speaking God’s Word will help to lessen some of the angry feelings and to encourage you.

Which scriptures about anger are most helpful for you? Share them with us by leaving a comment below!

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If you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward!  Share this post via the sharing links below.  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)