What God Says about Anger in the Bible

Introduction

This is part of my studies on anger. It is for my continual victory over bitterness, impatience and Anger.

Our anger is not righteous anger

Angry people usually justify their anger, saying it is someone else's fault they are angry. Yet the Bible repeatedly warns us against having a wrathful and anger temperament when we are upset at other people.

There is such a thing as righteous anger. Righteous Anger is Primarily the Lords. But sometimes we can come close if we talk and pray about problems or potentially dangerous situations. (At these times, we can and must exercise self-control or rather what I would like to call it Jesus-control.) Yet most of the time, our anger is not righteous. As James wrote, For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. (James 1:20).

When we have given in to anger, we are always focused on our wellbeing, comfort or gratification. Instead, we should be primarily concerned about other people's benefit and being a good testimony for Christ.

I have even found that God equates anger with foolishness. That is not something that I had even considered before. In all my justifying, that I was a fool. That is certainly hard to swallow. The world will tell you that it is your right or even that it is good for you. We need to get it out; we cannot keep it bottled up. I contend that according to the word of God that is not true.

I encourage you, if you struggle with this sin, be a berean and study as I am doing if this is true. We as christians must rule our spirit. As you can see in the following Scriptures, God warns and does not want us to simply react emotionally. Instead, we should respond with wisdom and a tender spirit.

Verses warning us about anger

-Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. (Psalm 37:8).

-A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame. (Proverbs 12:16).

-There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. (Proverbs 12:18).

-A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. (Proverbs 14:16).

-He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated. (Proverbs 14:17).

-He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. (Proverbs 14:29).

-A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. (Proverbs 15:1).

-A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. (Proverbs 15:18).

-He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. (Proverbs 16:32).

-He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. (Proverbs 17:27).

-It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. (Proverbs 20:3).

-Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee. (Proverbs 20:22).

-He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. (Proverbs 25:28).

-Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath. (Proverbs 29:8).

-A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. (Proverbs 29:11).

-An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression. (Proverbs 29:22).

-Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:  But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.  Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;  Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. (Matthew 5:21-24).

-Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21).

-Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; (1 Corinthians 13:4-5).

-Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, (Galatians 5:19-20).

-Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. (Ephesians 4:26-7).

-Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:29-32).

-Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. (Philippians 4:5).

-But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. (Colossians 3:8).

-And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (2 Timothy 2:24-26).

-Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:  For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20).

-Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. (1 Peter 3:9).

To whom ever, that this may be a blessing unto you in a heart that truely desires to please God.