Do you ever have arguments with your spouse or loved ones? It can be hard to move on from the conflict and let go of even small irritations. The Bible offers some words of advice: never go to bed angry!
Today, we’ll explore some Bible verses about never going to bed angry to help you work through disputes with kindness and grace.
Never Go to Bed Angry Bible Verses
Ephesians 4:26
“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, stresses the importance of managing one’s anger effectively. Anger in itself isn’t necessarily a sin, but how we respond to it can lead us astray. Leaving anger unresolved, particularly overnight, gives it the chance to grow, possibly fostering bitterness and resentment.
James 1:19
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
James highlights a balanced way of communication. Quick listening suggests empathy and understanding, while slow speaking and becoming angry reflect patience and control. Holding onto anger often obstructs this balance and builds barriers to peace and reconciliation.
Proverbs 15:18
“A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a dispute.”
Solomon’s wisdom in Proverbs reminds us that anger is often the fuel for conflict. Patience, on the other hand, has the power to deescalate disputes. Emphasizing patience over anger before retiring for the night keeps the atmosphere calm and conducive for peaceful sleep.
Colossians 3:8
“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”
This verse suggests a call to a higher standard of conduct for believers. The Apostle Paul reminds us that unchecked anger and its manifestations should be abandoned. It implies that dealing with anger before sleep is a part of maintaining this standard.
Ecclesiastes 7:9
“Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.”
Solomon’s wisdom in Ecclesiastes shows us that giving in to quick anger is a foolish decision. It’s a call to practice restraint and wisdom in handling anger, and an implied suggestion to resolve any anger before the day’s end.
Also Read: 30 Bible Verses About Denying God (With Commentary)
Proverbs 14:17
“A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.”
This verse from Proverbs accentuates the potential folly that can arise from being quick-tempered. A calm and rational approach to conflict resolution, including dealing with anger before it can fester overnight, is far more fruitful.
Psalm 37:8
“Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.”
The psalmist’s advice is clear: let go of anger and wrath because it only leads to evil. By implication, if we hold onto our anger overnight, we may be inviting negative consequences. This suggests the importance of reconciliation and peace before sleep.
Matthew 5:22
“But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.”
Jesus, in His sermon on the mount, brings forth a revolutionary perspective on anger. He emphasizes that anger towards others, if unresolved, has spiritual consequences, underscoring the importance of resolving conflicts and mitigating anger before the day ends.
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Paul’s letter to the Galatians provides a list of virtues that the Spirit produces in believers, including patience and self-control. These virtues are fundamental in managing anger, implying the importance of exercising them to resolve any anger before the end of the day.
Proverbs 19:11
“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
This verse from Proverbs points to patience and forgiveness as signs of wisdom. In the context of dealing with anger, it suggests the importance of addressing offenses and disagreements in a timely manner, particularly before nightfall, to prevent lingering resentment.
Proverbs 29:11
“Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.”
Again, Solomon’s wisdom portrays the negative impact of uncontrolled anger and the importance of wisdom in calming situations. Holding onto anger overnight contradicts the wisdom of resolving issues and calming the situation as soon as possible.
Romans 12:19
“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.”
Paul urges the Romans to step away from personal revenge. Revenge often is a byproduct of unchecked anger, which can grow if held overnight. This verse subtly underscores the need to let go of anger and leave judgment to God.
Ephesians 4:31
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”
Paul’s instructions in his letter to the Ephesians are clear: get rid of all forms of anger and malice. As such, it encourages believers to tackle any issues, including anger, before they have the chance to escalate or cause further harm, particularly before the end of the day.
Proverbs 15:1
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
This proverbial wisdom emphasizes the power of words. Gentle words can defuse anger, suggesting that a mindful, gentle approach in dealing with conflicts and anger before nightfall could prevent unnecessary hostility.
2 Timothy 2:23-24
“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.”
Paul’s advice to Timothy is to avoid arguments that lead to quarrels and anger. As servants of the Lord, we’re encouraged to practice kindness and patience, which implies addressing and resolving anger before it has the chance to evolve into resentment.
Romans 14:19
“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”
Paul encourages the Romans to pursue peace and mutual edification. In dealing with anger, this suggests that peace should be sought out before the day concludes to prevent the escalation of conflict.
Titus 3:2
“To slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.”
Paul’s advice to Titus and, by extension, to all believers, is to avoid slander and exercise peace and gentleness towards all. This guidance applies when dealing with anger, pointing to the necessity of resolving conflicts and calming anger before sleep.
Proverbs 17:14
“Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.”
Proverbs again gives us a clear image of how quickly a quarrel, fueled by anger, can escalate. The verse encourages us to “drop the matter” – suggesting it’s wise to resolve anger and potential disputes before they can fester, such as overnight.
Proverbs 20:3
“It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.”
This verse further emphasizes the honor in avoiding unnecessary conflict. As such, it points to the wisdom of addressing and resolving anger before it leads to quarrel, ideally before the day ends.
1 Peter 3:9
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
Peter reminds believers of their calling to respond to negativity with blessings, not more negativity. This verse implies the need to resolve any anger before the day concludes, replacing it with a blessing and preventing the continuation of a cycle of negativity.
James 4:1
“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?”
James points out the root causes of quarrels and fights: internal conflicts and desires. Resolving anger before it escalates into fights and quarrels, particularly before the day ends, can help maintain peace and understanding.
Luke 6:27
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”
In this verse, Jesus commands us to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us. This teaching suggests that, even when anger surfaces, we are to respond with love and goodness. Hence, it implies the importance of dealing with anger and choosing love before the day ends.
Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
In the Beatitudes, Jesus pronounces blessings on those who make peace. This verse implies that dealing with and calming anger before it escalates into conflict, particularly before the end of the day, is a behavior blessed by God.
Psalm 34:14
“Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
The Psalmist encourages us to turn from evil, do good, and seek peace. The pursuit of peace requires managing and resolving anger in a timely manner, ideally before the day concludes.
Romans 12:18
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Paul’s words to the Romans are a call to live at peace with everyone. This peace requires addressing and resolving anger before it can create conflict, ideally before the day concludes. This guidance reinforces the concept of never going to bed angry.
Hebrews 12:14
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
The author of Hebrews exhorts readers to strive for peace with everyone and to live a holy life. This peace includes resolving any anger before it festers, promoting a peaceful environment that aligns with the call to holiness.
Proverbs 30:33
“For as churning cream produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife.”
This Proverb provides a vivid analogy to explain the outcome of provoked anger – strife. This suggests the importance of settling disagreements and calming anger before it can lead to more serious conflict, ideally before the day ends.
Matthew 5:24
“Leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus commands the listener to reconcile with others before offering gifts at the altar. This indicates the importance Jesus placed on resolving conflicts and alleviating anger before continuing with religious duties. Applying this to our topic, it stresses the necessity of dealing with anger before the day concludes.
Also Read: 24 Bible Verses About the Path of the Righteous Man (With Commentary)
James 3:17-18
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”
James characterizes heavenly wisdom as peace-loving, considerate, and full of mercy among other virtues. As peacemakers, we’re called to sow in peace and manage anger efficiently, which includes resolving any lingering anger before the end of the day. This peacefulness cultivates a “harvest of righteousness,” benefiting not just the individual but those around them as well.