How can I overcome anger?

BibleAsk Team

Overcoming 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

James and John possessed a fiery temper that was manifested openly (Luke 9:49, 52–56) and Jesus named them the “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17; Luke 9:54). But through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, these two disciples were freed from the spirit of anger.

The Bible gives us principles that help us overcome anger:

  • Beholding Christ daily through the study of His Word for by beholding we get changed (12 Corinthians 3:18).
  • Confessing our wrongs to God and to others who have been hurt by our anger (Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9).
  • Practicing the golden rule: “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them” (Matthew 7:12).
  • Controlling our tongues from saying hasty words (Proverbs 29:11) and cultivating a calm spirit by not raising the voice (Proverbs 15:1). Avoid using the language of the world which fuel’s anger (Romans 3:13-14).
  • Hastening to fix our problems and do not let the sun go down on our anger (Ephesians 4:26-27).
  • Knowing that as Christians we should love our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48).
  • Realizing that trials help us grow spiritually (James 1:2-4; Romans 8:28-29).
  • Allowing God to defend us instead of us taking things into our own hands (Genesis 50:20).
  • Dwelling on the goodness of God (Psalm 145:8, 9, 17) and not on the shortcomings of others.
  • Believing in the timely justice of God for He said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay” (Romans 12:19).
  • Returning good for evil instead of evil for evil (Genesis 50:21; Romans 12:21).
  • Communicating to solve problems instead of being angry (Ephesians 4:15, 25-32).
  • Attacking the problem, not the person (Ephesians 4:29, 31).
  • Adopting the Christian graces of love, kindness, patience… (1 Corinthians 13).
  • Praying without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
  • Claiming God’s promises for complete victory (Philippians 4:13; 1 Corinthians 15:57).

In His service,
BibleAsk Team

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