The Bible says, ‘A shortsighted fool always loses his temper and displays his anger, but a wise man [uses self-control and] holds it back.’ You can express anger verbally or through silence. When you use silence as a weapon to hurt someone, you’re resorting to emotional manipulation and indulging in childish immaturity.

When you were a child and someone refused to do what you wanted, do you remember saying, ‘I’m not talking to you anymore’? That may be acceptable behaviour for a child, but not those who are called to be spiritually mature. If you’re given to frequent outbursts of temper, here are some Scriptures you’d do well to take to heart:

(1) ‘Better…one with self-control than one who takes a city.’ (Proverbs 16:32 NIV)

(2) ‘A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offence.’ (Proverbs 19:11 NIV)

(3) ‘Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.’ (Ecclesiastes 7:9 NIV)

(4) ‘Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.’ (James 1:19–20 NIV)

(5) ‘Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.’ (Ephesians 4:31–32 NIV)

So ask God to help you get your anger under control. Remember: anger is like fire: when it’s kept under control, it’s like a flame that draws people to a cause you’re passionate about. But when it’s out of control, it can destroy everything in its path.