What the Bible says
James gives a simple order: “let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19). Then he gives the reason: “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God” (James 1:20). Our anger promises to set things right, but it cannot produce what God desires. Solomon agrees: “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city” (Proverbs 16:32).
Not all anger is sin, but anger quickly becomes sin. “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath” (Ephesians 4:26). God warned Cain while his anger burned: “sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him” (Genesis 4:7). And He asked Jonah a searching question: “Doest thou well to be angry?” (Jonah 4:4). Anger left alone opens a door the devil is glad to walk through.
Words can feed anger or quench it. “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). “The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression” (Proverbs 19:11). We learn this patience from God Himself: “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy” (Psalm 103:8). The one who has received such patience is called to show it.
Paul tells us to take anger off and put grace on. “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31–32). Revenge belongs to God: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:19). So “overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
14 verses, King James Version
Psalms 103:8
The Lord is slow to anger
8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
Genesis 4:6–7
God’s warning to angry Cain
6And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
Proverbs 14:29
Slow to wrath, great understanding
29He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
Ephesians 4:32
Kind, tenderhearted, forgiving
32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
James 1:19–20
Listen first, speak later
19Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
Ephesians 4:26–27
Do not let anger linger
26Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27Neither give place to the devil.
Ephesians 4:31
Put bitterness away
31Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer calms
1A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Psalms 37:8
Let go of anger and fretting
8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
Proverbs 16:32
Self-control is real strength
32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Proverbs 19:11
The glory of overlooking an offense
11The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
Proverbs 29:11
Wisdom holds back
11A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
Colossians 3:8
Take off anger like old clothes
8But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Romans 12:19–21
Leave payback to God
19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (public domain). Read aloud by Anthony.