25 Bible verses to help you choose forgiveness over anger (2023)

FAQs

What does God say about anger and forgiveness? ›

Ephesians 4:26

“If you become angry, do not let your anger lead you into sin, and do not stay angry all day.” The Good News: When we're angry, we may do something we might regret later or act in a way that could hurt those around us. Wait until the anger dissipates before making a decision or taking action.

Anger and forgiveness are partners

In reality, anger and forgiveness work together (and often at the same time) in any real healing process. Though anger and forgiveness may seem to be opposing forces, they are actually completely equal partners in the journey toward healing.

"Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil." "But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness." "Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly."

Psalm 37:8 advises us, “Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself, it tends only to evil.” Back to Paul's letter to the Ephesians 4:2, we read, “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bear with one another in love.”

Acknowledge your emotions about the harm done to you, recognize how those emotions affect your behavior, and work to release them. Choose to forgive the person who's offended you. Release the control and power that the offending person and situation have had in your life.

The three types of forgiveness are: exoneration, forbearance and release.

Forgiveness can help you reconcile

First, it's important to understand that you can forgive someone without resuming contact or picking a relationship back up. You can forgive someone even if you know you can never have the same relationship. Depending on the circumstances, you may even need to avoid contact.

God's forgiveness is actually said to be conditional upon forgiving others ( Matt 6:14 ; 18:35 ; Mark 11:25-26 ; Luke 6:37 ). Jesus says that there ought to be no limit on the number of times that one should forgive another so long as the offender repents and asks for forgiveness ( Matt 18:21-22 ; Luke 17:3-4 )."

Psalm 37:8 implores me to “refrain from anger” for it “leads only to evil”. James 1:20 warns me that “human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires”. Lord, I want to live a righteous life and I want to please You.

Where in the Bible does it say be slow to anger and quick to forgive? ›

3. 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. We are warned again in James to be slow to anger.

Is it any wonder why James tells us, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger” (James 1:19).

Feelings of anger arise due to how we interpret and react to certain situations. Everyone has their own triggers for what makes them angry, but some common ones include situations in which we feel: threatened or attacked. frustrated or powerless.

19 Dearly beloved, ^aavenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Forgiveness is so powerful, because it invites you to change your mind about yourself. It encourages you to accept that although the ego feels guilty as hell, there is nothing wrong with the essence of who you are. Yes, you may have made mistakes in the past, but you are not your mistakes.

Responsibility: Accept what has happened and show yourself compassion. Remorse: Use guilt and remorse as a gateway to positive behaviour change. Restoration: Make amends with whomever you're forgiving, even if it's yourself. Renewal: Learn from the experience and grow as a person.

What does God say to do when someone hurts you? ›

Jesus said, "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:27-28 NIV) In the following verses Jesus gives several specific examples of how to treat those who have hurt you, and He concludes with, "Be merciful, just as ...

“In fact, mental health experts recommend forgiving those who have hurt you to improve your mental health and well-being.” Remember that when healing a friendship, you also need to heal yourself.

Why should we forgive? The Stanford Forgiveness Project has shown that learning to forgive lessens the amount of hurt, anger, stress and depression that people experience. People who forgive also become more hopeful, optimistic and compassionate and have enhanced conflict resolution skills.

There is both unilateral forgiveness and transactional forgiveness. Unilateral forgiveness occurs when you forgive someone and yet the person has not asked for it, requested it, or even repented of what they did to you. Unilaterally means that on your own—without their involvement—you choose to grant them forgiveness.

Learning to let go

There are two sides to forgiveness: decisional and emotional. Decisional forgiveness involves a conscious choice to replace ill will with good will.

Psalm 25

Key verse: Psalm 25:11, “For the sake of your name, Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.” Sometimes, the wrongs we do seem too big or too bad for God to ever forgive.

That's how many times the Bible tells us we should forgive someone. Matthew 18: 21-22 ²¹ Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” ²² Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Jesus, I believe you love me. Please forgive me for my sins. Help me to be a better person. Amen.

A man's wisdom gives him patience, it is to his glory to overlook an offense.

A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.

What is Proverbs 16 32? ›

ESV Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. NIV Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.

Psalm 37:8

"Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil."

He writes, “bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive” (Col. 3:13). Will God forgive you for holding a grudge? No—He will not.

Unresolved anger – Ephesians 4:26 says that we can be angry without sinning. But when anger is unresolved and allowed to stick with us, it turns into bitterness.

Anger itself is not a sin, but the strong emotion, unrestrained, can lead very quickly to sin. As God said to Cain, “It's desire is for you, but you must rule over it” (Genesis 4:7).

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

ESV If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. NIV To answer before listening-- that is folly and shame. NASB One who gives an answer before he hears, It is foolishness and shame to him.

It's okay to pray about your anger. Like David and other psalmists, you might even sing it (using a loud electric guitar, perhaps). And you'll probably find, when you've thoroughly expressed what you're feeling, you'll be in a better place to pray the things you know to be true.

Research shows that anger can be especially common if you have been betrayed by others. This may be most often seen in cases of trauma that involve exploitation or violence. The trauma and shock of early childhood abuse often affects how well the survivor learns to control his or her emotions.

What happens when you get angry too much? ›

Long-term, unresolved anger is linked to health conditions such as high blood pressure, depression, anxiety and heart disease. It's important to deal with anger in a healthy way that doesn't harm you or anyone else.

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

One example comes from Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God has forgiven you.”

Exodus 14:14 in Other Translations

14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." 14 The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

Anger itself is not a sin, but the strong emotion, unrestrained, can lead very quickly to sin. As God said to Cain, “It's desire is for you, but you must rule over it” (Genesis 4:7).

When you hold a grudge, you're recalling a past event and the negative emotions associated with it. It subjects your body to stress over a prolonged period, which has negative health effects. Rushing to forgive isn't good either, as it can make you minimize your emotions.

The most common appearance of anger in the Bible is God's rage against sin. Sin offends his perfect righteousness; its power rebels against his Lordship; its presence corrupts his creation. Sin demands his justice and judgment. Anger is meant to reveal an injustice, a wrong that needs righting.

How does God feel about anger? ›

Anger can be a protective energy. This is how God's anger is expressed in the Bible. God is not a volatile angry being who loses his cool now and then. Rather, God's anger is a measured and reasonable response to injustice and evil.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. '”