Finding Calm In Bible Verses About Anger

Anger is a normal and natural emotion, but It can cause problems in a person's life if it’s not kept under control. When not kept in check, anger can lead to emotional outbursts, interpersonal conflict, and even negative health effects. 

People who find comfort in Bible verses may find them useful when learning how to better control strong emotions like anger. Here, we’ll share some of the most popular Bible verses about anger, explain what they might mean, and discuss how to tell when you may need further help with anger management.

What are Bible verses about anger?

The Bible is organized by books, chapters, and verses. Books are given names, like Genesis, Exodus, etc. Chapters are numbered and refer to sections within books. Verses are the smallest components, and they can be anywhere from a fragment of a sentence to a few sentences in length. 

The verses about anger include those that mention anger directly as well as those that contain information that might be relevant to a person experiencing anger. Some mention the anger of God, like “Because of these, the wrath of God is coming” (Colossians 3:6) and “All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man” (Mark 7:23) while others give advice to readers about anger-related thoughts and behaviors.

Why do people turn to Bible verses about anger?

Many people turn to the Bible for wisdom and advice about a variety of topics, and anger is no exception. Some people turn to the Bible because they are religious, and they view doing so as a way to gain wisdom aligned with their religion or a way to receive messages from God. Others turn to the Bible because they view it as an important historical document containing sage advice. Research suggests that religious people who read the Bible during stressful times may be more likely to feel hopeful about the future.

How to use Bible verses about anger

If you find comfort in reading the Bible, what you do with verses about anger is personal and up to you. Some people meditate on verses, rereading them or contemplating them in silence in the hopes of gaining insight on a current situation they are angry about. Others may copy Bible verses about anger into a notebook or onto a card to reread as a reminder of how they want to think or act in moments of anger. Some may even post Bible verses where they or others can see them, whether that's on social media or on the living room wall in the form of art.

The best Bible verses about anger

Which Bible verses about anger are best is subjective. Different people may have different favorite verses they want to return to time and time again. We've rounded up some of the most popular Bible verses about anger here so you can identify those that most resonate with you.

Ephesians 4:26 

"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger."

Ephesians 4:26 is often quoted as applying to close relationships, such as those with a spouse or immediate family member. Some people even incorporate this verse into their wedding vows as an example of how they want to treat each other during arguments. It calls people to address their anger and work through disagreements quickly without holding on to grudges or letting resentment fester.

People often describe this verse as an example of the fact that there can be righteous anger. The concept of righteous anger suggests that not all anger is "bad" or, in Christian terms, "sinful." Rather, it insinuates that anger is natural and permissible, but that a person will usually be better off if they choose healthy ways of dealing with it.

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."

A few verses later, this passage from Ephesians reiterates the need to process anger and move beyond it. These verses go further than the previous one, calling people to not only let go of anger but to also practice kindness and forgiveness. People who struggle with holding grudges may find these verses to be a good reminder to let go of their anger instead. Letting go may be useful for other reasons, too; according to the American Psychological Association, research suggests that forgiveness can be good for both physical and mental health.

Psalm 37:8 

"Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Do not fret; it leads only to evil."

Psalm 37:8 urges people not to give into anger, saying "it leads only to evil." While anger doesn't always result in something negative, it can—particularly when it’s not managed in a healthy way. For example, research suggests that anger can lead to aggression, so finding other ways to cope instead of letting it escalate could help prevent outbursts and aggressive conflict.

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."

In Galatians, the point is made that "fits of anger" are unholy. The phrasing here may suggest that it isn't the feeling of anger itself but rather the "fits" it may lead to that are the problem. Fits like angry outbursts may lead to a person saying or doing hurtful things, and this verse implies that it’s better to avoid letting this emotion escalate to that point.

Leviticus 19:17

"You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him."

In Leviticus, God asks Moses to convey the Ten Commandments to “all the congregation.” This includes the commandment to show love and compassion to others and practice  open communication rather than harboring resentment. By addressing issues directly, we avoid letting anger grow in our hearts. It helps us find calm and clarity by fostering honest relationships and preventing the burden of grudges, ultimately guiding us toward forgiveness and healthier connections.

Ecclesiastes 7:9

"Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger lodges in the heart of fools."

Ecclesiastes encourages us to practice patience, with the understanding that anger can cloud judgment. Calm, measured responses can help prevent anger from "lodging" within us, which could potentially lead to foolish actions. This advice provides clarity by helping us manage our responses thoughtfully.

1 Samuel 13:14

“Stand in awe, and sin not: Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.”

Here, we are advised to “be still” and reflect meaningfully on our thoughts and actions. A moment of quiet contemplation can be especially helpful in moments of anger, when we might otherwise allow unhelpful thoughts that could prolong conflicts—both with others and within ourselves.

Colossians 3:6-8 

"Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your lips.

These Colossians verses send a similar message to that found in Galatians. Anger is listed alongside other things that people are instructed to rid themselves of. The meaning is open to interpretation, like all Bible verses. However, if the verse is referring to the emotion of anger solely and not the actions it can sometimes spur, then its message doesn't align with current research. As the American Psychological Association has indicated, "Anger can be a good thing."

Philippians 4:8 

"Finally, dear brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

This Philippians verse is often described as relating to anger, despite not mentioning the emotion by name. Perhaps that is because this verse provides examples of what a person might think about instead of thoughts that arouse anger. If a person keeps turning their mind to "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable," they may have little time left to think about things that prompt anger.

2 Timothy 1:7

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

This verse reminds us that God gives us a spirit of power, love, and self-control—not one of fear or anger. Embracing this spirit can help us face challenges with calm, strength, and compassion so that we may avoid losing control in moments of anger or frustration.

1 Timothy 2:8

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

Here, we are encouraged to revere the “living God”without anger or quarreling. This verse can help us foster a sense of peace and clarity by guiding us toward prayer over conflict, reminding us that a calm spirit strengthens our relationship with God and nurtures harmony with others.

Meaning of the "slow to anger" Bible verse

Many people repeat that the Bible urges people to be "slow to anger." Indeed, this advice is found in a verse: James 1:19-20, which may contain the most popular anger-related Bible verse there is.

James 1:19-20: “...slow to speak, and slow to anger…”

"Know this, my beloved brothers: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires."

This verse suggests that people should avoid jumping to conclusions that may provoke their anger. By listening instead of quickly responding out of emotion, a person may better understand the other's perspective and be less likely to become angry. When one person stays calm, there's often a lower risk of the situation escalating.

What does the Book of Proverbs say about anger?

Proverbs is a unique book of the Bible in the sense that nearly every verse is, as the book's title states, a proverb. Proverbs are short sayings meant to provide wisdom and life advice. There are many Proverbs about anger in the Bible. The Book of Proverbs offers several insights on anger, often encouraging restraint, patience, and wisdom in managing it.

Top proverbs about anger

As with the other Bible verses, deciding which are the best proverbs about anger is personal. Here are five of the most popular proverbs about anger so you can see which may resonate with you:

• Proverbs 14:29 "Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but one who has a hasty temper exalts folly."
• Proverbs 15:1 "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
• Proverbs 16:32 "Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city."
• 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 "Fools vent their anger, but the wise man quietly holds it back."
• Proverbs 29:22: “A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.”
• Proverbs 14:17 "A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of wicked intentions is hated."
• Proverbs 13:12 "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life."

Therapy to help you learn to manage anger

Although anger is a natural emotion, sometimes treatment to help with anger management is warranted. When anger occurs frequently, feels out of control, or leads to aggression or discord in a person's life, seeking outside help might be a good idea. A therapist can help you get to the root of your angry feelings, identify triggering situations, and learn healthier coping mechanisms.

If commuting to appointments might spark additional stress or anger due to traffic or delays, you may consider online therapy as a treatment option instead. With remote therapy, you can speak with a licensed therapist from anywhere you have an internet connection. BetterHelp is a remote therapy platform that can connect you with a therapist in as little as 48 hours.

Research on therapy for anger

A review of meta-analyses on anger management treatments indicates that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the talk therapy type that has been most studied for anger. The studies suggest that "behavioral rehearsal," or practicing with your therapist how you might react in situations that provoke this feeling, may be the most effective part of CBT for anger. The authors conclude that "substantial evidence supports the effectiveness of anger and aggression interventions."

Takeaway

For some people, the Bible is a source of strength and centeredness when they're struggling with intense emotions like anger. There are many Bible verses that directly mention anger and others that don’t but can still offer wisdom on related topics. When anger feels uncontrollable in spite of self-management strategies like turning to the Bible, seeking the support of a therapist may be a good idea.