Everyone feels anger at some point in their lives. It’s a natural emotion that God gave us. It’s what we do with that anger that is telling. Anger can do a lot of harm if it is not controlled.
The Bible teaches that it is good to control our anger and emotions. After all, our emotions can be very fickle. Let’s examine 10 Bible verses to calm anger when our emotions start to spiral out of control.
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There was a door between me and my son. Inside my son was crying and my anger was seething. There was no logic to my anger. After all, he was just a boy and I was a grown woman who should have a better hold on my emotions. But nonetheless, I was still angry. I was angry that he was out of control. I was angry that he disobeyed. I was angry that I had to deal with a tantrum on that particular day. I felt like he was ‘doing’ this to me. In summary, ‘mom rage‘ was on the edge of spilling over.
Christian counselors indicate that 50 percent of those that they counsel deal with anger issues. Anger can wreak havoc on families and relationships if it is not dealt with properly.
Is anger wrong? No, the Bible seems to indicate that Jesus himself felt anger. However, it’s when that anger turns into sin and harsh words that is the problem.
What Does the Bible Say About Anger?
The Bible has plenty to say about anger. The anger that is not sin is often referred to as ‘righteous indignation,’ such as in Psalms 7:11
God is a righteous judge and a God who feels indignation every day.
Psalm 7:11
Or again in Ephesians,
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”
Ephesians 4:31 (NIV):
An often cited Bible passage of anger comes from John 2:13-18. Here Jesus cleanses the temple after some of the Jews had defiled the temple in Jerusalem. This anger was a God-given energy that was used to solve a problem. Anger used to defend a principal or defend others is much different than anger that involves self-defense or rage against a situation. There are also times when anger indicates that someone has tried to violate our boundaries. There is a right kind of anger and a wrong kind of anger.
David in 2 Samuel also felt anger as Nathan the prophet explained an injustice that had occurred (2 Samuel 12:1–31). It says in verse 5 that “David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man”. Turns out that he was the man, but he felt the injustice of what had occurred which made him angry, as it should have!
Anger that is unproductive, motivated by pride, or allowed to linger often is the kind that we want to avoid.
With all that said, we must acknowledge that anger is a complex subject and we cannot cover all the complexities in one article. Victims of abuse or those who have been violated in some manner feel anger in different ways as they walk their healing journey. A lack of self-control with anger is a completely different thing than a personal situation that leads to another level of healing.
10 Bible Verses about Anger
Everyone gets angry sometimes. That is just a fact of life. You don’t necessarily need to feel guilty about it. However, sometimes anger can spill over into rage and actions that are not honorable. These Bible verses to calm anger can be used when you are feeling the anger start to spill over. These are some of the best bible verses about anger management that I have found, but anger is mentioned more than 500 times in the Bible, so we are really only starting to hit the tip of the iceberg.
Ephesians 4:26-27
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.
Ephesians 4:26-27 ESV
I often think of this verse in regard to marriage. Fighting in marriage is not abnormal, but letting the sun go down on our anger is not fruitful. Work on settling any disagreements before you go to bed, and if that’s not possible spend time personally praying and giving your argument to God.
James 1:19-20
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
James 1:19-20 ESV
Remember my son having a tantrum and me standing at his door seething in anger? This is the verse that often comes to mind when I’m struggling with my parenting. We should be quick to listen to our kids as they work through their immature emotions. Motherhood is messy, but it is also beautiful when we rely on Christ.
Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:4ESV
Are you provoking your children to anger? This verse acknowledges the influential role parents play in shaping the emotional well-being of their children and emphasizes the importance of responsible and nurturing parenting.
The latter part of Ephesians 6:4 encourages parents to bring up their children in the “discipline and instruction of the Lord.” This involves implementing discipline that is fair, consistent, and rooted in love. Discipline should not be punitive but should aim to guide children toward understanding right from wrong. Likewise, instruction in the ways of the Lord helps children develop a moral compass, fostering a sense of purpose and responsibility.
Proverbs 26:4
Answer not a fool according to his folly,
Proverbs 26:4 ESV
lest you be like him yourself.
This is a powerful verse to remember as you parent children. When that rage builds up remember that if you respond in kind to an unreasonable or disobedient child, the Bible guides us not to respond in kind as we will become just like them.
Becoming enraged at a child who is unreasonable or disobedient becomes a vicious cycle. Both of you become in the ‘wrong’ and perhaps even more disturbing is that we ultimately teach our children through example. What type of example are you setting for your children through your anger?
James 1:2-4
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4 ESV
Chances are if you are experiencing anger there is a situation that is not going your way. Remember that this is a chance for sanctification. It’s a chance to grow in Christ. A change in perspective will remind you of the joy you have in Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
You are a new creation in Christ! Your home truly can be a place of healing instead of a destructive place.
Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turns away wrath,
Proverbs 15:1 ESV
When you find yourself in a circumstance that you feel is unjust or wrong, remember this verse. Just because your anger is justified, does not necessarily mean that a strong response is needed. Often a soft answer will gain more traction than a rough one.
Another similar verse in Proverbs comes from the previous chapter. Negative emotions, including fits of anger and obscene talk, can be counteracted by adopting a wise and discerning approach. Proverbs 14:29 warns against being a man of quick temper, noting that it displays folly. A wise person, on the other hand, brings calm to situations through thoughtful and measured responses.
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,
Proverbs 14:29
but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
Proverbs 29:11
A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
Proverbs 29:11 ESV
but a wise man quietly holds it back.
This is another one of those convicting verses as you combat mom rage or general anger. The Bible says that when we give way to our anger, we are a ‘fool’. A patient person will learn that an angry person does not bear the fruit of the spirit and the acts of the flesh and more evident in their life. This is not what we want as believers in Jesus!
If you are finding that you have a hot temper, angry outbursts, or angry thoughts, look to Jesus Christ as your source of peace.
Ephesians 4:29-32
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:29-32 ESV
The passage emphasizes the transformative power of words and actions in shaping our relationships and interactions.
Verse 31 underscores the importance of purging negative emotions such as bitterness, rage, and malice. These emotions, if left unchecked, can fuel anger and disrupt our relationships. Instead, believers are called to rid themselves of these emotions, creating space for kindness and compassion to flourish.
Proverbs 17:27-28
Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,
Proverbs 17:27-28 ESV
and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise.
I love this verse and I think it’s a great one to end on. We gain such knowledge and freedom when we restrain our anger. Anger is not necessarily wrong, there are many circumstances where anger is the appropriate emotion to feel, but we should not let that anger become sinful.
These verses collectively highlight the importance of managing anger wisely, exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit, and striving for righteousness in our interactions with others. The overarching message is one of self-control, patience, and a commitment to building a community reflective of God’s love and principles.
Other Bible Verses About Anger
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy,drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21
The concept of “works of the flesh” refers to behaviors driven by sinful desires. Anger, especially when expressed through fits of anger or obscene talk, can be considered one of these works. Galatians 5:19-21 highlights the contrast between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit, emphasizing the need to overcome negative emotions.
Calm Your Anger
God’s desire for us to maintain holy hands and a calm spirit is rooted in the understanding that a hot-tempered person is more prone to engage in actions contrary to the principles of the kingdom of God. The New Testament, in particular, addresses the issue of anger and urges believers to be mindful of their emotions. Ephesians 4:26-27 (NIV) states, “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.” This passage underscores the importance of addressing and resolving anger promptly to prevent it from turning into sinful anger or a form of malice.
God encourages the development of good sense and wisdom in managing emotions, especially anger. Proverbs 15:1 (NIV) says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” This biblical wisdom emphasizes the power of thoughtful and measured responses, contributing to peaceful interactions and relationships.
Ultimately, the call to keep anger in check is not just about personal well-being; it extends to the broader mission of promoting God’s kingdom on earth. By embodying the virtues of patience, self-control, and gentleness, believers can be effective ambassadors of God’s love and contribute to a world characterized by harmony rather than strife.
In the labyrinth of life’s challenges, navigating through difficult situations often stirs the cauldron of human emotions, including angry feelings. It is during these moments that God’s word serves as a guiding light, offering wisdom on managing and mitigating anger. By adhering to the principles of patience, self-control, and forgiveness embedded in God’s teachings, individuals can transform their responses to adversity. Recognizing that anger, while a natural emotion, can be counterproductive, God’s word provides a blueprint for turning the heat of anger into opportunities for growth, understanding, and grace. In the tapestry of existence, weaving God’s guidance into our responses to difficult situations not only tempers our angry feelings but also fosters an environment where love, compassion, and divine wisdom prevail.
May you find these Bible verses to calm anger helpful as you consider your anger and grow in God’s truth
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