Let me hasten to say, that it is usually sinful and to be avoided.

1) God is angry with the wicked every day. Psa. 7:11, "God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day."

2) God was angry with King Solomon. I Kings 11:9, "And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice."

3) God was angry with the nation of Israel. II Kings 17:18, "Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only."

4) Christians are warned against sinful anger. Eph. 4:26, "Be ye angry, and sin not."

Prov. 14:17, "He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated."

Prov. 14:29, "He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly."

Prov. 16:32, "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city."

Eccl. 7:9, "Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools."

James 1:19-20, "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."

Prov. 10:12, "Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins."

Prov. 12:16, "A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame."

Prov. 17:9, "He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends."

Prov. 19:11, "The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression."

I Pet. 4:8, "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins."

I Cor. 13:4-5, "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil."

Gen. 4:5-7, "But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him." "WROTH means to be hot, furious, burn, become angry, be kindled."

Job 5:2, "For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one."

Prov. 15:1, "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."

Prov. 10:12, "Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins."

Prov. 15:18, "A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife."

Prov. 26:21, "As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife."

Prov. 22:24-25, "Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul."

Prov. 26:21, "As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife."

II Cor. 6:14, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"

Prov. 25:28, "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls."

Prov. 29:22, "An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression."

Prov. 30:33, "Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife."

James 3:16, "For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."

Gal. 5:19-21 "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

"STRIFE is also translated contention or contentious. It means electioneering or intriguing for office. Apparently, in the NT a courting distinction, a desire to put one's self forward, a partisan and fractious spirit which does not disdain low arts. This word is found before NT times only in Aristotle where it denotes a self-seeking pursuit of political office by unfair means."

Gal. 5:22-25, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

Eph. 4:26-27, Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil."

Psa. 37:8, "Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil."

Rom. 12:19, "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."

"Individuals who harbor hostility and anger toward others are five times more likely to die from heart disease." --Dr. Redford B. Williams, Duke University Medical Center

Recipe for marital happiness, be willing to say: (1) I should not have said it, (2) I am sorry, (3) Please forgive me, (4) I love you. (Try it. It works).

Psa. 19:14, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer."

Psa. 68:18 "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me."

Prov. 8:6-8, "Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them."

Prov. 8:13, "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate."

Eph. 4:29-33, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 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."

Col. 3:8-9, But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds."

Col. 4:6, "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."

Prov. 15:1, "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."

James 1:19, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath."

Prov. 13:3, "He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction."

Prov. 18:13, "He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him."

Prov. 21:23, "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles."

Prov. 10:12, "Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins."

I John 2:9, "He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now."

Gen. 37:4, "And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him."

Luke 15:28, "And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him." The eldest son was jealous of his prodigal brother and talked against him.

Exodus 20:16, "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour."

Eph. 4:25, "Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another."

Prov. 12:22, "Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight."

Prov. 6:16-19, "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."

John 8:44, "...there is no truth in him (the devil). When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."

Prov. 19:9, "A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish."

Prov. 11:11-13, "By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter."

Prov. 12:18, "There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health."

Prov. 17:27-28, "He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding."

Prov. 20:19, "He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips."

Prov. 21:23, "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles."

II Thess. 3:11, "For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies."

I Tim. 5:13, "And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not."

I Pet. 4:15, "But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters."

James 1:26, "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain."

James 3:1-12, "1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemna tion. 2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh."

Eph. 4:31-32, "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."

The phrase, "be put away," is in the imperative mood, which means that it is an absolute commandment, and not an invitation or option. Notice also the company of sins that bitterness has been listed with.

Gal. 5:15, "But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another." This word "bite" means "to bite with the teeth, (metaphorically), to wound the soul, cut lacerate, rend with reproaches."

I Cor. 3:3, "For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?"

Gal. 5:19-21, "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

Psa. 64:3, "Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words."

Acts 8:23, "For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity."

Rom. 3:14, "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."

Heb. 12:15-17, "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears."

Gen. 27:41, "And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob."

James 3:14-15, "But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish."

Deut. 32:31-32, "For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges. For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter" It is evident that this is the fruit of lost people, and should not be so with the saved.

Isa. 5:20, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"

Gen. 4:3-8, "And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him."

See Genesis 37, and you will note how the bitterness of Joseph's brothers caused them to hate him. As a result of this bitterness, they sold him as a slave.

I John 2:9-11, "He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes."

Lev. 19:17, "Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him."

Psa. 64:2-4, "Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity: Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words: That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not."

Job 13:26, "For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth." The comforters of Job wrote bitter things against him.

Prov. 26:24-26, "He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation."

I John 3:15, "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him."

I John 3:11-20, "11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. 13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things."