Anger and God’s Word: Bible Verses about Anger

Anger can be dangerous because it can leave you feeling as if you are out of control. Anger can lead to rash decisions and words that hurt. It is a powerful emotion with extremely destructive consequences. Anger sometimes leaves people broken and families ripped apart. So, what does God’s word say about anger? How does God tell us to handle the provocation of anger? There are many Bible verses about anger. it’s up to us to use them wisely.

Biblical anger

The Bible talks about righteous anger and how it’s different from sinful anger. Righteous anger is understanding there are things about which we can be angry because of what they are according to God. For instance, becoming angry because a child was abused would be righteous anger. On the other hand, sinful anger is what happens you react in anger because of an emotion.

Jesus became angry because of the disrespect that was happening in the temple. This is righteous anger. This is an anger that should provoke change.

The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And within the temple grounds He found those who were selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. And He made a whip of cords, and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; and to those who were selling the doves He said, “Take these things away from here; stop making My Father’s house a place of business!” – John 2:13-16, NASB

Becoming angry because you are prideful and because you want to be right is sinful anger. This anger destroys families and friendships. Sinful anger can also produce self-destruction.

Anger and health

Anger not only affects you spiritually, but it also affects you physically. It can increase blood pressure and cause stress and anxiety. These symptoms will lead to physical ailments that can have long-lasting effects. Because of the effects on your body, anger can cause a shortened life span.

So remove sorrow from your heart and keep pain away from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting. – Ecclesiastes 11:10, NASB

When you become engulfed in anger it increases your chances of cardiac problems. Anger is also linked to a weakened immune system which means it can be harder for you to fight off illnesses. A person who is prone to become angry quickly is also at risk for anxiety and depression.

What is anger?

Understanding what anger is begins with understanding the cause. The most often cited cause of anger is feelings of being hurt in some way by other people. Anger is a reaction to being bullied or belittled. In the simplest definition anger is an emotion that is provoked by others. This emotion can be used to motivate you to change as well as cause you to become saddened or depressed.

Consequences of anger

Not only are there physical consequences of anger, there are also spiritual consequences. anger can cause us to harm others. In our anger, we react in ways that destroy relationships. Not only our relationships with others but our relationship with God. The destruction of these relationships can lead to a buildup of bitterness. There are Bible verses about anger and how it can affect us spiritually.

Bible verses about the consequences of anger

But for Cain and his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his face was gloomy. – Genesis 4:5, NASB

Cain became angry and, in that emotion, he killed his brother.

But now you also, rid yourselves of all of them: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene speech from your mouth. – Colossians 3:8, NASB

Speaking in anger causes us to say things that hurt. This does not show love to others.

Cease from anger and abandon wrath; Do not get upset; it leads only to evildoing. – Psalm 37:8, NASB

Anger can bring a choice of actions that are not reflective of love. Anger can stir up actions of hate.

Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger and dispute. – 1 Timothy 2:8, NASB

We cannot fully worship with a clean heart when we are angry. Our anger comes between us and the Father.

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be answerable to the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be answerable to the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. – Matthew 5:22, NASB

God has asked that we build one another up and not tear each other down in anger.

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. – Galatians 5:19-21, NASB

Anger is not evidence of living a faithful lifestyle. It can lead to condemnation.

Do not be eager in your spirit to be angry, For anger resides in the heart of fools. – Ecclesiastes 7:9, NASB

Anger can keep us from making wise decisions based on God’s leading.

Using Bible verses about anger to manage your anger

There are plenty of Bible verses about anger. When we manage anger, we close the door to that sin in our lives.

Delay anger.

He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly. – Proverbs 14:29, NASB

By delaying anger, we are allowing ourselves to seek God’s direction in the situation.

Be love driven.

He taught me and said to me, “Let your heart take hold of my words; Keep my commandments and live. – Proverbs 4:4, NASB

Our hearts should be driven by love for others as we hold fast to God’s Word.

Don’t allow anger to settle.

Be angry, and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger. – Ephesians 4:29, NASB

Don’t allow anger to settle into your heart and possibly cause temptation for sin.

Beware of another’s anger.

Do not make friends with a person given to anger, or go with a hot-tempered person, or you will learn his ways and find a snare for yourself. – Proverbs 22:24-25, NASB

Don’t find yourself in the middle of anger because of someone else’s anger.

Think before you react.

A hot-tempered person stirs up strife, But the slow to anger calms a dispute. – Proverbs 15:18, NASB

Before you find yourself in the mindset of anger take a minute to examine the reason for anger.

Using Bible verses about anger to defeat your anger

When it comes to defeating anger, allow God to show you what you need to change in your thought process. Read these Bible verses about anger, and allow Him to speak to your heart about the real issue behind the anger.

Search me, God, and know my heart; put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there is any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way. – Psalm 139:23-24, NASB

Taking time to seek God before we react to something that causes us to be angry will improve the outcome of the situation. No matter what is causing you to feel hurt, belittled, bullied, or angry, God can show you what it is and how to let it go.

Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. – 2 Timothy 2:22, NASB

If you find that you are struggling with extreme anger issues, don’t hesitate to contact a Christian counselor near you. They can help with faith-based counseling plans to help you overcome.