What Does the Bible Say About Anger?

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

The simplest anger-management tool in Scripture — a soft answer.

A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control.

Emotional self-control is a mark of wisdom, not weakness.

Don't seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God's wrath. For it is written, 'Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.'

Releasing anger to God is not passivity — it is trusting His justice.

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don't fret; it leads only to evildoing.

Anger left to simmer leads somewhere we don't want to go.

But I tell you, that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgment.

Jesus raises the standard — anger toward a brother carries moral weight.

He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.

Slowness to anger is a sign of deep understanding, not passivity.

Don't be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.

Habitual anger finds its home in the foolish person.

But now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth.

Anger is listed among the things believers are to lay aside completely.

One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.

Self-mastery over anger is greater than military conquest.

Stand in awe, and don't sin. Search your own heart on your bed, and be still.

In anger — pause. Stillness prevents the sin that anger tempts toward.

Yahweh said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? Why has the expression of your face fallen? If you do well, won't it be lifted up? If you don't do well, sin crouches at the door. Its desire is for you, but you are to rule over it.'

God warns Cain — undealt-with anger becomes sin's open door.

Don't befriend a hot-tempered man, and don't associate with one who harbors anger; lest you learn his ways, and ensnare your soul.

Anger is contagious — choose your companions wisely.

but you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness.

God models patience and forgiveness — the opposite of ungoverned anger.

Then Peter came and said to him, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I don't tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven.'

Forgiveness is the practical answer to anger — repeated, unlimited.

The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense.

Overlooking offenses is not weakness — it is glorious discretion.

Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger...

Outbursts of anger are listed as works of the flesh — not of the Spirit.

He made a whip of cords, and threw all of them out of the temple... He said to those who sold the doves, 'Take these things out of here! Don't make my Father's house a marketplace!'

Jesus' righteous anger — controlled, purposeful, and for God's glory.

Yahweh is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness.

God's character reveals the goal — slow to anger and rich in love.

Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.

Uncontrolled anger leaves us as defenseless as a city with no walls.