8 Bible Verses About Anger and Self-Control (KJV)

8 KJV Bible verses about anger, patience and self-control, with short reflections and a prayer for when you're about to lose your temper.

Ricky Palmos

10/2/20262 min read

Anger isn't always wrong, but it's easy to let it drive. The Bible gives wise, practical guidance for heated moments: listen first, speak softly, and don't let anger settle in. Here are eight King James verses to read before you react.

The verses

1. James 1:19-20 (KJV)

"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."

The order matters: listen first, speak second, and be slow to anger.

2. Proverbs 15:1 (KJV)

"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."

A soft answer can change the direction of a whole conversation.

3. Proverbs 16:32 (KJV)

"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city."

Real strength isn't winning the argument. It's ruling your own spirit.

4. Ephesians 4:31-32 (KJV)

"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

Paul lists what to put away, then what to put on: kindness and forgiveness.

5. Psalm 37:8 (KJV)

"Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil."

"Fret not" is a reminder that stewing on anger often leads to doing wrong.

6. Ephesians 4:26-27 (KJV)

"Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil."

Feeling angry isn't always sin, but settle it quickly. Don't carry it to bed.

7. Proverbs 29:11 (KJV)

"A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards."

Not every thought needs to be said out loud. Wisdom waits.

8. Proverbs 14:29 (KJV)

"He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly."

Understanding the other person often cools anger. Ask a question before you react.

A prayer for patience

Lord, I'm angry right now, and I don't want to say something I'll regret. Slow me down. Help me be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Calm my heart. Amen.

Putting it into practice

  • Count to ten, slowly, before responding in a heated moment.

  • Take a short walk and pray before continuing a hard conversation.

  • Apologize quickly when you've spoken too sharply.