Bible Verses for Anger Management

 

Bible Verses for Anger Management

April 23, 2024 | 

This article was written and published by Faith in Recovery

 Everyone gets angry sometimes.

It’s normal. But many people struggle with a constant feeling of anger and rage, either towards themselves or others. When left unchecked, these feelings can lead us to do things that we later regret. People in addiction recovery often struggle with anger because they are ashamed or upset at themselves for their past behavior. As a Christian drug rehab, we understand that to overcome guilt and shame, you must address feelings like anger head-on. To help those in recovery from addiction and battling with anger, we’re sharing some of the best Bible verses for anger management.

What the Bible Says About Anger

According to the Bible, anger occurs when our desires rule us. These desires can include love, fear, hope, longing, respect, control, and more. When any desire, even well-intentioned ones, takes precedence over our desire to please God, things get out of hand. When our desires take over and aren’t met, we become angry. So basically, the root of our anger is our desires.

In James 4:1 to 3, it reads, “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” James had the right idea. Here, he was pointing out that when our desires are not fulfilled the way we want them to be, we act out in anger.

In James 1: 13 to 16, it’s also written, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.” It’s common for people to place the blame on God and others when they’re angry. “Why are you doing this to me? What did I do to deserve this?” Oftentimes, we’re the instigators of our own problems. As James wrote, God never tempts us, but rather it’s our desires that sway our emotions and behaviors.

God also talks about anger in these Bible verses: “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil” (Psalm 37:8) and,

“People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.” (Proverbs 14:29). He wants us to understand that acting out in anger often ends in sin and “great foolishness.” People have been hurt by their loved ones, lied to, and even killed as a result of anger and rage. In the case of a person who struggled with addiction, anger can easily lead to relapse. If you’re still struggling with drug cravings or close to relapse, our stabilization program at Faith in Recovery can help you stay on track.

Bible Verses to Calm Anger

It’s important to remember that, contrary to popular belief, anger itself is not a sin. Rather, it’s how we manage our anger that determines whether or not we sin. There are plenty of instances of anger in the Bible that were not followed by sinful actions. Even Jesus has felt angry.

For example, in Mark 3:5, Jesus was angry with the Pharisees due to the hardness of their hearts. Yet, He was not vengeful or hateful but rather carried on his work of healing and allowed them to absorb what they may. Even so, many anger issues in the Bible were followed by sinful actions and behaviors, which lead to a whole other mess of problems.

If you’re struggling with anger in addiction recovery, you may feel angry towards yourself or your loved ones for not being there to support you. You may also have been struggling with anger since you first started using drugs or drinking, and now it’s time to manage it. If you’re in this situation, below are some anger management verses in the Bible that can mentally and spiritually bring you back to focusing on God and slowly help you overcome anger.

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.

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.

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

Ecclesiastes 7:9: Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.

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

Ephesians 4:31-32: 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.

Luke 6:31: Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Psalm 4:4: Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.

Proverbs 14:16 – 17: The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence. Short-tempered people do foolish things, and schemers are hated.

Although there are plenty of Bible verses to calm down anger, it’s not enough to just read these verses. You have to find ways to apply them to your life. For instance, Proverbs 14:16-17 reads, “The wise are cautious and avoid danger….” This means that you need to be wise about the situations you put yourself in. If you received alcohol treatment and you’re struggling with the desire to drink, don’t go to a club or a party where you know alcohol will be abundant. While it’s not guaranteed to be easy, God can help you overcome anything.

Posted in Hope & Restoration Found at https://faithrecoveryhope.org/bible-verses-for-anger-management-

 

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7 Bible Verses About Anger

Who can stand before you when once your anger is roused?

Logos Staff 5 min read September 9, 2022         https://www.logos.com/grow/7-bible-verses-about-anger/

anger [ ang-ger ]

Also called: Bitterness, Contempt, Hate, Hatred, Resentment

A strong feeling of displeasure aroused by a wrong, whether real or perceived.

Top Bible Verses about Anger

1. Genesis 4:4–5

and Abel also brought an offering from the choicest firstlings of his flock. And God looked with favor to Abel and to his offering, but to Cain and to his offering he did not look with favor. And Cain became very angry, and his face fell. Read Genesis 4:4–5

2. Proverbs 29:22

A man of anger will stir strife, and the owner of anger, much transgression. Read Proverbs 29:22

Here's a new translation of Proverbs 29:11, which gives it a different connotation. 

3. Matthew 5:22

But I say to you that everyone who is angry at his brother will be subject to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Stupid fool!’ will be subject to the council, and whoever says, ‘Obstinate fool!’ will be subject to fiery hell. Read Matthew 5:2

4. Mark 3:1–5

And he entered into the synagogue again, and a man who had a withered hand was there. And they were watching him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath, in order that they could accuse him. And he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Come into the middle.” And he said to them, “Is it permitted on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. And looking around at them with anger, grieved at the hardness of their hearts, he said to the man, "Stretch forth your hand." And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. Read Mark 3:1–5

5. John 2:13–17

And the Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And he found in the temple courts those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated. And he made a whip of cords and drove them all out of the temple courts, both the sheep and the oxen, and he poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. And to the ones selling the doves he said, “Take these things away from here! Do not make my Father’s house a marketplace!” His disciples remembered that it was written, "The zeal of your house has eaten me up." Read John 2:13–17

6. Galatians 5:19–21

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are sexual immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, things which I am telling you in advance, just as I said before, that the ones who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Read Galatians 5:19–21

7. James 1:19–20

Understand this, my dear brothers: every person must be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish the righteousness of God. Read James 1:19–20

Bonus: Famous Christian Quotes About Anger, Bitterness, Contempt, Hate, Hatred, Resentment.

100 - 165 AD

The Change Brought About in Christians

We who formerly delighted in fornication, now embrace chastity alone; we who formerly used magical arts, dedicate ourselves to the good and unbegotten God; we who valued above all things the acquisition of wealth and possessions, now bring what we have into a common stock, and communicate to everyone in need; we who hated and destroyed one another, and on account of their different manners would not live with men of a different tribe, now, since the coming of Christ, live familiarly with them, and pray for our enemies, and endeavor to persuade those who hate us unjustly to live in conformity with the good precepts of Christ, to the end that they may become partakers with us of the same joyful hope of a reward from God the ruler of all.

—Justin Martyr

Jonathan Edwards 1703 - 1758

A Resolution to Not Act as One’s Own

Henceforth, I am not to act, in any respect, as my own. I shall act as my own if I ever make use of any of my powers to anything that is not to the glory of God, and do not make the glorifying of him my whole and entire business—if I murmur in the least at affliction; if I grieve at the prosperity of others; if I am in any way uncharitable; if I am angry because of injuries; if I revenge them; if I do anything purely to please myself, or if I avoid anything for the sake of my own ease; if I omit anything because it is great self-denial; if I trust to myself; if I take any of the praise of the good that I do, or that God does by me; or if I am in any way proud. —Jonathan Edwards

 Desiderius Erasmus 1469 - 1536

Dishonest Reasons for Going to War

I am well aware of the excuse which men, ever ingenious in devising mischief to themselves as well as others, offer in extenuation of their conduct in going to war. They allege that they are compelled to it; that they are dragged against their will to war. I answer them, deal fairly. Pull off the mask; throw away all false colors; consult your own heart, and you will find that anger, ambition, and folly are the compulsory force that has dragged you to war, and not any necessity; unless indeed you call the insatiable cravings of a covetous mind, necessity.

—Desiderius Erasmus

 

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What does it mean in Proverbs 15:1 that a soft answer turns away wrath?

What does it mean that a soft answer turns away wrath (Proverbs 15:1)?

 https://www.gotquestions.org/soft-answer-turns-away-wrath.html

Soft is a word that can sometimes have negative connotations associated with weakness. However, that is not the case in Proverbs 15:1: “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (ESV). Here, the writer explains that a soft answer is the wiser choice whenever we must respond to a problem.

The word translated as “soft” in the original language can also mean “gentle,” “tender-hearted,” “kindly,” and “having or showing a thoughtful or gentle nature.” Wrath means “fury” or “anger.” The proverb is teaching that a wise person will deal with problems gently. “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare,” says Proverbs 15:1 in the New Living Translation.

The central theme of the book of Proverbs is wisdom. Its purpose is to show young seekers how to gain understanding and insight by developing a disciplined life and choosing to do what is right, just, beneficial, and fair. Wisdom, in essence, is a choice reflected in a person’s basic approach to life. 

Because of one’s values and commitments, the wise person chooses to live according to godly principles and make the right choices. He or she will pay close attention to the counsel and guidance offered in Scripture, applying God’s truth, and submitting to the Lord’s will.

In Proverbs 15:1, the wise choice is presented first: “a soft answer turns away wrath.” Speaking a soft answer means responding with gentleness and patience in a way that defuses anger and keeps the situation from escalating. By contrast, “a harsh word stirs up anger.” The unwise choice is to respond unkindly, rashly, and in anger. 

Later, Solomon reiterates the wise and foolish options: “A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel” (Proverbs 15:18).

A gentle or soft answer turns away wrath by neutralizing a potentially tense or explosive situation. A harsh word does the opposite; rather than dissolving anger, it charges it up.

 James taught believers that operating in “human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” (James 1:20). 

According to James, “Wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17).

Wise Christians keep in mind that God calls us to be peacemakers: 

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Choosing to promote and inspire peace requires other virtues encouraged in the Proverbs.

 “The plans of the diligent lead to profit,” says Proverbs 21:5. It takes forethought, diligence, and planning to be ready to take on the role of peacemaker in challenging or heated circumstances. 

We must daily “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (Romans 13:14, ESV).

To be ready with a soft answer that turns away wrath, we must make the daily choice to nurture and develop patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control (Colossians 3:12; Galatians 5:22).

 

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