Anger is a strong emotion that can impact our lives positively and negatively. It can inspire us to take constructive action when in check and properly communicated. Anger out of control, however, can result in negative behavior and strained relationships. The Bible emphasizes the value of patience, forgiveness, and self-control while providing insight and direction on controlling anger.
Bible Verse On Controlling Anger
Are you seeking guidance on managing anger? Bible verses on controlling anger provide the insights and inspiration needed to cultivate patience and a peaceful spirit. We’ll look at a number of Bible scriptures in this post that offer guidance on managing our anger and preserving harmony in our relationships.
1. The Dangers of Uncontrolled Anger
1. Proverbs 29:11
“Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.”
2. James 1:19-20
“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.”
3. Proverbs 14:29
“Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.”
4. Ecclesiastes 7:9
“Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.”
5. Psalm 37:8
“Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.”
6. Proverbs 15:18
“A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.”
7. Proverbs 22:24-25
“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.”
8. Matthew 5:22
“But I tell you that anyone angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
9. Galatians 5:19-21
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
10. Ephesians 4:31
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”
The Power of Forgiveness
11. Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
12. Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
13. Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
14. Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
15. Mark 11:25
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
16. Matthew 18:21-22
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'”
17. Romans 12:17-18
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
18. Proverbs 19:11
“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
19. 1 Peter 4:8
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
20. Psalm 103:12
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
Practicing Patience
21. Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
22. Romans 12:12
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
23. James 5:7-8
“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.”
24. Proverbs 16:32
“Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.”
25. 2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
26. Colossians 1:11
“Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.”
27. Ecclesiastes 7:8
“The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.”
28. Ephesians 4:2
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
29. 1 Thessalonians 5:14
“And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”
30. James 1:4
“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Seeking Peace
31. Hebrews 12:14
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
32. Romans 14:19
“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”
33. 1 Peter 3:10-11
“For, ‘Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.'”
34. Psalm 34:14
“Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
35. Colossians 3:15
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
36. Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
37. 2 Corinthians 13:11
“Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”
38. Philippians 4:7
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
39. Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
40. James 3:18
“Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”
The Role of Self-Control
41. 2 Timothy 1:7
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
42. Proverbs 25:28
“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.”
43. 1 Corinthians 9:25
“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”
44. Galatians 5:23
“Gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
45. Titus 1:8
“Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.”
46. 1 Peter 4:7
“The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.”
47. Proverbs 16:32
“Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.”
48. 1 Thessalonians 5:6
“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.”
49. 1 Peter 5:8
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
50. 1 Corinthians 6:12
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but I will not be mastered by anything.”
Turning to God in Prayer
51. Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
52. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Pray continually.”
53. James 5:16
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
54. Matthew 6:6
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
55. Psalm 145:18
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
56. Jeremiah 33:3
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
57. 1 John 5:14
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
58. Colossians 4:2
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
59. Romans 12:12
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
60. Ephesians 6:18
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
Examples of Righteous Anger
61. John 2:13-16
“When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves, he said, ‘Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!'”
62. Mark 3:5
“He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.”
63. Numbers 25:11
“Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, has turned my anger away from the Israelites. Since he was as zealous for my honor among them as I am, I did not put an end to them in my zeal.”
64. Exodus 32:19
“When Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, his anger burned and he threw the tablets out of his hands, breaking them to pieces at the foot of the mountain.”
65. Nehemiah 5:6-7
“When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry. I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them, ‘You are charging your own people’s interest!’ So I called together a large meeting to deal with them.”
66. Psalm 7:11
“God is a righteous judge, a God who displays his wrath every day.”
67. Romans 1:18
“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness.”
68. Nahum 1:2-3
“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. The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.”
69. Ephesians 4:26
“In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”
70. Matthew 21:12-13
“Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. ‘It is written,’ he said to them, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.'”
God’s Patience and Mercy
71. Exodus 34:6
“And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.'”
72. 2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
73. Joel 2:13
“Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.”
74. Psalm 103:8
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.”
75. Micah 7:18-19
“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight in showing mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.”
76. Nahum 1:3
“The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet.”
77. Romans 2:4
“Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”
78. Isaiah 30:18
“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!”
79. Lamentations 3:22-23
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
80. Jonah 4:2
“He prayed to the Lord, ‘Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.'”
Conclusion
Although anger is a normal emotion, it needs to be managed and communicated in a way that is consistent with what God has taught. A plethora of guidance on controlling anger, prioritizing forgiveness, patience, self-control, and pursuing peace may be found throughout the Bible. We can learn how to manage our anger in a way that pleases God and promotes wholesome relationships with others by consulting God’s Word. Let us make an effort to live as examples of compassion, tolerance, and understanding so that God’s love and peace can rule our hearts.
