DEALING WITH ANGER AND TEMPER
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: Ephesians 4:26-27
"Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil."
Supporting Texts: Proverbs 14:29; James 1:19-20; Ecclesiastes 7:9; Colossians 3:8; Psalm 37:8
INTRODUCTION:
Anger is a natural human emotion, but when left unchecked, it becomes a dangerous weapon in the hands of the devil. The Bible acknowledges that we will get angry, but warns us not to sin in our anger or allow it to linger.
Many people have destroyed relationships, careers, reputations, and even their spiritual lives due to uncontrolled temper. Anger opens the door to bitterness, violence, revenge, and many other sinful behaviours.
This study seeks to expose the dangers of uncontrolled anger, identify its roots, and provide practical, biblical steps for managing and overcoming it through the help of the Holy Spirit.
1. UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF ANGER
Anger itself is not a sin, but how we respond to it determines if we fall into sin or not.
a) Anger is a God-given emotion
God Himself gets angry (Psalm 7:11), but His anger is righteous and controlled.
b) Uncontrolled anger leads to sin
Ephesians 4:26 – “Be ye angry, and sin not...”
c) Anger reveals the condition of the heart
Luke 6:45 – “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”
d) Temper is a sign of immaturity
Proverbs 14:29 – “He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding.”
Biblical Example:
Moses lost his temper and struck the rock instead of speaking to it. This act cost him entry into the Promised Land (Numbers 20:7-12).
2. THE DANGERS OF UNCONTROLLED ANGER
Allowing anger to control you opens the door to the enemy and leads to destruction.
a) Anger hinders prayer and fellowship with God
1 Timothy 2:8 – “Lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”
b) It leads to broken relationships
Proverbs 15:18 – “A wrathful man stirreth up strife.”
c) It gives place to the devil
Ephesians 4:27 – “Neither give place to the devil.”
d) It can result in regretful actions
Genesis 4:5–8 – Cain’s anger led him to murder his brother Abel.
Biblical Example:
King Saul’s uncontrolled anger against David turned him into a bitter and paranoid man who lost his throne (1 Samuel 18:6–12).
3. ROOT CAUSES OF ANGER AND TEMPER
To deal with anger, we must address the roots and not just the fruit.
a) Pride and ego
Proverbs 13:10 – “Only by pride cometh contention.”
b) Unforgiveness and bitterness
Hebrews 12:15 – Bitterness troubles and defiles.
c) Frustration and unmet expectations
Jonah 4:1 – Jonah was angry when God didn’t destroy Nineveh.
d) Generational patterns and habits
Exodus 34:7 – Iniquities passed to the third and fourth generation.
Biblical Example:
Esau harboured anger toward Jacob and planned to kill him after losing his blessing (Genesis 27:41).
4. BIBLICAL STRATEGIES FOR DEALING WITH ANGER
Scripture provides us with practical steps to overcome anger and temper.
a) Be slow to speak and quick to listen
James 1:19 – “Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”
b) Control your tongue in moments of anger
Proverbs 15:1 – “A soft answer turneth away wrath.”
c) Forgive and release offence quickly
Colossians 3:13 – “Forgive one another...”
d) Pray for the help of the Holy Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23 – Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit.
Biblical Example:
Stephen forgave those who stoned him to death, showing the spirit of Christ even under pressure (Acts 7:59-60).
5. LIVING A LIFE OF PEACE AND SELF-CONTROL
God calls us to live in peace with others and exercise control over our emotions.
a) Pursue peace with all men
Hebrews 12:14 – “Follow peace with all men...”
b) Seek to reconcile quickly
Matthew 5:23–24 – Leave your gift and reconcile first.
c) Develop emotional and spiritual maturity
1 Corinthians 13:11 – “When I became a man, I put away childish things.”
d) Renew your mind with the Word
Romans 12:2 – “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Biblical Example:
Jesus, even when provoked and falsely accused, remained calm and chose silence before His accusers (Matthew 27:12-14).
CONCLUSION:
Anger is a fire that must be managed before it burns down everything around you. The devil uses uncontrolled temper as a weapon to sabotage destinies. As believers, we must identify our triggers, confront the root causes, and walk in the Spirit daily.
The Holy Spirit gives us the power to master our emotions. Let us seek His help, lean on God’s Word, and live as peacemakers in a world full of offence and provocation.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, deliver me from every spirit of anger and uncontrollable temper.
2. Holy Spirit, teach me to be slow to wrath and quick to forgive.
3. Father, heal every wound in me that fuels bitterness and rage.
4. Lord Jesus, help me to reflect Your nature of gentleness and peace.
5. By the blood of Jesus, I break every generational curse of anger in my family.
