30 Bible Verses About Controlling Anger {Free PDF Printable}

Here are 30 Bible Verses About Controlling Anger. When it comes to the topic of anger, the Bible has lots to tell us. Use this Bible reading plan to study what God’s Word says about anger.

What Does the Bible Say About Anger?

Everyone feels anger sometimes.

Thankfully, the Bible gives us direction for how to handle this challenging emotion.

Anger can shatter relationships and, when out of control, lead to life-long problems. Studies have even shown that holding on to too much anger can lead to long-term health consequences like headaches, high blood pressure, and depression. (source)

Is anger a sin? No.

Anger itself is not sinful. We know that Jesus got angry (John 2 – the story of Jesus cleansing the temple of money changers) and he was without sin.

Anger is an emotion and emotions are neutral. Yet we also know that anger often leads people into sinful behavior and Bible verses about anger are quick to point this out.

---

30 Best Bible Verses About Controlling Anger & Frustration

Here are some of the most famous Bible verses that talk about anger, anger management, and how to live with anger yet have self-control.

1. Ephesians 4:26-27 – Do Not Let the Sun Go Down on Your Anger

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.

Ephesians 4:26-27

This verse reminds that as often as possible, do not go to bed angry. While this isn’t always possible in the course of regular life, this is an important consideration for how we should manage our anger, especially in parenting and marriage.

Remember that proverbs are helpful statements of guidance and not exact laws we must follow. It’s important not to make this a rule that must be followed it would lead to the damage of a relationship. (Sometimes, in my marriage, a good night’s sleep is the best way to solve a disagreement.)

2. James 1:19-20 – Be slow to anger.

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.

James 1:19-20

By the power of the Holy Spirit at work in you, be slow to get angry. God is slow to anger and does not pour out his wrath on you. In the same way, you can develop more of the fruit of the spirit of patience with the people in our lives.

This verse points out that anger and flare-ups of temper rarely lead to righteousness. While it’s true that anger itself is not sinful, it often leads us to choose sinful actions.

Only Jesus had pure, righteous anger. Because we are human, our anger is tainted with sin.

3. Proverbs 29:11 – A fool vents his anger.

A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
    but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Proverbs 29:11

This proverb reminds us that we should not vent our anger but instead learn to let it go. When you allow your emotions to guide your choices, it rarely leads to good results. These are the times you might tend to speak unkind words, make rash decisions, or say things you regret.

Instead, hold back and take your time when you are angry. Take your thoughts captive to obey Christ during these challenging moments.

Be quick to forgive. While you should strive to manage anger, also develop spiritual maturity by forgiving graciously. Click here to read more about what the Bible says about forgiveness.

4. Proverbs 19:11 – Good sense makes one slow to anger.

Good sense makes one slow to anger,
    and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 19:11

Remember, no matter how hard life can be, we must always practice being slow to anger. Once you master this skill, life will becomes easier to navigate.

5. James 1:20 – The anger of man does not produce.

 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

James 1:20

Anger does nothing for us except steal our joy. Learn that anger does not make us stronger or wiser.

6. Proverbs 15:1 – A soft answer turns away wrath.

A soft answer turns away wrath,
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15:1

When we respond calmly and gracefully, it takes the power away from the enemy. A kind response will make you feel better at the end of the day.

Returning with anger or hate will leave you upset and stir up more turmoil.

7. Ecclesiastes 7:9 – Be not quick in your spirit.

Be not quick in your spirit to become angry,for anger lodges in the heart of fools.

Ecclesiastes 7:9

Anger is like a thorn; if you are quick to anger, it will fester within you, and the wound will become more painful and significant. Learn to be slow to anger and pray to God for guidance on how to let go of the anger within us.

8. Colossians 3:8 – You must put them all away.

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Colossians 3:8

Give the anger, the malice, slander, and wrath all to the Lord. Learn to walk in peace and grace. It is hard, but once you eliminate the bitterness, you can begin a more peaceful walk in life.

9. Proverbs 15:18 – A soft answer turns away wrath.

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

Proverbs 15:18

Anger is something we don’t want in our lives. When we respond quietly and without the wrath of our tongue, we learn to grow deeper in knowledge, gain power over our minds, and walk closer to the Lord.

10. James 4:1-2 – What causes quarrels within you?

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?

James 4:1-2

Is envy, hate, or other ill thoughts causing the fight within us to flare up? If so, we must re-train our brains to focus on what is meaningful in life.

If we allow God to re-direct our pain and thoughts, we can be out in the world fighting for those who don’t love the Lord, helping bring salvation to the hurt and more work of the Lord.

11. Proverbs 16:32 – Whoever is slow to anger.

Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

Proverbs 16:32

Being slow to anger has many benefits. But staying level-headed and mastering the mind will allow you to do big things with the Lord if you choose to walk that path.

He can use you differently because he knows you can stay level-headed, preach his word worldwide, and have healthy conversations with others.

12. Proverbs 14:17 – A quick temper acts foolishly.

A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated.

Proverbs 14:17

If you’ve experienced trauma in your life, you may be quick to answer. Give yourself grace that this is a primitive, reflexive emotional response deeply rooted in fear. While it’s challenging, this can be overcome with therapy and emotional processing.

13. Ephesians 4:31 – Let the bitterness be put away.

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Ephesians 4:31

Learn to replace bitterness, hate, and anger with Christ-like emotions—kindness, forgiveness, understanding, and reflection. Over time, you will find it feels natural to let go of the hate within your heart.

14. Psalm 37:8-9 – Refrain from anger.

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

Psalm 37:8-9

Allowing yourself to walk in anger daily leads to more anger and hate. Learn to wait patiently for the Lord to speak into your life and heart and guide you in the direction you need to go.

Anger is often a surface-level emotion. Dig deeper, and you find sadness, fear, or regret. While these emotions may be harder to sit with, ultimately working through them will lead to lasting peace.

15. Matthew 5:22 – Let go of anger toward your brother.

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

Anger toward others can have significant consequences. Learning to stop the cycle of anger allows you to grow stronger and deeper in your walk with the Lord.

Letting go of anger may be one of the most challenging practices you engage in for your life, but the end result is worth it.

16. Proverbs 12:16 – The vexation of a fool.

The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.

Proverbs 12:16

This verse reminds us that asking the Lord to help us listen and showcase wise responses is key. It reminds us to listen to the Lord and his word and not just respond without listening.

A stronger person ignores an insult instead of lashing out and doing something you regret.

17. Proverbs 22:24 – No friendship to a man given to anger.

Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man.

Proverbs 22:24

Remember that by forming friendships with people prone to anger, we can easily pick up similar habits. So, if you are around someone who has anger issues, if you are not careful, the anger can become rooted within you, and we can showcase similar behavior.

18. Romans 12:21 – Overcome evil with good.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:21

Acting with kindness, love, and other God-given responses is how we will overcome the evil in this world. Never fight evil with evil acts. Think about how God would want me to respond to this situation.

19. Proverbs 29:22 – A man who stirs up strife.

A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.

Proverbs 29:22

Reading the word, learning to exercise self-restraint, and offering patience in all areas of our lives allow us to become stronger and resist conflict.

Also, remember that hurting people act in anger. Walk with love and see that they are hurting people acting out who ultimately need love and acceptance.

20. Proverbs 14:29 – Whoever is slow to anger.

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

Proverbs 14:29

In this Scripture in Proverbs 14, you find a reminder of not jumping to anger. Learning to walk in grace and kindness is the key to overcoming others who have anger in their hearts.

21. James 3:1-3 – Taming the tongue.

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.

James 3:1-3

When the Bible talks about the power of our tongue, it warns us that the words that flow through us have such power in our lives. Learning self-control, replacing hate with love, and training ourselves to communicate positively are essential for a life of growth and faith.

22. Galatians 5:19-20 – Works of the flesh are evident.

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,

Galatians 5:19-20

These are areas in our lives we need to work hard to avoid. These are self-driven acts, and we need to learn to walk in virtue and pursue self-control, reflecting God’s Word, love, and patience.

23. Proverbs 27:4 – Wrath is cruel.

Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?

Proverbs 27:4

In this scripture, I see that these emotions can negatively affect our relationships if we walk with anger, cruelty, and jealousy at the forefront. We must cultivate healthy emotions to replace any negative emotions in our hearts.

24. Colossians 3:13 – Forgive any complaints.

bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Colossians 3:13

Learning to forgive genuinely takes time and grace. The Lord gives us the tools to let go of ill-intents if we lean into this Word and apply it to our lives healthily.

25. Proverbs 24:28 – Be not a witness against your neighbor.

Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.

Proverbs 27:4

Applying this scripture to your life means learning not to gossip, deceive, or manipulate those around you. Learn to hold yourself to a high standard to build trust and create an honest character.

26. 1 Peter 2:23 – He did not revile in return.

When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

1 Peter 2:23

No matter what is done to us, we never act out in the same manner. We still walk healthily and offer grace to those around us. We do not have the right to judge others.

27. Romans 1:18 God’s wrath on unrighteousness.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

Romans 1:18

This is an excellent reminder that if you stray and act out instead of following the word of God, you will find that things will come to light.

Don’t hide stuff within yourself; be honest and recognize things to become the best version of you. This requires letting go of sinful behaviors that may feel comfortable.

28. Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 – A time to kill and a team to heal

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

Ecclesiastes 3:1-3

These verses teach us that all things have the perfect time. Learn to accept the ups and downs of life, walk in grace, and understand whether it is a good moment or a time of turbulence.

29. Proverbs 25:28 – A man without self-control is a like a city broken into

A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

Proverbs 25:28

When we live without the fruit of the spirit of self-control, we leave ourselves vulnerable and exposed. This is true in all areas of life, including when we allow anger to go unchecked.

30. James 4:11-12 – Do not speak evil against one another.

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.

James 4:11-12

We are to see that judging, speaking negatively, or taking ill-intended actions are not what we are meant to do. Take time to work on relationships, protect your heart, and offer grace to all.

30-Day Anger Bible Reading Plan Free Printable Download

Use this daily Bible reading plan PDF to study what the Bible says about anger and how it affects your life.

$1.99

$0.00

---

More Free Daily Bible Reading Plans

30 Day Forgiveness Bible Reading Plan

30 Day Attributes of God Bible Reading Plan

30 Day Spiritual Warfare Bible Reading Plan

30 Day Praising God in the Storms of Life Bible Reading Plan

30 Day Way of Salvation Bible Reading Plan

30 Day Joy Bible Reading Plan

30 Day Hope During Pain Bible Reading Plan

---