The Bible and Anger

Anger

Human anger arises for a number of reasons, some of which are acceptable and others which are not. Scripture stresses the potentially destructive aspects of human anger and urges moderation.

Results of human anger

Strife

1 Samuel 20:30 (KJV 1900) — 30 Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother’s nakedness?

Proverbs 29:22 (KJV 1900) — 22 An angry man stirreth up strife, And a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

God’s judgment

Genesis 49:5–7 (KJV 1900) — 5 Simeon and Levi are brethren; Instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. 6 O my soul, come not thou into their secret; Unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: For in their anger they slew a man, And in their selfwill they digged down a wall. 7 Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; And their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, And scatter them in Israel.

Sin

Jas 1:20

James 1:20 (KJV 1900) — 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Ephesians 4:26 (KJV 1900) — 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Reasons for human anger

Jealousy

Ge 4:4–5

Genesis 4:4–5 (KJV 1900) — 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

1 Samuel 18:8 (KJV 1900) — 8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?

Pride

Jon 4:1

Jonah 4:1 (KJV 1900) — 1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.

The truth

Numbers 24:10 (KJV 1900) — 10 And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.

Jeremiah 37:15 (KJV 1900) — 15 Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and smote him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe: for they had made that the prison.

Dealing with anger

Becoming slow to anger

Ecclesiastes 7:9 (KJV 1900) — 9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

James 1:19 (KJV 1900) — 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

Not taking revenge

Ro 12:19

Romans 12:19 (KJV 1900) — 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Renouncing anger

Eph 4:31

Ephesians 4:31 (KJV 1900) — 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

See also Ps 37:8; Col 3:8; 1 Ti 2:8

Psalm 37:8 (KJV 1900) — 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: Fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

Pray

1 Timothy 2:8 (KJV 1900) — 8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.