Anger is a powerful emotion that, when not controlled, can lead to strife and contention. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on the consequences of anger and its potential to disrupt peace and harmony among individuals and communities.

Biblical Instances of Anger Leading to Strife:

1. Cain and Abel: One of the earliest examples of anger leading to strife is found in the account of Cain and Abel. Cain's anger towards his brother Abel, due to God's favor on Abel's offering, resulted in the first murder. Genesis 4:5-8 states, "but He had no regard for Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell. Then the LORD said to Cain, 'Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it.' Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let us go out to the field.' And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him."

2. Moses and the Israelites: Moses, a leader chosen by God, also struggled with anger. His frustration with the Israelites' constant complaints led him to strike the rock at Meribah instead of speaking to it as God commanded. This act of anger resulted in Moses being denied entry into the Promised Land. Numbers 20:10-12 recounts, "Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly in front of the rock, and Moses said to them, 'Listen now, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?' Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that a great amount of water gushed out, and the congregation and their livestock were able to drink. But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 'Because you did not trust Me to show My holiness in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land I have given them.'"

Teachings on Anger and Its Consequences:

1. Proverbs on Anger: The Book of Proverbs offers wisdom on the dangers of anger and its connection to strife. Proverbs 15:18 states, "A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms a dispute." Similarly, Proverbs 29:22 warns, "An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression."

2. New Testament Guidance: The New Testament continues to address the issue of anger. In Ephesians 4:26-27 , Paul advises, "Be angry, yet do not sin. Do not let the sun set upon your anger, and do not give the devil a foothold." This passage highlights the importance of resolving anger quickly to prevent it from leading to sin and division.

3. James on Anger: The Epistle of James emphasizes the need for self-control and the dangers of unchecked anger. James 1:19-20 instructs, "My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man's anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires."

Practical Implications for Believers:

Believers are called to exercise self-control and to seek peace in their interactions with others. Anger, when left unchecked, can lead to destructive behaviors and damage relationships. The Bible encourages believers to pursue reconciliation and to be peacemakers, as seen in Matthew 5:9 , "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."

In summary, the Bible provides clear guidance on the dangers of anger and its potential to cause strife and contention. Believers are encouraged to manage their anger, seek reconciliation, and strive for peace in their relationships.Proverbs 21:19
It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 29:22
An angry man stirs up strife, and a furious man abounds in transgression.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 30:33
Surely the churning of milk brings forth butter, and the wringing of the nose brings forth blood: so the forcing of wrath brings forth strife.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Unity of the Divine Essence in Three Persons Taught, in ...
... those ancient writers as men of strife and contention, for ... hence arises that subsistence,
which, though connected with the ... that he was provoked to anger by the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 13 the unity of.htm

The Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the ...
... others, equally painful, as regards the anger of the ... other point must be mentioned
as connected with Purifications. ... have passed, and that fatal strife is still ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxxi the cavils of.htm

Christian Perfection
... commit sin, when he provoked God at the waters of strife? ... in me, and I live not,
are inseparably connected; for "what ... 5:30] And he is pure from anger, in the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 40 christian perfection.htm

Introductory.
... revival, both that which is chiefly connected with the ... the Constitution had not excited
half the anger and alarm ... In the midst of all that strife of parties ...
/.../abbey/the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter i introductory.htm

Introduction. Chapter i. --Life of S. Cyril.
... Deacon, and as Priest, matters closely connected with some ... of Constantius, and roused
his anger against the ... might be involved in fraternal strife [56] ." Cyril ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/introduction chapter i life of s.htm

Summa Theologica
... man? Whether angels grieve for the ills of those whom they guard? Whether
there can be strife or discord among the angels? OF THE ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/

Galatians Chapter I.
... For, if they were necessarily connected with this life, as ... has been called forth
by anger, but to ... in exchange for these, persecution, enmity, strife, and daily ...
/.../galatians chapter i.htm

Of Civil Government.
... With this is connected another question "viz. ... or hatred "far from the ardour of strife,
he is ... corrupted by envy, burning with anger, breathing revenge, or ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

The General Conference of 1828
... have caused and fomented discord and strife in circles ... we have no doubt, unwarily
became connected at first ... Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor ...
/.../chapter 9 the general conference.htm

Appendix iv. An Abstract of Jewish History from the Reign of ...
... and always harshly, and in the charges connected with its ... The anger and threats of
the king were appeased ... Weary of the strife, Jannai asked the Pharisaic party ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix iv an abstract of.htm

How can I know for sure that my anger is righteous indignation? | GotQuestions.org

Was Jesus ever angry? | GotQuestions.org

Does God get angry? | GotQuestions.org

Anger: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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