What the Bible Says About Anger

Anger is something we all face. And, since we can’t escape it, we’d be wise to view it from God’s perspective. For that, we need to answer one fundamental question: What does the Bible say about anger? If we can answer that question honestly, we can learn how to handle anger in a healthy way.

God never created us to be robots. In fact, He’s wired us with an incredible variety of emotions to keep life interesting. But one emotion seems to come with a lifetime supply of guilt and frustration: anger.

The Ins and Outs of Anger

As we said, anger is an emotion. And, like every emotion, it’s neither good nor bad on its own. Establishing that filter is an important first step toward answering the question, What does the Bible say about anger?

It’s also good to remember that anger falls into two spheres: good and bad. Good anger is rooted in loving God and in responding to things the way He responds. In other words, good anger targets the things that make God angry.

Unfortunately, anger changed in Eden. Once sin entered the world, everything suffered its corrupting influence—including anger. Human selfishness led to ungodly and sinful anger. Instead of seeing things from God’s point of view, humans began obsessing about themselves. Anger shifted from a desire to seek what’s best for others to a never-ending attempt to satisfy ourselves.

Too often, our anger is warped by sinful logic. That’s why we need God’s perspective to handle it God’s way.

What does the Bible Say About Anger?

The Bible acknowledges the twofold nature of anger, the good and the bad. Whether it’s through the examples of other humans or through the practical teachings of biblical writers, we see this tension played out in black and white.

Still, as we examine what the Bible says about anger, we can identify some basic principles. These principles provide practical handles for not only understanding anger, but also for approaching it God’s way.

Below, I’ve listed five truths about anger in the Bible.

For the most part, avoid it.

Most of us understand the struggle of overcoming negative anger. That’s why most biblical references to anger teach us how to avoid it. For example, Proverbs 15:1 encourages us to rely on kind words instead of harsh rhetoric, while Ephesians 4:31 challenges us to put away anger like we might change a dirty shirt.

The reason is simple: Human anger fails to make us more like Jesus. So, it’s best to steer clear as much as possible.

Put a time limit on your anger.

As humans, we all fail to reflect on God’s image multiple times a day. Often, that imperfection rears its ugly head in the form of sinful anger. We just get mad and can’t seem to help it!

Thankfully, God understands. That’s why He told us to put a time limit on our anger. Specifically, He warned against going to bed with an angry heart (Ephesians 4:26). By seeking restoration before the sun sets, we don’t give anger time to fester and grow. We also nurture forgiveness. Of course, this isn’t easy, but it makes a world of difference.

Count to 10. . . sort of.

Conventional wisdom says that a 10-second countdown protects us from flying off the handle and making bad situations worse. It gives us a little extra time to collect ourselves and respond in a healthier way.

Well, God’s Word has been saying that for centuries. When we think about what the Bible says about anger, James 1:19 encourages us to be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” In other words, don’t respond immediately. Take a minute to really hear others out and to think through what they’re saying. It’s the biblical equivalent to counting to 10. Essentially, learn to put your anger on ice.

Anger damages your connection to God.

In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), Jesus explained how things are different in God’s kingdom and how our status quo often needs to be redefined by His agenda. Dealing with anger is one area Jesus mentioned. In fact, He said that anger is in the same ballpark as murder (Matthew 5:21-22).

What’s more, anger hinders our worship (Matthew 5:23-24). We can’t genuinely come to Him if we’re holding an anger-filled grudge towards our own fathers or nursing hurt feelings. If we really want to connect with heaven, we must learn to forgive our own fathers and any others we hold resentment toward.

It is possible to be angry without sin.

You’ve probably heard about “righteous indignation.” It’s the holy anger Jesus demonstrated when he drove the merchants out of the temple (John 2:13-16). Those traders weren’t just turning a profit. They were making it hard for people to worship, so Jesus had to act.

Scripture is clear that we can—and should—follow His example. The key is our motivation. However, many often miss the mark and use so-called examples of “righteous anger.” As mentioned earlier, healthy anger is fueled by standing against what God stands against. That keeps our focus on acting like Him and seeking what’s best for others.

The Dangers of Letting Anger Win

The Greeks used several words to express different shades of anger, but two stick out in the New Testament. One is thymos, which suggests a volcanic outburst of anger. The other, orge, is related to the word “swelling” and describes anger that builds over time. Either way, the Bible pictures negative anger as dangerous and deadly.

Whether it’s a sudden blow-up or a slow burn, anger creates a variety of problems. It damages relationships and distorts reality. It can adversely affect our physical and mental health. And, as mentioned, it can hinder our walk with God.

It’s also common to the human race, which makes understanding what the Bible says about anger so important to overcoming it. If you struggle with anger, begin by taking responsibility for your emotions and seeking forgiveness from God and others. Learning to control your anger is possible. Ask friends and family members to pray for you. And, if necessary, seek professional help from a pastor or counselor.

God wants you to win this fight. He gave you the wisdom of His Word to help. But it starts with asking yourself this: What does the Bible say about anger?