Scriptures on Anger to Help Cool Your Temper

Have you ever been really angry whether it’s a mild form of frustration or the serious kind of anger you might describe as “seeing red”? That question might seem rhetorical. Of course, you’ve been angry. We all have. It’s a fundamental human emotion.

Think about the last time you were mad. Maybe it was on the road, driving home from work. Traffic seems to bring out our innate rage quickly. What about in one of your relationships? Who were you upset at, and why? How did you deal with it?

As Christians, we label anger as sin, yet not all anger is actually sinful. What does the Bible say about anger? When is it justified, and how do we overcome sinful anger issues?

Scriptures on Anger

Anger is a key theme in Scripture, especially in the book of Proverbs and in Paul’s and James’ epistles. Let’s look at some Bible verses about anger to understand how we can approach this emotion righteously.

1. Key Concepts in Managing Anger

‘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

These verses about anger in Ephesians succinctly lay out three important principles about managing ourselves when we’re provoked.

First: Don’t sin in your anger.

This verse reminds us that righteous anger is possible. Many situations in this fallen world can evoke a justifiably angry response. When that emotion rises, pause and examine it.

Second: Don’t allow lingering resentment.

Resolve issues as soon as possible. If you can’t fix something in a relationship, ask God to purify your heart and help you love. If you are angry for a good reason, ask God to help you know what to do about it.

Third: Avoid making room for Satan.

The enemy of our souls loves when we cherish rage and resentment in our hearts. Anger burns us from the inside out. Don’t allow it to damage your soul.

2. Listening vs. Reacting

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

Here are three more principles that guide us in holy behavior in our relationships.

First: Be quick to listen.

Speaking without hearing can lead to misunderstanding, conflict, and words you’ll regret speaking later.

Second: Be slow to speak.

It’s not wrong to talk, of course, but wait and consider before opening your mouth, especially if your emotions might get the best of you.

Third: Be slow to anger.

Why? Because when we’re angry in our flesh, we aren’t being righteous before God.

It’s difficult for us to slow down our minds, emotions, and responses. It takes wisdom, patience, and grace. We have to rely on God instead of ourselves and be humble enough not to rush to assumptions or judgment.

3. The Power of Self-Control

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. – Proverbs 29:11

You might have heard that repressing your anger is harmful, so at first glance, this verse about anger could be confusing. But our goal isn’t to repress, it’s to wisely express, and that often involves waiting.

In this verse, we see that venting frustration is rarely constructive. We can recognize foolishness when a person is unwilling to restrain their emotions but feels justified in imposing them on others.

A wise person knows what’s going on inside, but chooses to keep those feelings under check. That might mean waiting to have a conversation until you feel calm, or deciding to overlook minor annoyances.

4. Diffusing Conflict

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. – Proverbs 15:1

Each of us has to take an individual approach to anger management and boundaries in our relationships. We are responsible for our responses to others, and we can’t control how they respond to us. That’s Boundaries 101, right?

But, we are still responsible to each other. To achieve healthy interdependence, we need to recognize how our words can either provoke someone or help them.This Bible verse about anger reminds us that answering someone gently can diffuse a tense situation, but reacting harshly usually has the opposite effect.

Consider how you can apply this concept to your role as an employee, spouse, parent, friend, etc. We can’t guarantee positive responses from others, but we can do our part to make communication kinder and gentler.

5. Overcoming Insults

Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult. – Proverbs 12:16

The proverbs constantly paint a contrast between a wise and foolish person. This Scripture on anger is similar to the illustration in point #3 above: a foolish person unleashes what’s inside, but a wise person has self-control.

Do insults give us the right to react with anger? Often, we get angry about situations that don’t even involve insults. But when someone directly attacks you, it can feel impossible to not respond in kind.

Yet, God’s Word reminds us that overlooking an insult is a mark of wisdom, born out of humility and trust in God. If we derive our sense of self-worth from the Lord, and we don’t have a prideful heart, we have nothing to prove to others. We can take the pain of their words to prayer, and avoid lashing out at them to pay back their insult.

6. Getting Rid of Sinful Anger

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

This list underscores the attributes that are not befitting of a Christian. Anger and rage head the list, followed by malice (a desire to harm others), slander (making false accusations), and bad language.

God takes these actions seriously; they are not pleasing to him. As believers in Christ, we must work diligently to get rid of them; his Word commands it, and that implies that it won’t always be easy. We’re still prone to anger and bitterness and venting our spirits with evil words. We have to deliberately “take off” these behaviors and put on “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (v. 12).

If you are a Christian with anger issues, you need to prioritize overcoming this sin. Often, sin must be brought into the light of accountability and community in order to get rid of it. Whether that means speaking with a Christian counselor or sharing your struggle with a pastor, Christian friend, or small group, don’t give room for the devil by allowing anger to be a pattern in your life.

7. Letting God Work

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. – Romans 12:19-21

Jesus turned the world upside down with his paradoxical command to love your enemies (Luke 6:27-28). Yet this is our call as believers. Many times, we will be insulted or provoked, yet we are not to take matters into our own hands.

There are times for seeking protection or justice from the authorities God has provided (Romans 13:1), but we should never seek revenge; instead, we can trust that God will bring justice in his time. None of this is easy, but with God’s help, we can walk in freedom from anger, relying on him to provide grace to live a life of love (Ephesians 5:2).