Here’s what the Bible says about anger — and how to control it
A noteworthy story about anger in the Bible is when Jesus Christ cleanses the temple by flipping over “the tables of the moneychangers” and “the seats of them that sold doves,” in Matthew 21:12-13.
“My house shall be called the house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves,” he tells them.
While the word “anger” is not used in these verses, one could assume Christ felt angry to see a sacred place treated like it was.
What did Jesus say about anger?
Jesus Christ introduced the topic of anger in the New Testament by comparing it to murder, warning us that we would have to be judged by God for our expressions of anger.
In Matthew 5:21-22, Christ says, “Ye have heard that it was said of old time, Thou shalt not kill, and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment. But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.”
Is anger a sin according to the Bible?
Anger is not necessarily equated with sin in the Bible. Anger and sin are presented as two different things in Ephesians 4:26-27, where it says, “Be ye angry, and sin not.” Those verses caution that anger can become a sin if acted upon.
Harsh language against someone else is discouraged in the same chapter in verse 29: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
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What does the Bible say is the root of anger?
Christ taught that the words and actions of a person are a reflection of their heart.
In Matthew 15:18-19, Christ teaches, “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart, and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.”
Earlier, in Matthew 5:8-9, Christ said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” and “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”
All the actions Christ talked about can be a result of anger or other negative emotions if not controlled.
For example, anger and malice are considered different in the Bible, as anger is a natural emotion while malice is more sinister and based on an intention to do harm.
How to control anger according to the Bible?
By being “swift to listen” and “slow to speak,” the book of James says that you can control anger or “wrath.”
James condemns anger in James 1:19-20, saying, “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”
Ephesians 4:31-32 advises that replacing “anger” and “malice” with more positive emotions or actions (no matter how badly you don’t want to), can cultivate love and understanding.
The apostle Paul wrote, “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Forgiveness and reconciliation are emphasized in the Bible, as a way to combat anger, as is taught in Matthew 5:23-24 and Proverbs 19:11.
Having the self-control to regulate emotions, especially anger, is a great strength and is considered a noble trait.
Being “slow to anger is better than the mighty, he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city,” reads Proverbs 16:32.
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