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Feeling anger in itself is not a sin -

Instead, it’s what we do with our anger that may or may not be a sin. Ephesians 4:26-27 reads: “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.”

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Take a deep breath -

Sometimes feeling anger is inevitable, but it’s important to take a step back, to not escalate the situation, and to think before doing something stupid. “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly,” (Proverbs 14:29).

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Choose your words carefully -

Words are powerful, and the wrong ones can cause a lot of damage, so it’s important to speak with care so as not to evoke anger. “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger,” (Proverbs 15:1).

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Control how you vent your rage -

Proverbs 29:11 tells us that, “Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.”

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Anger and wrath can lead you to a sinful path -

We’ve all done stupid things when we’re angry, so it’s always good to remember to, “Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil,” (Psalms 37:8).

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Anger leads to transgression -

The consequences of anger can indeed lead to transgression (or sin). “A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression,” (Proverbs 29:22).

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Try to overlook the offense -

While this might not be easy, thinking about it alone might help you not react so harshly. Proverbs 19:11 reads: “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”

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Don’t store anger in your heart -

Being moved by anger is not good for us, so we should express it somehow and not keep it in our hearts. “Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools," (Ecclesiastes 7:9)

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We should think about what makes us angry -

It’s important to take some time to think about why we’re angry. Indeed, this is a good way to deal with it. Psalm 4:4 tells us: “Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah.”

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Being slow to anger is important -

James 1:19-20 tells us: “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.”

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Being slow to anger is a demonstration of self-control -

Self-control is a pretty big deal in the Bible, and Proverbs 16:32 mentions just that: “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”

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Being slow to anger is a trait of godliness -

In fact, God himself is slow to anger. “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love,” (Psalm 103:8).

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God is slow to anger -

God is slow to anger, which is great news for all of us (sinners). “The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, 'The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,'” (Exodus 34:6).

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God’s anger doesn’t last forever -

Nor should yours. Love is the antidote. “Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love,” (Micah 7:18).

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Fits of anger are one of the works of the flesh -

Paul lists a number of works of the flesh in his letter to the Galatians. It reads: “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God,” (Galatians 5:19-21).

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Being hot-tempered is not good -

Again, being slow to anger can be beneficial. “A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention,” (Proverbs 15:18).

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Look for reconciliation first, and then go to God -

The Bible tells that, “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift,” (Matthew 5:23-24).

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Tell me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you who you are -

Hanging out with people who are constantly angry won’t do you any favors. Proverbs 22:24-25 is clear about this: “Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.”

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Being quick-tempered is not a desirable trait -

In his letter to Titus, Paul describes the traits to being a member of the Church, and mentions temper. “For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,” (Titus 1:7).

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Love will help us manage anger -

Love is the key to balancing anger. Indeed, 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 tell us that, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”

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Anger disrupts worship -

We should worship God with our hearts at peace. “I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling,” (1 Timothy 2:8).

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Strife comes from anger -

Anger is a trigger for conflict, and the Bible mentions this in Proverbs 30:33: “For pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife.”

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Feeding our anger may earn us a place in hell -

It may sound harsh, but Matthew 5:21-22 is clear when it comes to describing how God judges those who are angry with their brothers. It reads: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 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.”

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We are ought to act in love and kindness, not anger -

This is a message of Christ, so we should forgive, not act in anger. “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you,” (Ephesians 4:31-32).

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Being quick-tempered can have bad consequences -

“A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated,” (Proverbs 14:17). It’s safe to say that many of us have acted foolishly because of our quick tempers!

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Anger is one of the many offenses you should not entertain -

Colossians 3:8 is clear, when it says that, “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.”

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Righteous anger is legitimate -

Righteous anger, like the one Jesus felt towards the religious leaders who turned God’s temple into a marketplace, is legitimate. “And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, 'It is written, "My house shall be called a house of prayer," but you make it a den of robbers,'” (Matthew 21:12-13).

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It’s okay to be rightfully angry about some things -

Just like Jesus was with the religious leaders who would not heal a man because it was Sabbath. Jesus went ahead and healed the man anyway. “And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.' He stretched it out, and his hand was restored,” (Mark 3:5).

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Leave revenge in God’s hands -

When we are angry, we may find ourselves plotting revenge. This is not our job to do. The Bible tells us to leave it to God. “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord,'” (Romans 12:19).

Sources: (Just Disciple) (Bible Study Tools) 

See also: History's most shockingly brutal acts of revenge

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