26 Bible Verses about Anger and How to Control It

The Bible has a lot to say about anger. In fact, the word "anger" appears in the Bible over two hundred times! So it's clear that God knows we get angry, and He wants us to understand how to deal with our emotions in a healthy way.

Anger is a normal human emotion, created by God. In Exodus 32:7-10, we see that God gets angry when people sin. This shows us that anger is not necessarily a bad thing; sometimes it can be a righteous response to evil. But of course, we also know that anger can lead to problems if it's not managed properly.

So what is the purpose of anger? The Bible compares anger to a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 32:22). And just like fire, it can be used for good or for destruction. When we get angry about something that is wrong, it can motivate us to take action and make things right. But when our anger is out of control, it can lead to violence and destruction.

The Bible gives us some instructions on how to control our anger. In Ephesians 4:26-27, we are told to "be angry but do not sin." This means that we can express our anger in positive ways, without letting it turn into hatred or revenge. 

We are also told in James 1:19-20 to be "slow to anger," which means that we should think before we react in moments of frustration or rage. And finally, Proverbs 29:11 tells us that "a fool gives full vent to his spirit," meaning that someone who doesn't know how to control their temper will often say or do things they regret later on.

If you find yourself struggling with anger, know that you're not alone. The first step is admitting that you have a problem and need help. When trying to control your anger, remember that the goal is not to never feel angry again; instead, it's learning how to express your anger in constructive ways so that it doesn't destroy your relationships or hurt other people.

Key Verse about Anger in the Bible

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. 

God’s Anger

Deuteronomy 32:11-12

They have made me jealous with what is no god; they have provoked me to anger with their idols. So I will make them jealous with those who are no people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. For a fire is kindled by my anger, and it burns to the depths of Sheol,

devours the earth and its increase, and sets on fire the foundations of the mountains.

Numbers 11:1

And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, and when the Lord heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp.

Psalm 7:11

God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day.

Psalm 103:8

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Be Slow to Anger

Proverbs 14:29

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

Proverbs 16:32

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. 

Proverbs 19:11

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. 

Ecclesiastes 7:9

Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.

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.

Warnings About Uncontrolled Anger

Psalm 37:8

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.

Proverbs 14:17

A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated.

Proverbs 22:24-25 

Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare. 

Proverbs 29:11

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

Proverbs 29:22

A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.

Bible Verses for Confronting Anger in Yourself and Others

Leviticus 19:17-18

You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Psalm 37:8-9

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

Proverbs 12:16

The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.

Proverbs 15:1

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

Proverbs 15:18 

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

Matthew 5:22

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Romans 12:19

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

Galatians 5:19-21

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.

Ephesians 4:31-32 

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.

Colossians 3:8

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

1 Timothy 2:8 

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling.