11 Passages to Read to Help Fight Anger

This article is part of the Passages to Read series.

1. James 1:19–20

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. Read More

2. Proverbs 14:29

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

3. Matthew 5:21–24

“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. So 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.” Read More

4. Psalm 103:8–10

The LORD is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities. Read More

5. Proverbs 19:11

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

6. Ecclesiastes 7:9

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

7. Ephesians 4:25–27

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Read More

8. Proverbs 15:1

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

9. Colossians 3:5–8

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Read More

10. Proverbs 29:22

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

11. Ephesians 4:31–32

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. Read More