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
15 Most Important Bible Verses about Anger
The emotion of anger is not necessarily negative so long as it is used in the appropriate context and as the appropriate response. Jesus Christ Himself was angered at times, but His anger was always the appropriate response and justified. Hence, anger itself is not the sin. It is the expression of anger that can be if we are not careful.
Throughout the Gospels, unrighteous, unprovoked, vengeful and wrathful anger is condemned. Unfortunately, it is this very kind of anger many experience; the kind of anger that is harmful (if not catastrophic) to families, friendships, our neighbors, careers, lives and, dare we say, our salvation. Moreover, this kind of anger takes a negative toll on us physically, emotionally and spiritually, leaving us drained of energy, bitter and resentful. Make no mistake, the devil loves when we are angry. He knows it zaps us of all our power, alienates us for his more sinister intentions, and blocks us from living the blessed life we are called to lead (see Eph. 6:12). So if you are feeling angry today, it is time for some inner house-cleaning. It is time to rid yourself of those dark, heavy feelings that have plagued you for too long and, as Jesus says, leads only to evil (Ps. 37:8).
One of the best ways to rid yourself of harmful, unwanted and unproductive anger is to read Scripture. Reading and meditating on the Word of God is paramount to beating evil forces and restoring your soul to peace. As you read over these 15 Most Important Bible Verses about Anger, allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you. Allow Him to reveal to you where you may be harboring anger in your heart, and then weed it out through the power of Christ. Forgiveness, kindness, love and mercy are the key’s to our sanctification and to God’s heart (see Gal. 5:22-23). When we do our part and let go of anger, He will do His part and fill us with love — and that is where the miracles are.
15 Most Important Bible Verses about Anger
Psalm 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.
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.
Proverbs 14:29
He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.
Ephesians 4:26-27, 31-32
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.
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.
Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Matthew 5:22
But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, “You good-for-nothing,” shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, “You fool,” shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.
Proverbs 15:18
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but the slow to anger calms a dispute.
Colossians 3:7-10
You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of [your] Creator.
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.
Ecclesiastes 7:9
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
Proverbs 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.
Psalm 4:3-5
But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for Himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him. Be angry, and [yet] do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds [instead], and be silent. Selah. Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord.
Leviticus 19:17-18
You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.
Proverbs 19:11
A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression.
Psalm 86:15
But You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
For Reflection
We are called to be men and women of God, beholding all the righteous virtues of Christ. The Good Lord, however, will not expect of us something that He Himself is not or does not possess. Here are 5 beautiful verses describing the Lord’s attributes as it pertains to anger:
Psalm 145:8
The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
Exodus 34:6-7
The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.
Psalm 30:5
For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
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.
Psalm 103:8
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
