# What does the Bible say about anger?

> What the Bible says about anger — verses on being slow to anger, not letting it lead to sin, and a next step toward peace.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/anger
By Andrew Kittridge, Founder of Lumin · June 15, 2026

The Bible does not forbid all anger — even God is described as angry at injustice — but it treats anger as something to handle with great care. The repeated counsel is to be slow to it, to keep it from hardening into sin, and not to let it set up residence in us.

## Key verses

- **James 1:19-20** — Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; human anger doesn’t produce God’s righteousness.
- **Ephesians 4:26-27** — Be angry without sinning; don’t let the sun go down on it or give the devil a foothold.
- **Proverbs 15:1** — A gentle answer turns away wrath; a harsh word stirs up anger.
- **Proverbs 29:11** — A fool vents all his anger, but a wise person holds it back.

## Highlighted verse

> Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
>
> — James 1:19-20 (King James Version)

## Reflection

Scripture’s wisdom is about timing and direction. Anger that listens first, cools before it speaks, and refuses to nurse a grudge overnight can be honest without becoming destructive. The goal is not numbness but anger that has been handed to God before it is handed to anyone else.

## A faithful next step

Before you respond to the thing that’s provoking you, pause and pray James 1:19 — quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to wrath.

## Related questions

- [What the Bible says about forgiveness](https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/forgiveness.md)
- [What the Bible says about anxiety](https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/anxiety.md)
- [What the Bible says about hope](https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/hope.md)

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Answered by Lumin, a Christian AI app for iPhone that gives short, Scripture-cited
answers with one next step. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lumin-faith-bible-ai/id6754889412