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Probably none of us can honestly say that we never have a problem with poorly controlled anger, though some certainly do control it better than others.
The best solution to an anger problem is to thoroughly memorize many scriptures relating to anger. When we are filled with God's Word, the Holy Spirit can bring it to our attention at the moment we are in danger of losing control. Make it your goal to memorize many of these verses over the next few weeks and months. Then, when you are in a situation when you are likely to become angry, stop! Think! And begin to quote Scripture!
Watch out for two traps! (1) Excusing anger by renaming it ("hurt", "irritation", "being frustrated", "righteousness indignation", etc.); and (2) excusing anger by blaming others for causing it. God does not condone selfish anger regardless of how others treat you (see Luke 6:22-23, for example). The only righteous anger is anger whose aim is to motivate others to repent of sin. And even then it is "controlled" anger. Righteous anger is anger that is motivated by intense love.
I pray that God gives you great victory over this sin that can be so terribly destructive!
In Christ,
Steve Hall
An asterisk (*) indicates scriptures you may wish to memorize first.
You may wish to focus on one passage each day of the month (with two days left
over to review your "special" verses).
1. "Cease from anger, and forsake
wrath; fret not yourself, it leads only to evildoing." (Psalm 37:8)
2: "A fool's vexation is known at
once, but a prudent man conceals dishonor." (Proverbs 12:16)
3. "A quick-tempered man acts
foolishly." (Proverbs 14:17)
* 4. "He who is slow to anger has great
understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly." (Proverbs 14:29)
5. "A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Proverbs 15:1)
6. "A hot-tempered man stirs up
strife, but the slow to anger pacifies contention." (Proverbs 15:18)
7. "A perverse man spreads
strife." (Proverbs 16:28)
* 8. "He who is slow to anger is better
than the mighty, and he who rules his
spirit, than he who captures a city."
(Proverbs 16:32)
9. "The beginning of strife is like
letting out water, so abandon the quarrel before it breaks out." (Proverbs 17:14)
10. "A man's discretion makes him slow
to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression." (Proverbs 19:11)
11. "Keeping away from strife is a~
honor for a man, but only a fool will quarrel (lit. 'burst out')." (Proverbs 20:3)
12. "Do not associate with a man given
to anger; or go with a hot-tempered man, lest you learn his ways and find a
snare for yourself." (Proverbs 22:24-25)
* 13. "Like a city that is broken into and
without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit." (Proverbs 25:28)
14. "Like charcoal to hot embers and
wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife." (Proverbs 26:21)
15. "A stone is heavy and the sand
weighty, but the provocation of a fool is heavier than both of them. Wrath is
fierce and anger is a flood."
(Proverbs 27:3-4)
* 16. "A fool always loses his temper, but a
wise man holds it back." (Proverbs 29:11)
17. "An angry man stirs up strife, and
a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression." (Proverbs 29:22)
18. "For the churning of milk produces
butter, and pressing the nose brings forth blood; so the churning of anger
produces strife." (Proverbs 30:33)
19. "Do not be eager in your heart to
be angry, for anger resides in the bosom of fools." (Ecclesiastes 7:9)
20. "But I say to you that everyone who
is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever shall
say to his brother, 'Raca' (a term of contempt), shall be guilty before the
Supreme Court; and whoever shall say
'You fool', shall be guilty enough to go into the hell of fire. If
therefore you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember
that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before
the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come
and present your offering." (Matthew
5:22-24)
21. "If possible, so far as it depends
on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but
leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will
repay, says the Lord.' But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty,
give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head. Do
not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:18-21)
* 22. "Love is patient, love is kind,...
does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked,... bears
all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
(I Corinthians 13:4-7)
* 23. "Now the deeds of the flesh are
evident, which are... enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes,
dissensions... and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have
forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the
kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there
is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with
its passions and desires." (Galatians
5:19-24)
* 24. "Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not
let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an
opportunity." (Ephesians 4:26-27)
* 25. "Let no unwholesome word proceed from
your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the
need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve
the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let
all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you,
along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving
each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:29-32)
26. "But now you also, put them all aside:
anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth." (Colossians 3:8)
27. "And so, as those who have been
chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another and forgiving each
other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you,
so also should you." (Colossians 3:12-13)
* 28. "This you know, my beloved brethren.
But let every one be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for the
anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God." (James 1:19-20)
29. "To sum up, let all be harmonious,
sympathetic, brotherly, kind-hearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil
for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were
called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing." (I Peter 3:8-9)
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