When anger stirs in our mind it can take over our hearts. Filling your life with God’s word will reiterate His truth. Anger can keep us from God’s plan for our lives. Equip yourself with these Bible scriptures for anger.
Bible Scriptures for Anger
(Scroll to the bottom for Bible Verses on Anger. Anger lodges negative emotions.)
Jesus, no matter the circumstances, could look at any man or woman and display; a genuine and unconditional love.
Only once written in scripture does Jesus presumably get angry. I would rather state, after reading through the gospels, that I sensed an emotion of disgust. This, of course, is my perception. I encourage you to read through the bible scriptures and see for yourself.
Jesus journeyed to Jerusalem to bring a message of grace and peace during the Passover festival. We all know the story of his welcoming persecution on Palm Sunday. Just one week before his death, the Messiah arrives. Imagine the celebration from the people. How glorious!
After Jesus enters the town, he turns his attention elsewhere; the temple courts. A space filled for gatherings. Jesus witnesses a horrific scene, one filled with greed and disrespect. Instead of the locals welcoming in the weary travelers, they conveniently took advantage of them. Selfish opportunities are easily employed on the desperate and strained, all for the sake of profit.
Deceiving transactions all occuring prior to entering the temple; a known sacred place of worship.
Image the scene.
You and your family are traveling from afar to make a sacrifice and worship the God of Abraham (the one true God). As you arrive, inside the courts of the Temple you are not greeted by welcoming locals, but instead being offered services and goods. For many travelers, bringing an animal to sacrifice was difficult. Most would purchase one upon arrival for convenience.
However, in order to purchase your sacrifice, you would need to exchange your currency to the Roman-accepted coin. The only currency accepted in Jerusalem by law.
The deceivers knew this to be the case. The money changers were highly inflating the rates of exchange, the animals being sold for sacrifice for a higher rate of profit using the temple courts as a Roman accepted business venture. Groups of people work hand in hand to increase their revenue as worshipers arrive.
Outraged and disgusted, Jesus sees what is occurring and flips over tables. In doing so, shouts; “It is written, my house will be called a house of prayer.” – Matthew 21:13 – Jesus quoting scripture from Isaiah 56:7
Differences in Anger
Jesus observed corruption, deception, and injustice towards God’s people. He knew that this was not right. He developed righteous anger.
While there are many forms of anger. Righteous anger is one that is developed to see the wrong and make positive changes for others. It does not show hatred. It is not one that is repressed. Will not cause sin, but justified action.
“Be angry and do not sin” (Ephesians 4:26).
Our Heavenly Father knows that we are not perfect. That is why He sent His precious son to die on the cross. That we may have freedom. Not bound to our sins. Anger with the exception of righteous anger is a sin. Righteous anger is being angry at what makes God angry.
Other forms of anger can cause us to sin by;
- avoiding others – not to love them
- using hurtful words (gossip, quarreling, etc) – not encouraging or loving
- causes disorder or jealousy – not serving others humbly
” The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” – Galatians 5: 19 – 21
To Be Like Jesus
Betrayed, rejected, and crucified, Jesus had every opportunity to alter His own feelings. But He didn’t. Instead, He prayed. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” – Luke 23:43
We all have our issues. Some of these issues or areas in our lives can easily prevent us from progressing forward. You could say that those areas of growth have produced paralysis. We sit stagnant, wanting God to move in our lives, but He can’t. When we allow ourselves the ability to fester on such a strong emotion, we become transfixed on all that it produces.
God doesn’t want to see us glued down. He wants us to grow. Growth with God will lead us to our best life. The path He set before us. You know, the one He chose before we were even born. The reason why He has gifted us with such great talents.
The Fruits of the Spirit
The fruit of the spirits (love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, & faithfulness) do not include anger. And for good reason. It is an emotion that can trigger strife that can develop into a hasty temper. It physically can cause harm and emotionally make us change directions. We can spiral out of His will and enter into our own defense. It is not encouraging, uplifting, or loving. It can turn us into people we don’t like.
“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” – 1 Peter 2:1-3
What God Wants For YOU!
He wants VICTORY over your life! A commanding verb that has the power to influence. He wants just that! God wants us to go out and be great fishers of men. Bring others to Christ by the love that He has shown us. How can we do that when anger lives in our hearts? We can’t.
The most effective tool that God gives us is the power of meditating and speaking His word over our lives and our circumstances. Don’t lose sight of the importance of God’s word. It is a “lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” – Psalm 119:105
I pray that our precious Lord speaks to your heart as you read through these scriptures. That His steadfast love and peace covers your mind and your heart. So you can move forward. No matter how deep your anger runs, there is healing power in the name of Jesus. Speak His name out loud, JESUS!!!! In the name of Jesus, you can be released.
Releasing the bitterness of anger, and sowing your life in His word will allow you to reap the harvest of peace.
10 Bible Scriptures to Help with Anger
Lord, Jesus – in your name, I claim these Bible Scriptures for anger over my life. I ask that you release me, so I may grow.
“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.” – Colossians 3:21
“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” – James 1:19 – 20
“Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can crush opposition.” – Proverbs 25:15
“Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. – Romans 12:19
“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger or clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.” – Ephesians 4:31
“A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.”– Proverbs 29:11
“Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.” – Ephesians 4:26 -27
“A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.” – Proverbs 15:18
“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,” – Matthew 5:22
Do you have bible scriptures for anger that have given you great understanding and pulled you away from saying a harsh word? We would love to know. Leave us a comment below.
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