Unpacking a popular wellness trend
In his letter to Titus, Paul describes the traits to being a member of the Church, and mentions temper. “For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,” (Titus 1:7).
Proverbs 29:11 tells us that, “Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.”
Nor should yours. Love is the antidote. “Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love,” (Micah 7:18).
God is slow to anger, which is great news for all of us (sinners). “The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, 'The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,'” (Exodus 34:6).
The consequences of anger can indeed lead to transgression (or sin). “A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression,” (Proverbs 29:22).
The Bible tells that, “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift,” (Matthew 5:23-24).
Paul lists a number of works of the flesh in his letter to the Galatians. It reads: “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,” (Galatians 5:19-21).
Again, being slow to anger can be beneficial. “A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention,” (Proverbs 15:18).
Hanging out with people who are constantly angry won’t do you any favors. Proverbs 22:24-25 is clear about this: “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.”
Love is the key to balancing anger. Indeed, 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 tell us that, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”
When we are angry, we may find ourselves plotting revenge. This is not our job to do. The Bible tells us to leave it to God. “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,'” (Romans 12:19).
Sources: (Just Disciple) (Bible Study Tools)
Anger is a trigger for conflict, and the Bible mentions this in Proverbs 30:33: “For pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife.”
We should worship God with our hearts at peace. “I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling,” (1 Timothy 2:8).
It may sound harsh, but Matthew 5:21-22 is clear when it comes to describing how God judges those who are angry with their brothers. It reads: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 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.”
It’s important to take some time to think about why we’re angry. Indeed, this is a good way to deal with it. Psalm 4:4 tells us: “Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah.”
Just like Jesus was with the religious leaders who would not heal a man because it was Sabbath. Jesus went ahead and healed the man anyway. “And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.' He stretched it out, and his hand was restored,” (Mark 3:5).
“A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated,” (Proverbs 14:17). It’s safe to say that many of us have acted foolishly because of our quick tempers!
Righteous anger, like the one Jesus felt towards the religious leaders who turned God’s temple into a marketplace, is legitimate. “And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, 'It is written, "My house shall be called a house of prayer," but you make it a den of robbers,'” (Matthew 21:12-13).
In fact, God himself is slow to anger. “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love,” (Psalm 103:8).
Self-control is a pretty big deal in the Bible, and Proverbs 16:32 mentions just that: “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”
Colossians 3:8 is clear, when it says that, “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.”
We’ve all done stupid things when we’re angry, so it’s always good to remember to, “Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil,” (Psalms 37:8).
This is a message of Christ, so we should forgive, not act in anger. “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,” (Ephesians 4:31-32).
Being moved by anger is not good for us, so we should express it somehow and not keep it in our hearts. “Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools," (Ecclesiastes 7:9)
While this might not be easy, thinking about it alone might help you not react so harshly. Proverbs 19:11 reads: “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”
Words are powerful, and the wrong ones can cause a lot of damage, so it’s important to speak with care so as not to evoke anger. “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger,” (Proverbs 15:1).
Sometimes feeling anger is inevitable, but it’s important to take a step back, to not escalate the situation, and to think before doing something stupid. “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly,” (Proverbs 14:29).
James 1:19-20 tells us: “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.”
Instead, it’s what we do with our anger that may or may not be a sin. Ephesians 4:26-27 reads: “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.”
Anger is one of the many human emotions. It's often felt when we believe someone has done us wrong, or in any other situation we perceive as threatening. Feelings of frustration, injustice, and indignation are often present, too. To feel anger is perfectly natural, unless it interferes with our lives and that of others. Luckily, there are ways to manage and express anger. In fact, you can turn to the scriptures, which also have some guidance about it.
If you've ever wondered what the Bible says about anger, then you'll appreciate this gallery. We've compiled a number of biblical passages about anger and possible interpretations. Click on for a real Sunday school lesson!
What does the Bible say about anger?
From the Old Testament to the New
LIFESTYLE Religion
Anger is one of the many human emotions. It's often felt when we believe someone has done us wrong, or in any other situation we perceive as threatening. Feelings of frustration, injustice, and indignation are often present, too. To feel anger is perfectly natural, unless it interferes with our lives and that of others. Luckily, there are ways to manage and express anger. In fact, you can turn to the scriptures, which also have some guidance about it.
If you've ever wondered what the Bible says about anger, then you'll appreciate this gallery. We've compiled a number of biblical passages about anger and possible interpretations. Click on for a real Sunday school lesson!